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Dating rumors involving aespa's Winter and BTS's Jungkook have generated considerable buzz in the K-pop community, prompting SM Entertainment to issue a stern warning against malicious online activities targeting Winter. The speculation, which began in late 2025, quickly escalated across social media and online forums, leading to widespread discussion among fans and the public. This situation highlights the intense scrutiny K-pop idols face and the measures agencies take to protect their artists.
The rumors originated from claims of "couple tattoos" featuring three dogs on their arms, alongside other alleged shared items like rings, in-ear monitors, and nails. Although both Big Hit Music and SM Entertainment maintained silence on the dating allegations, SM issued a legal warning in December 2025, followed by a more explicit statement on September 28, 2026, declaring "no leniency or settlement" for false information, defamation, and sexual harassment across platforms like X, Instagram, YouTube, and various Korean online communities. Bloggers also noted Winter's subsequent SNS posts consistently obscured her right arm, where the alleged tattoo was located. A saju (Korean fortune-telling) analysis even suggested Jungkook outwardly aligns with Winter's ideal partner type.
Local bloggers observed that the agencies' initial silence only intensified fan speculation, leading to protest trucks from Jungkook's fandom. SM's subsequent legal actions, particularly the second warning explicitly naming platforms, were seen as a significant escalation to protect Winter from persistent online harassment. The saju analysis provided a unique, culturally specific perspective on Winter's personality, describing her as sensitive, calculating, and having high standards for a partner, further fueling discussions around the rumored pairing.
