aespa member Winter has once again become the center of online discussion after some netizens claimed she subtly referenced her rumored relationship with Jungkook of BTS during a recent live broadcast.
A post shared on the Korean online forum Pann quickly gained traction after users pointed out the title of Winter’s latest Weverse live stream, which featured only a puppy emoji. Some netizens interpreted the emoji as a hidden message connected to the ongoing dating speculation surrounding the two idols.
According to the viral post, the emoji was allegedly tied to rumors that Winter and Jungkook share matching “couple tattoos” featuring three puppies. The author of the post suggested that the live stream title was an intentional reference to those rumors.
The dating speculation between the two stars first spread widely in December 2025. At the time, online communities collected what they believed were “proofs” of a relationship, including similar tattoos, matching rings and accessories, as well as Jungkook’s attendance at an aespa concert. Neither HYBE nor SM Entertainment publicly addressed the rumors, leading some fans to further speculate.
However, many fans quickly dismissed the latest theory surrounding Winter’s livestream. During the broadcast itself, Winter reportedly showed viewers her friend’s dog, making the puppy emoji title appear far less suspicious than some online users claimed.
Others also pointed out that Winter has long been associated with dog-related nicknames among fans, making the use of a puppy emoji nothing unusual for the idol.
Several comments defending Winter gained attention online, with fans writing, “There was literally a dog in the livestream,” “People are trying way too hard to create dating rumors,” and “Winter has always used dog-related nicknames, so why are people acting like this suddenly means something?”
Some fans also criticized those attempting to connect ordinary actions to dating speculation, arguing that certain netizens appeared overly determined to find “evidence” to fuel rumors surrounding the idols.
Sources: Pann