BTS member Jungkook has become the subject of renewed public speculation after photos and videos circulated online allegedly showing him with several women, sparking a storm of dating rumors that involve three well-known figures in South Korea's entertainment scene.
The speculation began when viral clips appeared to show the 27-year-old singer with different women at various locations. Social media users claimed that one of them was actress Chae Won-bin, another was model Shin Hyun Ji-known as a close friend of BLACKPINK's Jennie Kim-and a third was aespa's Winter. None of the individuals or their agencies have confirmed the claims.
Rumors Involving Actress Chae Won-bin
Chae Won-bin, who gained critical recognition for her role in the suspense series Doubt, was the first to be linked to the BTS star. According to a report by Koreaboo, the actress has already received harassment from some of Jungkook's fans after the rumors spread. Both her management and HYBE, Jungkook's label, have not issued any comment.
BLACKPINK Jennie's Friend Dragged Into Speculation
The rumors then turned to Shin Hyun Ji, a model and close friend of BLACKPINK's Jennie Kim. She was reportedly featured in one of the circulating videos, though neither she nor her representatives have responded publicly. Koreaboo reported that, like Chae Won-bin, Shin also faced online bullying and harassment following the claims.
aespa's Winter and Coincidental Japan Sighting
Another rumor emerged when fans claimed that Jungkook and aespa's Winter were seen in Japan around the same time. Both HYBE and SM Entertainment declined to comment. Fans of both groups countered that their overlapping schedules in Japan were coincidental, noting that both had official activities during the same week.
AI-Generated Videos and Fan Reactions
The authenticity of the viral footage has also been questioned. Some fans argue that the low resolution of the clips makes identification unreliable, with others alleging that parts of the videos may have been AI-generated. Jungkook's fan group, Jungkook Charts Master, issued a statement urging the fandom to "respect his privacy and stop taking and sharing photos and videos without his consent." The group also called on HYBE to take legal action against saesaengs-a term used for obsessive fans who stalk celebrities.
Harassment Fallout for Past Rumored Girlfriends
Previous incidents show how being associated with Jungkook can have devastating personal consequences. Tattoo artist Lee Mi Joo was falsely rumored to be dating the singer in 2019 after a leaked CCTV clip showed them standing near each other. Both HYBE and Lee denied the rumors, clarifying that the footage was from a group outing, not a date.
In an interview with YTN Star, a male friend of Lee said she faced severe online abuse: "She received a lot of hate online, which turned her into an alcoholic." He added that her family and friends were also targeted, and that he was "just glad she did not harm herself at that time because of the hate."
