BTS Jungkook and aespa Winter Dating Rumors Spark Protest Trucks at HYBE in December 2025

Speculation linking BTS's Jungkook and aespa's Winter erupted into real-world protests this week as LED trucks appeared outside HYBE headquarters in Seoul, though confusion remains about who actually organized the demonstrations.

Two Separate Truck Protests Target HYBE

Multiple protest trucks materialized at HYBE's Yongsan offices on December 9-10, 2025, but they carried starkly different messages about the controversy.

December 10 Trucks - Disputed Origin

LED screens outside HYBE displayed harsh messages including "Remove the couple tattoo or step back from BTS activities" and "ARMY waited for you during the military, and this is what we get in return." However, many fans immediately questioned the trucks' authenticity, pointing to newly-created suspicious social media accounts that promoted them. Legitimate ARMY emphasized they wouldn't attack Jungkook personally over unconfirmed rumors.

December 9-12 Trucks - Chinese Fanbase

Separately, Jungkook's largest Chinese fanbase deployed trucks running 10 AM-6 PM KST daily with a completely different approach. Their message criticized HYBE's handling rather than Jungkook: "The company's attitude this time is ambiguous. They are manipulating the media, playing with public opinion, and falsely accusing him while using the artist to divert attention."

These trucks also demanded solo activities for Jungkook, noting he's had no individual promotions since completing military service in June 2025.

What Started the Dating Rumors?

The speculation accumulated gradually through circumstantial social media observations:

July 2025 - Korean forum Nate Pann posts claimed matching in-ear monitors, similar hats, and comparable nail art after Jungkook appeared at airports with distinctive nail polish following Winter's similar styling.

Instagram Username Theory - When Jungkook changed his handle to @mnijungkook, some interpreted "mni" as referencing Winter's real name (Kim Minjeong). Past usernames @imjungkook and Winter's @imwinter were also cited.

August Music Posts - Both shared Instagram content featuring "Weather" by Novo Amor days apart (Winter August 9, Jungkook August 14). Similar emoji patterns on posts using Justin Bieber's "Devotion" fueled further speculation.

Tokyo Sighting Claims - Photos circulated of Jungkook at Chrome Hearts in Aoyama while aespa toured Japan, though no direct interaction was documented.

December Tattoo Claims - Viewers of Disney+'s "Are You Sure?!" Season 2 reported seeing what appeared to be a dog tattoo on Jungkook's arm, claiming it matched Winter's. Many fans disputed this, arguing it was a bandage or edited footage. The image quality at the claimed timestamp made definitive comparison impossible.

Why Both Agencies Stay Silent

Neither BigHit Music nor SM Entertainment has addressed the rumors as of December 10, contrasting sharply with their past responses.

Previously, BigHit swiftly denied 2021 rumors linking Jungkook to actress Lee Yoo Bi. SM Entertainment similarly dismissed Winter-ENHYPEN Jungwon dating speculation as "false" in 2024.

The current silence has fans split - some interpret it as confirmation while others see strategic non-engagement with baseless speculation. The situation draws comparisons to BTS V and BLACKPINK Jennie's years-long rumored relationship, which neither agency ever officially confirmed despite leaked photos.

SM Entertainment Takes Legal Action for Winter

While not directly addressing dating rumors, SM Entertainment announced aggressive legal measures on December 10 through their KWANGYA 119 reporting platform.

The statement identified "sexual harassment, defamation, personal attacks, insults, invasion of privacy, and deepfake content" targeting Winter across DC Inside, Women's Generation, Nate Pann, Instiz, TheQoo, Instagram, X, and YouTube. SM stated it's pursuing both criminal complaints and civil claims with "no leniency."

KWANGYA 119, launched in June 2023, allows fans to report issues regarding SM artists directly to the company. The legal action focuses on protecting Winter from harassment spawned by speculation rather than confirming or denying any relationship.

Current Status of Both Artists

Jungkook completed mandatory military service June 11, 2025, alongside Jimin after 18 months in the 5th Infantry Division Artillery Brigade. He's currently starring in "Are You Sure?!" Season 2 with Jimin on Disney+, documenting their post-military Switzerland and Vietnam trip. Episodes release Wednesdays at 5 PM KST through December 24.

Six BTS members have now finished service, with only SUGA completing alternative social service on June 21, 2025.

Winter continues touring with aespa on SYNK: aeXIS Line, which launched August 29, 2025, in Seoul and concludes April 26, 2026, at Tokyo Dome. The tour includes stops across Asia with upcoming dates in Hong Kong, Macau, and Jakarta through early 2026.

Both artists have faced intense online harassment throughout this speculation period, with reported mass unfollows, fansite closures, and coordinated campaigns despite neither confirming any relationship.

The Bigger Picture

The controversy highlights persistent tensions between idol privacy and fan culture expectations in K-pop. While some fans defend artists' rights to private relationships, others view dating as betraying fan devotion - particularly after Jungkook's 18-month military absence.

The protest truck phenomenon, common in K-pop for expressing fan grievances, typically targets agencies over contract disputes or management decisions. Using trucks to attack an idol personally over unconfirmed dating rumors represents an escalation that many within the fandom have condemned.

As both HYBE and SM Entertainment maintain silence, the rumors continue circulating online with no official resolution in sight.