aespa’s Winter has once again found herself at the center of online controversy as discussions surrounding her rumored “couple tattoo” with BTS’s Jungkook resurface. The speculation, which first gained traction last year amid dating rumors involving the two idols, has been reignited following aespa’s recent overseas concert activities.

At the time, initial dating allegations were largely dismissed by fans, but online discussions intensified when netizens began pointing to supposed matching tattoos as evidence. Since then, both Winter and Jungkook have remained under close public scrutiny, with the tattoo rumor becoming one of the most frequently cited points of criticism.

The issue resurfaced after aespa held their SYNK: AEXIS LINE world tour concert on February 7, marking the group’s successful stop in Hong Kong. As usual, fansites were present and shared high-quality photos of the members online after the show. One particular set of images featuring Winter initially drew positive reactions from fans. However, attention soon shifted when some netizens noticed that Winter appeared to be wearing a bandage on her upper arm in one photo, seemingly covering the tattoo that had previously fueled the dating rumors.

This detail quickly spread across online communities, prompting some users to question Winter’s intentions and accuse her of deliberately drawing attention to the controversy. As a result, criticism toward the idol escalated once again, despite the lack of any official statement or confirmation regarding the tattoo or the past dating rumors. The renewed backlash highlights how persistent speculation continues to follow idols long after rumors first emerge, especially when even minor details become magnified under intense public scrutiny.