SM Entertainment will protect aespa’s Winter through legal means
The KPop universe turned into a full telenovela after dating rumors involving BTS’ Jungkook and Winter from aespa blew up online. Things got so heated that on December 10, 2025, SM Entertainment (aespa’s company) published an official notice titled “Updates on Legal Measures to Protect Winter’s Rights.” The company said it was tracking malicious posts involving harassment, defamation, personal attacks, privacy violations, and even deepfake content, and confirmed they were preparing expanded criminal complaints.
SM Entertainment has finally released a legal action notice to protect Winter. pic.twitter.com/4Na9V092U4
— Sunshine (@sunshine_080507) December 10, 2025
“We are fully aware of the seriousness of ongoing malicious posts and comments related to the artist, including sexual harassment, defamation, personal attacks, insults, privacy violations, and deepfake content,” the agency revealed.
“We have secured extensive evidence and will proceed with zero leniency. We ask everyone to refrain from becoming involved in any unlawful activity,” they concluded.
The dating rumors with BTS’ Jungkook go out of control
Their announcement lined up perfectly with the sudden wave of hate against Winter that followed the dating rumors with Jungkook, which started on December 4, 2025, after fans pointed out matching tattoos, rings, accessories, and even similar nail designs. Neither HYBE nor SM has confirmed nor denied their relationship, which has only fueled the fire among many fans.
Fans send protest trucks to HYBE’s headquarters following the romance rumors
Jungkook's largest Chinese fanbase has sent trucks into hybe building
Period: From December 9 to 12, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (KST)
• First message:
Jungkook’s fans have always believed in him and supported him,
but the company’s attitude this time is ambiguous… + pic.twitter.com/0SDqayCPY2— 𝙶𝚒𝚘 ⊱🪷⊰ (@forjungkooking) December 9, 2025
Adding to the controversy, some fans took their outrage over the rumors to real life. Outside HYBE headquarters in Yongsan, a truck protest appeared with screens demanding that he remove the alleged couple tattoo and accusing him of betraying fans. Meanwhile, Winter returned to a fan signing event two days after the rumor and comforted a crying fan, telling them not to cry. Jungkook played it cool by posting a photo of himself eating ramen with RM on December 10, showing he is living his best life despite the controversy regarding the rumors.
