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On December 11, 2024, dating rumors involving aespa’s Winter and ENHYPEN’s Jungwon sparked widespread reactions after blurry clips allegedly showing the two idols together surfaced online. A post claimed the pair were spotted at a whisky bar in Cheongdam-dong, Seoul, which seemed like a date.
The speculation began when an anonymous user shared images and a short video on social media. The video claimed the woman in the photo was Winter based on her outfit, which matched the one she wore in a recent dance challenge video.
The post also alleged that Winter entered a taxi first, followed shortly after by Jungwon. The video, featuring a man in a mask on a phone call, led to further speculation about the voice matching Jungwon’s. However, it is to be noted that both idols' agencies denied the rumors.
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Fans took to social media to support the idols’ right to privacy, emphasizing that their personal lives should not be a public concern. An X user, @bratsdotcom wrote,
"whether they are dating or not really is nobody’s business."
Others also voiced their support, arguing that idols should be free from K-pop’s unwritten no-dating rule. They highlighted how many idols avoid revealing their relationships due to the intense reactions often received from fans, particularly in South Korea.
"Respect the privacy of the artists," an X user added.
"Idol’s personal life isn’t your business!!!," another fan remarked.
"if it was real it was never our business but this situation also showed us how fast these so called "fans" can turn on their idol, especially jungwon who updates engenes literally everyday. Yall dont deserve them," a person commented.
"winter and jungwon were former sm trainees theyre just friends having dinner one dinner together doesnt mean dating. not to mention theres a political situation going on rn so this is probably just to take the attention away from that SO EVERYBODY SHUT UP," another fan wrote.
Others questioned the timing of the rumors, given ENHYPEN’s ongoing world tour and aespa’s recent release of their fifth mini-album, Whiplash. Meanwhile, some speculated the two might simply be close friends.
"Ugh i'm praying that Jungwon and Winter will be okay because my tl is going to SHIT about it . grow up they're adults and both sm trainees at the same time NOBODY GAF IF THEY'RE DATING," a user commented on X.
"Can they be normal and let idols live their lives in peace? Invading a person's privacy is a crime, I really hope they sue this kind of people," another fan mentioned.
"I don’t think Jungwon will go dating for now or any Enhypen members since they are in the middle of their growing career. This is not true. But if it’s true then I’ll be happy whatever makes him happy," a person added.
SM Entertainment and BELIFT LAB refute dating rumors involving ENHYPEN's Jungwon and aespa's Winter
Both SM Entertainment and BELIFT LAB, the agencies representing Winter and Jungwon respectively, quickly dismissed the rumors. As per reports published by a South Korean media outlet, OSEN, on December 11, 2024, SM Entertainment labeled the claims as "groundless."
They asserted that the individual who circulated the images and videos had malicious intentions and sought monetary gain. They also confirmed plans to pursue legal action against those spreading false information.
Similarly, according to the media outlet, Xports News report published on the same day, BELIFT LAB denied any truth to the allegations and vowed to take strict action against violations of their artist’s privacy.
This is not the first time aespa members have faced such scrutiny. Earlier this year, Winter’s bandmate Karina was also involved in dating rumors with actor Lee Jae-wook, which she eventually addressed publicly. However, they parted ways just weeks later due to the backlash they faced from the public.
The current situation has reignited discussions about the pressures and invasions of privacy idols face in the industry. Fans now await further updates from the artists involved.
