Advertisement
South Korea
AsiaEast Asia

BTS’ Jungkook faces fan fury over dating rumours with Aespa’s Winter

Fans parked a protest truck outside the band’s management company’s office in Seoul, demanding clarity from the K-pop star

Reading Time:1 minute
Why you can trust SCMP
Singer Jungkook of BTS performs in New York City in 2023. Photo: Reuters
The Korea Times

A faction of BTS member Jungkook’s fans staged a protest truck demonstration in front of Hybe’s headquarters in Seoul on Wednesday, criticising the singer over recent dating speculation involving Aespa member Winter.

According to photos and witness accounts shared online, the truck displayed messages accusing Jungkook of misleading fans and damaging the group’s image.

The LED signs included phrases such as “erase the couple tattoo or step back from BTS activities”, “Are you in your right mind deceiving fans and harming the group?”, and “Army waited for you during the military, and this is what we get in return”.

Advertisement

K-pop band BTS has a legion of global supporters who call themselves the “Army”.

The protest follows growing frustration among some fans after rumours spread that Jungkook and Winter were dating.

Aespa member Winter. Photo: Instagram/aespa_official
Aespa member Winter. Photo: Instagram/aespa_official

Posts on South Korean online communities pointed to what users said were “matching clues”, including dog-face tattoos with the same design on each artist’s arm, similar nail art on their ring fingers, overlapping accessories, Jungkook being spotted at an Aespa concert and Winter saying Jungkook’s real name during a live-stream.

Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x