K-pop fans are once again sharply divided as dating rumors between BTS’ Jungkook and aespa’s Winter continue to spread, this time accompanied by an unusual silence from both agencies. Many now believe that the lack of response is essentially a “silent recognition”.
Posts claiming that the two idols were in a relationship have rapidly circulated in online communities in recent days. Netizens have indicated what they believe are matching or similar articles, including:
- Identical tattoos with three dog faces placed in similar positions
- shorts, slippers, bracelets and similar in-ear monitors
- matching ring finger “couple nails”
Some users also noted that Jungkook visited an aespa concert during his military service, interpreting it as a meaningful gesture.
Another widely discussed claim concerns Jungkook’s current Instagram username “mnijungkook.” Fans claim that when the letters nei are reversed, it becomes “minjungkook”, which resembles “Minjeong”, Winter’s legal name.
A clip from a live broadcast featuring Winter and Aespa’s Karina went viral after Winter unexpectedly blurted out “Jeon Jungkook” while trying to guess the name Karina was saying: that of her grandmother. Netizens noticed that Winter ditched the honorifics when she said Jungkook’s name, something many interpreted as unusually familiar, especially amid the ongoing dating rumors linking the two idols.
Given their enormous popularity, word spread at the speed of light. Yet both BigHit Music and SM Entertainment remained silent. This is especially surprising because both agencies have responded quickly to past dating controversies:
In 2021, when Jungkook faced dating rumors with actress Lee Yoo-bi, BigHit stated that the claim was “not true.”
In 2023, when Winter was linked to ENHYPEN’s Jungwon, SM called the rumor “baseless” and warned of legal action.
This time, however, neither agency has issued a denial, leading many to wonder whether the rumors may have any merit. Fans speculate that if the rumors were unfounded, the companies would have moved quickly to stop unnecessary speculation.
Jungkookas part of BTSis preparing for the group’s full return from military service next spring, followed by a planned large-scale world tour. His post-service program is expected to be one of the highest profile comebacks in K-pop.
Winter, meanwhile, is riding a career high aespaafter three consecutive mega hits: “Supernova”, “Armageddon” and “Whiplash”. The group recently won several awards at a major ceremony.
Since both are essential members of top-tier K-pop groups, the agencies’ silence has attracted even more attention. Fans and industry observers are now watching closely to see whether the rumor will become an official acknowledgment or be dismissed as speculation.
Sources: Netizenbuzz
