BTS member Jungkook and aespa's Winter returned to social media on Dec. 13 with their first posts since dating rumors spread across online fan communities, prompting a renewed wave of scrutiny and sharply divided reactions from fans and Korean netizens. Neither artist addressed the speculation directly, but the timing and content of the updates quickly became a focal point of discussion.
The renewed attention followed days of intense online debate after fans circulated unverified claims linking the two idols. While no confirmation emerged from either artist or their agencies, the controversy placed unusual pressure on both stars, whose private lives are typically kept out of public view.
Jungkook's return came via an Instagram story, his first standalone post in some time. The image showed a simple masked selfie that highlighted his ear piercings and included no caption or written message. Until then, his recent online activity had been limited to reposting a story from BTS leader RM and appearing briefly in group photos shared by the band.
The absence of text did little to mute the reaction. For many fans, the post's significance lay not in its content but in its timing, following a prolonged silence after the rumors gained traction. Online discussion intensified within minutes of the upload.
Around the same time, Winter made her first appearance since the controversy on the fan communication platform Bubble. Her message focused on everyday concerns rather than personal matters, urging fans to take care during cold weather. She wrote: "It's going to be cold this weekend, so be careful not to catch a cold! It's snowing, so be careful driving! Don't catch a cold. Eat something warm!"
As with Jungkook's post, Winter's message did not reference the dating claims. The near-simultaneous timing of the two updates, however, became a central topic in online forums and comment sections.
Korean online communities reflected a wide range of responses. Some users expressed relief that both artists appeared healthy despite the attention. Others questioned whether the posts had been coordinated. Comments included: "Did they coordinate this out of spite or something?" and "It's almost like they agreed to both post at the same time." Another widely shared reaction read, "The timing of their posts is really something elseㅋㅋㅋ."
Other criticism focused on expectations of communication with fans. One comment stated, "I thought they would at least apologise and say something like 'We'll do better in the future.'" Another read, "It's not like I expected them to clarify the situation through Bubble or anything, but I never imagined they would just gloss over the whole thing like this."
Winter, in particular, became the target of emotionally charged messages from disappointed supporters. One widely circulated post read, "Winter, I regret ever liking you... Why did you do this to us...? What did we ever do wrong to you...?"
At the same time, a segment of fans pushed back against the backlash, arguing that no response would have satisfied critics. One comment said, "They would have been criticised no matter what they posted anyways. It's obvious." Another asked, "Wow, are they seriously getting criticised for this?"
