The clip has been viewed more than 7.5 million times.
Koreaboo
aespa’s Winter has become the subject of intense debate among Korean netizens after footage from one of the group’s recent performances went viral on X.
Shared by a user as part of an unrelated conversation around earnings, the video shows Winter dancing to “Illusion” during aespa’s current SYNK: aeXIS LINE tour with what many are deeming a lack of energy or effort.
저는 이따구로 해도 몇십억 벌어요~ https://t.co/NP9BF9nzGQ pic.twitter.com/sLnWJdLQYX
— 니엄마 (@vilppn) November 22, 2025
I can make tens of billions even doing it like this~
— @543SAk9wqK35143 on X
With more than 25,000 likes and 7.5 million views, the post quickly attracted criticism. Several netizens piled on to complain about the star’s presumed earnings in light of her dancing, with some accusing her of not wanting to perform.
근데 얘 진짜 왜이런거임?
하기싫으면 탈퇴하고 그자리 딴연생한테 넘겨ㅇㅇ https://t.co/gtUrhIkil1— 꺼져씨 발 (@z647298) November 23, 2025
But seriously, what’s wrong with her?
If she doesn’t want to perform, she should just leave the group and let another trainee take her spot.
— @z647298 on X
아씨발ㅈㄴ배아파 이따구로추는데 몇십억?
하아..아프면 저따구로추는거 이해가능인데 아프지도 않으면서 저따구로 추는건ㅋㅋ저딴식으로 하니깐 에스파콘서트 재미없다는말이 나오지 https://t.co/mmjxeacJj3— 씨발작작나대 (@mysfgjyuio) November 23, 2025
Ah fuck, my stomach hurts so bad. She dances like that and makes tens of billions?
Sigh… I can understand dancing like that if you’re hurt, but doing that when you’re not even hurt, lol. Dancing like that is exactly why people say aespa’s concerts aren’t fun.
— @mysfgjyuio on X
Others, however, were equally vocal in pushing back against the criticism. Many fans dismissed the backlash as nothing more than misogyny. Several highlighted Winter’s impressive vocal delivery at many of aespa’s concerts, while some noted that those who give idols attention, whether positive or negative, are the reason they make money to begin with.
갑자기? 남돌 다 끌어와봐 혁명일어날듯 https://t.co/kgSrDD1diY
— yeon (@yeon14058) November 23, 2025
All of a sudden? Try dragging in all the boy groups, it’d probably start a revolution.
— @yeon14058 on X
쟤들이 몇십억 버는건 니들이 소비해주니까 그런거지 그게 꼬우면 소비를 해주지마
소비란 소비는 다 해주고 왜 몇십억 번다고 ㅈㄹ하는거지 https://t.co/nMCETZq8i6— 🥟 (@oiuyere) November 23, 2025
They make tens of billions because you guys spend money on them. If that bothers you, then don’t spend.
You pour money into every possible kind of consumption, so why are you freaking out because they make tens of billions?
— @oiuyereon X
아니 ㅇㅌ가 뭐했다고 지랄인데 맥락도 안 맞는 원트 인용으로 까플 만들고 맘찍하는 님들보단 열심히 살아요 ㅇㅌ 콘서트에서 고음뺑이치고 표정연기 개열심히 하는데 저 몇십초로 재단하지 마세요 보는 팬 기분 엿같으니깐 탈빠했으면 곱게 관심 끄시길 https://t.co/ea4JQrMErX pic.twitter.com/rqqr5Je464
— 🍇 (@Pho99804632) November 23, 2025
No but why are you freaking out at Winter? She didn’t even do anything. You guys who are taking this out of context, making a hate-filled quote tweet out of a clip that doesn’t match the context, and then getting all emotional are worse. Winter works hard at concerts, belting out high notes and putting everything into her facial expressions, so don’t judge her based on those few seconds. It feels shitty as a fan watching this, so if you’ve left the fandom, please just quietly stop paying attention.
— @Pho99804632 on X
The debate comes shortly after SM Entertainment faced backlash for aespa’s grueling workload following shocking concert footage and Winter’s recent absence.