Winter of aespa also facing protests amid dating rumors with BTS’ Jung Kook
Winter of K-pop girl group aespa / Xportsnews
Truck protests — a uniquely Korean form of fandom demonstration — are now targeting not only BTS member Jung Kook but also aespa member Winter, as dating rumors between the two idols continue to dominate online discussion and ignite heated fan reactions.
On Thursday, a truck organized by a group of dissatisfied fans was parked outside SM Entertainment’s headquarters in Seoul’s Seongdong District. Digital banners on the vehicle directly accused Winter of betraying fans’ trust and demanded a public explanation.
Messages included: “Silence is not an answer. Show responsibility,” “Erase the tattoo and explain yourself,” “If you want to date loudly, live as ordinary citizen Kim Min-jeong, not aespa’s Winter” and “You promised to stay with us for 10 years — you broke that trust.”
A truck protest targeting aespa member Winter, above, and another protest aimed at BTS member Jung Kook / Captured from X (formerly Twitter)
This followed a separate truck protest held earlier outside HYBE’s headquarters in Yongsan, where some BTS fans displayed messages aimed at Jung Kook. Those signs read: “If you won’t erase the couple tattoo, withdraw from BTS activities,” “This is how you repay ARMY who waited during enlistment” and “Stop deceiving fans and hurting the group,” along with “Erase the couple tattoo and regain ARMY’s trust.”
Winter of K-pop girl group aespa, left, and BTS member Jung Kook / Xportsnews
Speculation about the two idols began circulating on online communities and social media earlier this month, driven by what fans claim are overlapping clues. The most widely discussed allegation involves matching tattoos — three small dog faces on each of their arms — which some users insist are identical.
Neither SM Entertainment nor HYBE has issued a statement confirming or denying the rumor, which has only intensified speculation among fans.
Winter made her first public appearance since the rumor during a scheduled fan signing event, where she maintained her usual demeanor. SM Entertainment recently said it will pursue legal measures to protect her from defamatory content circulating online, citing the rise of malicious posts.
Jung Kook, meanwhile, appeared unfazed on social media, posting a photo on Wednesday of himself eating ramen with fellow BTS member RM.
This article from Xportsnews is adapted by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.