As dating rumors between BTS’s Jungkook and aespa’s Winter continue to make headlines, tensions have escalated between both fandoms, leading to public protests aimed at their agencies.
Shortly after Jungkook’s fans sent protest trucks to HYBE, Winter’s fans followed suit by sending their own trucks to SM Entertainment, demanding that the company address the growing speculation. The messages displayed on the LED screens condemned the agency’s silence and expressed frustration toward Winter herself.
Images shared on X showed the trucks parked outside the SM building with sharply worded messages:
“Silence is not the answer! Show responsibility.”
“Erase your tattoos and clarify the situation.”
“You said we will be together even after ten years, but you have broken our trust.”
“If you want to keep dating, live as citizen Kim Minjeong not aespa’s Winter.”
The protest referenced claims of alleged “couple tattoos” and suspicions that Winter wore Jungkook’s clothing to a fansign event points that continue to fuel online debate.
Comments on Korean communities such as theqoo showed mixed reactions, with some finding the protests excessive while others sympathized with fans who felt misled.
- Is this really necessary?
- Dating isn’t the issue hinting at it in front of fans is.
- Even normal people’s couple tattoos are cringe.
- The idols dated loudly, and now expect fans to leave quietly? No, fans can unstan loudly too.
- I understand why they would go this far.
- Release an official statement already.
- The truck driver must be thrilled.
- What shocked me most was her wearing her boyfriend’s clothes to a fansign. If they didn’t want backlash, they shouldn’t have left hints.
In the midst of the backlash, SM Entertainment issued an official notice stating that the company would take legal action against those spreading dating rumors and defamation.
The debate continues, with both fandoms expressing growing frustration as neither agency has directly acknowledged or denied the alleged relationship.
