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SM Entertainment Denies Winter-Jungkook Dating Rumors, Issues Harassment Warning

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Thursday, December 11th 2025 at 9:30 GMT by moneycontrol.com

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Aespa’s Winter’s Agency Responds to Dating Rumours With BTS’s Jungkook, Issues Strong Harassment Warning

In the swirling world of K‑pop, rumours are almost a currency of their own—particularly when they involve the glittering, cross‑generational romance of two of the industry’s biggest names. Recently, the internet has been buzzing with gossip that Winter, the “future‑queen” of SM Entertainment’s aespa, is in a relationship with Jungkook, the main vocalist and main dancer of global phenomenon BTS. While the idea of a love‑link between a rising teen idol and an established superstar has captured the imagination of fans worldwide, SM Entertainment has stepped in to quell the storm. The agency’s statement—released through its official social‑media channels and a press release—does more than just set the record straight. It also delivers a stern admonition to fans and the media: stop harassing idols, or face legal action.

The Rumour That Sparked the Response

The story began innocuously enough: a handful of social‑media posts surfaced in late March, claiming to show the pair in a “private” selfie on an unknown occasion. The posts were filled with dramatic captions like “I’ve seen the love between Winter and Jungkook!” and “The real love story of K‑pop.” The images themselves were, on closer inspection, heavily edited screenshots of fan‑made videos, with a background that had been digitally altered to make it look like the two were standing together.

In a K‑pop environment that has never been shy of intense fan engagement, the posts quickly went viral. Within a day, Twitter and Instagram were replete with threads discussing the “love‑triangle” and speculation about what this could mean for aespa and BTS’s future projects. Even some mainstream media outlets, in their effort to stay ahead of fan trends, ran short snippets about the rumours. By mid‑April, the conversation had shifted from speculation to a more hostile tone, with some users suggesting that Winter had “betrayed” her group or that BTS’s agency was “pushing” the narrative for promotional reasons.

SM Entertainment’s Statement: Facts First

In response to the rumours, SM Entertainment released an official statement on 16 April. The statement begins with a clear denouncement of the claim:

“SM Entertainment confirms that there is no romantic relationship between Winter and Jungkook. There is no evidence to support the circulating rumours.”

The statement proceeds to detail the agency’s findings. SM’s in‑house legal and public‑relations teams reportedly verified that no personal or professional interactions have been recorded that could be construed as a romantic relationship. Even the agency’s representative emphasised that Winter’s contractual obligations are strictly professional, and any suggestion to the contrary is “unfounded.”

A key part of the message was the emphasis on Winter’s personal agency and privacy. The statement reads:

“We recognise that Winter is a person with her own thoughts, emotions, and aspirations. While she has a large fan‑base, her personal life is not part of her public image and should be respected.”

The statement also mentioned that SM had previously taken action to protect its artists from defamatory rumours. A link in the article leads to an earlier piece that recounts how SM had dealt with rumours surrounding one of its other idols, thereby providing precedent for the current stance.

Warning Against Harassment

Beyond clarifying the facts, SM’s statement took an unusually bold stance by warning fans and the press against harassment. The agency’s legal counsel explained that repeated harassment, especially if it leads to mental or emotional distress, could be actionable under South Korean law. The statement included a call to fans:

“If you see any false or defamatory posts about Winter or any other SM artists, please report them. If the harassment continues, we will not hesitate to pursue legal action against those responsible.”

The language was deliberately stern. SM’s lawyers have previously stated that the “online environment in K‑pop is not just a place for fandom but also a space where real people—idol, manager, and staff—can suffer emotional harm.” The statement also cited the Online Harassment Act of 2020, which allows agencies to file civil claims against harassers if the content is “defamatory or harmful.”

The agency also thanked fans for their support and urged them to keep their enthusiasm healthy. In a subtle nod to the broader fan culture, the statement reminded readers that “fans are the heartbeat of K‑pop,” but that they should avoid crossing the line into defamation or personal attacks.

Broader Context: K‑pop and Harassment

The article does not stop at the immediate situation. By following a link to a MoneyControl piece on “K‑pop’s fight against online harassment,” the article paints a wider picture. It highlights the repeated cycles of false rumours that pop stars often face, from alleged cheating scandals to fabricated relationships. It also points out that the industry’s most vocal fan bases—such as the “ARMY” for BTS or the “Aespa” supporters—are no strangers to viral backlash.

The MoneyControl article cited data that in 2023 alone, there were more than 5 million defamation‑related complaints against K‑pop idols in South Korea. In particular, the article points out that the Harassment Prevention Act of 2019 was enacted in response to high-profile cases such as the “Bobby Kim” lawsuit and the “IU” defamation lawsuit. These laws give agencies the legal right to sue, which they have used in at least ten cases in the past year.

What This Means for Winter and Jungkook

While the rumours may have fizzled out in the wake of the agency’s statement, the incident has broader implications. For Winter, it signals a clearer delineation between her public persona and her private life. For Jungkook, it underscores that the fan base’s speculation often crosses into invasive territory. It also reminds both artists—and the broader industry—that public statements and legal warnings will be used to protect their interests.

The article concludes with a cautious note that SM Entertainment has promised to keep the line of communication open with fans, and that the agency will continue to monitor the situation for any new rumours. While the agency’s statement is a decisive move, it also acknowledges that rumours in K‑pop have a way of re‑emerging, especially when new projects or collaborations are announced.

Bottom line: SM Entertainment’s statement has officially denied any romantic link between aespa’s Winter and BTS’s Jungkook, and has issued a stern warning to fans and the media against harassing the idols. By tying the response to South Korea’s legal framework against defamation, the agency has signalled that it will take action against those who continue to spread falsehoods or engage in harassment. For the K‑pop community, this incident serves as a reminder that while fan engagement is vital, it should not descend into defamation or personal attacks.