BTS Jungkook and aespa Winter Dating Rumors Surge as HYBE, SM Entertainment Respond
Speculation about a potential relationship between BTS's Jungkook and aespa's Winter has exploded across Korean social media, with both entertainment companies issuing brief statements amid growing controversy over the timing and evidence behind the claims.
What Started the Latest Wave
The rumors reignited on December 4, 2025, when netizens noticed both artists have tattoos featuring three dog faces on their arms. Online communities quickly labeled them potential "couple tattoos," though neither artist has addressed the ink's meaning or timing.
This isn't the first time the two have been linked. Dating speculation has followed them since July 2025, when fans connected dots between Jungkook's new Instagram handle and normal coincidences like both mentioning pizza or visiting Japan. Each wave has been met with ridicule from fans who view the "evidence" as absurd.
The "Evidence" in Question
Netizens have compiled several claims to support their theory:
The tattoos remain the centerpiece-both feature three dog faces, with Jungkook's on his left arm and Winter's on her right. Beyond that, shippers point to Jungkook attending an aespa concert during military leave (he was spotted in photos wearing a mask and fur hat), matching nail polish on their ring fingers days apart, similar accessories, and his Instagram username @mnijungkook.
Jungkook already addressed the Instagram theory. During a July livestream, he explained the handle means "My Name Is Jungkook." Despite this, some fans insisted rearranging letters could spell "Minjeong-kook" (Winter's real name is Kim Minjeong).
Agency Statements Fuel More Debate
HYBE told Korean media outlet My Daily on December 5: "We are checking." SM Entertainment declined to comment beyond saying they had no statement.
The response pattern differs from past handling. In 2021, HYBE swiftly denied Jungkook was dating actress Lee Yu Bi. SM Entertainment shot down Winter-ENHYPEN Jungwon rumors in 2024, calling them false and threatening legal action. The current silence has split opinions-some interpret it as confirmation, others see agencies choosing not to dignify baseless claims.
Fans Demand Protection from Harassment
Both artists have faced intense criticism and hate comments. Winter's supporters criticized SM Entertainment for posting about her Apple Music playlist on December 5 instead of addressing the harassment. They've demanded the company take legal action against malicious commenters spreading rumors.
"Protect your idol first before promoting," read one widely shared reaction.
Jungkook's fans have similarly defended him, calling out media outlets for publishing what they view as circumstantial nonsense that encourages shipping culture at artists' expense.
Suspicious Timing Raises Eyebrows
The sudden flood of dating articles coincided with major news about HYBE. On December 4, prosecutors announced they'd frozen approximately 156.8 billion KRW ($107 million) of HYBE founder Bang Si-hyuk's shares as part of an investigation into alleged IPO fraud from 2019-2020.
Multiple Korean entertainment sites-including Pannchoa-published numerous Jungkook-Winter articles on the same day the asset seizure was reported. Fans questioned whether the dating rumors served as a convenient distraction from more serious legal issues facing HYBE's leadership.
"Okay I'm seeing paanchoa koreaboo and random Accounts continuously posting this ship theories back to back like they are on a mission (payroll) to cover up something," one viral tweet noted.
What Both Artists Have Said
Jungkook addressed dating speculation during a 2023 livestream: "I don't have a girlfriend. I just want to focus on work. I don't feel the need to date. Please stop talking about me having a girlfriend. My girlfriend is ARMY."
Winter hasn't directly commented on the current rumors but previously dismissed dating speculation involving ENHYPEN's Jungwon in 2024.
Career Focus Remains Clear
Both artists are busy with upcoming projects. Jungkook completed military service in June 2025, and BTS is preparing for their group comeback in spring 2026. aespa announced their second full album will release in 2026.
The "evidence" linking them consists of normal coincidences-people who like dogs might get similar tattoos, attending a concert doesn't confirm romance, and an Instagram handle that Jungkook already explained. Yet the speculation persists, driven by shipping culture and amplified by entertainment media.
As fans await clearer statements from both companies, the incident highlights ongoing tensions between celebrity privacy, fan culture, and entertainment industry dynamics in South Korea.