BTS member Jungkook (left) and aespa member Winter, about whom dating suspicions were recently raised. Kyunghyang Shinmun file photo

Dating suspicions involving BTS member Jungkook and aespa member Winter have spread to protests by fans. Following Jungkook’s fandom, Winter’s fandom also launched a truck protest and took action.

On the 11th, Winter’s fandom sent trucks carrying messages such as ‘Silence is not an answer/Show responsibility’ and ‘Erase the tattoo and come out to explain!’ in front of SM Entertainment’s headquarters in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, to underscore their message.

The messages from Winter’s fandom did not stop there. They directly expressed anger toward Winter with slogans such as ‘If you want to date noisily, live as an ordinary person Kim Min-jeong, not aespa’s Winter’ and ‘You, Winter, who betrayed trust after saying we would be together even in 10 years.’

The person who led the truck protest disclosed the process on the social networking service (SNS) X that day, saying, “I hope you realize that it’s your fans who are being hurt by what you have done now.”

Earlier, on the 10th, Jungkook’s fandom also held a truck protest in front of HYBE’s headquarters in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.

Winter’s fandom’s truck protest underway at SM Entertainment’s headquarters on the 11th. Provided by Winter’s fandom

They, too, displayed phrases on the truck LED boards such as ‘Are you in your right mind to deceive fans and harm the group?’ ‘If you won’t erase the couple tattoo, step down from BTS activities’ and ‘What came back to ARMY, who waited through military service, was deceit toward fans,’ voicing their displeasure.

The dating suspicions surrounding Jungkook and Winter appear to be growing in impact. Both have tattoos on the upper elbow area depicting ‘three dogs’ side by side, with similar placement and design, leading to initial allegations that they might be couple tattoos.

In addition, numerous items previously shownsuch as in-ear monitors, shorts, slippers, bracelets, and nailswere spotted with similar or overlapping designs, prompting claims that they might be couple items. Speculation also surged that the first letters ‘mni’ in Jungkook’s Instagram ID (mnijungkook) stand for Winter’s real name, Min-jeong.

The fact that Winter, during a live broadcast game with Karina, accidentally shouted “Jeon Jungkook” and then appeared flustered also supported the dating suspicions. Reports also spread that Jungkook took leave from military service to attend an aespa concert.

Regarding the dating rumors, both HYBE and SM Entertainment said they were “unable to confirm” or had “no additional comment.”

These positions by both agencies did not dispel the dating suspicions. This is because when dating rumors previously arose about Jungkook and Lee Yu-bi, and separately about Winter and ENHYPEN member Jungwon, each agency stated they were “groundless.” For this reason, there are even interpretations that the current silence is “virtually an affirmation.”

SM Entertainment even issued a notice about legal complaints, further inflaming the fandom. On the 10th, SM Entertainment said, “We plan to gradually expand legal complaint procedures against acts that defame Winter’s character and reputation on online communities.”