HYBE accused of using Jungkook-Winter dating rumours to distract from Bang Si Hyuk's asset-seizure case
Photo: Yonhap
Renewed dating rumours involving Jungkook of BTS and Winter of aespa have prompted a fresh wave of debate, with many netizens arguing that the sudden rise in speculation appears to coincide too closely with developments in HYBE founder Bang Si Hyuk’s legal situation.
On November 4, reports claimed that the Seoul Southern District Court approved of freezing ₩157 billion ( $107 billion USD)of Bang’s HYBE shares while prosecutors investigate alleged illegal stock-trading and seek to prevent disposal.
Posts across Korean forums and X questioned whether the timing of Jungkook and Winter's dating rumours served as a distraction from the court's seizure, a topic some users felt was receiving significantly less online attention.
The dating discussion escalated after social media users highlighted matching tattoos, similar accessories and coordinated styling choices between the two idols, alongside repeated claims that Jungkook attended an aespa concert during his military service.
COMO QUE WINTER Y JUNGKOOK HACEN MATCHING TATTOOS😱#jungkook #winter #aespa #BTS pic.twitter.com/BZZUu5vsGT
— Terrycito (@SunKyoto_) December 4, 2025
정국 군대 전역날 라방켜서 태양의후예 노래부른 윈터❤️ https://t.co/0yYqnpR8Cx pic.twitter.com/FWqKEK0nWE
Several commenters remarked that the dating posts appeared widely shared even before the news of the asset seizure began trending, leading others to suggest that the rumours felt unusually amplified.
Some wrote that it was “odd” for a high-profile investigation to be overshadowed by unverified relationship claims, while others proposed that the situation looked “forced” or “too conveniently timed.”
A number of posts even predicted that Jungkook might not be the only artist caught in what they viewed as a broader diversion.
Jungkook has previously addressed persistent interest in his private life, stating in 2023, “I don't have a girlfriend. I just want to focus on work. I don't feel the need to date. Please stop talking about me having a girlfriend. My girlfriend is ARMY. Right now, ARMY is all I have. I feel relieved. Don't worry.”
Winter also dismissed dating rumours last year involving Jungwon of ENHYPEN and warned that legal action would follow against fabricated claims.