Rumors about the alleged relationship between BTS’ Jungkook and aespa’s Winter are once again making waves online, this time amid speculation that the two idols may have broken up.
Dating rumors involving Jungkook and Winter first attracted widespread attention in December 2025, when netizens claimed to have discovered several “couple clues.” Among the most talked about clues were the alleged matching tattoos of three small dogs, along with similar accessories and random public appearances. Although the speculation spread quickly in K-pop communities, both of their agencies responded ambiguously and never confirmed the report.
Now, the rumors have reignited after fans spotted what they believe could be signs of a breakup.
In a recently released video, Jungkook appeared with a noticeably clean forearm, leading fans to claim that a tattoo previously linked to the voice had disappeared. Around the same time, Winter posted photos from her recent trip to Bangkok, and eagle-eyed internet users pointed out that the tattoo she was rumored to have shared with Jungkook was also missing from the images.
Some fans who reportedly saw Winter in person in Thailand said the tattoo may still exist, but was covered up or changed before the photos were uploaded to Instagram. Speculation has fueled theories that the two idols may have removed the tattoos or hidden them deliberately.
The situation escalated after a post on Korean forum Pann suggested a possible connection between Jungkook’s recent live stream—where he appeared emotionally troubled—and a melancholic breakup song that Winter then shared on social media.
“When you consider Jungkook’s unstable live stream and the sad breakup song Winter released a few days later, isn’t it possible that their companies forced them to break up before BTS’ big comeback?” the post was assumed to be viral.
The discussion quickly spread through online communities, garnering tens of thousands of views in just a few hours. Some commentators believe the couple may have quietly ended their relationship due to fan pressure and upcoming group activities.
Others have offered different interpretations. A number of netizens argued that even if the idols were dating, they might have simply decided to hide or remove the tattoos to avoid controversy during promotions.
At the same time, many fans criticized the rumors altogether, pointing out that neither Jungkook nor Winter have ever confirmed that they are in a relationship. Some also claim that Jungkook never had a tattoo matching Winter’s, suggesting that the entire dating narrative may be based on speculation.
The dating rumors had previously sparked intense reactions from fans. At one point, protest trucks were reportedly sent to the management companies demanding explanations and accusing Jungkook of “betraying the fans.” Winter has also faced significant tensions at public events, including a moment of silence from the public during a red carpet appearance.
Despite months of speculation, both HYBE and SM Entertainment have remained silent on the rumors, neither confirming nor denying the alleged relationship.
With no official statements from either side, the situation remains fueled largely by fan theories and online discussions. As BTS prepares for future group activities and aespa continues its global promotions, speculation about Jungkook and Winter shows no signs of fading away anytime soon.
