The injury was seemingly caused by a prop.
Koreaboo
The 2025 MAMA Awards delivered standout stages across both nights, but aespa’s set sparked concern after Winter appeared to injure herself within seconds of starting.
On the ceremony’s second night, aespa performed their 2025 hits “Dirty Work” and “Rich Man,” with Winter beginning the stage alone on a raised platform, holding a guitar as part of the dramatic intro.
WINTER 🎸 MY FAVE GENRE pic.twitter.com/OIfbAg6Qk2
— Jazz (@mjkmwntr) November 29, 2025
During her solo moment, she struck the guitar with a strong swipe — a charismatic move that unfortunately caused several metallic-looking spikes attached to the prop to break off and injure her hand.
Winter accidentally hit the spiky things on the guitar and they fell off. That’s probably the reason why winter hurt her finger :” pic.twitter.com/2GNgJdKMuQ
— S (slow) (@winteraphy) November 30, 2025
Because the accident happened at the very start, Winter had to continue the entire performance while visibly in pain. Cameras caught her glancing at her hand multiple times, trying to manage the injury without interrupting the choreography.
🤍 기타 치다가 엄지 네일팁 살짝 들렸고 🎸 ➡️ dirty work 때 립피어싱에 긁혀서 검지에서 피가 났어 🩸➡️ 리치맨 때 춤추다 옷 정리하다가 엄지 네일팁이 떨어졌어 💅
🫳🫳🫳🫳🥺🥺🫳🫳🫳🫳 pic.twitter.com/44E7evGHW5
— ٩( ᐛ )و (@Quartersung) November 30, 2025
Even later, while the group waited to receive their awards — including “Best Choreography” and “Best Female Group” — she was seen carefully holding her injured hand.
karina’s reaction knowing minjeong got hurt 😭 my jiminjeong 🥹pic.twitter.com/PFnCxzSenU
— ty (@soshirevelae) November 30, 2025
Fan-taken zoomed-in photos later revealed noticeable bleeding, prompting an even bigger wave of concern from fans. Despite everything, Winter pushed through with her usual professionalism.
부리 나온 이유가 다쳐서였다고…..?😭😭😭😭 https://t.co/LqqiFps55y pic.twitter.com/nUhMlFdC2Y
— 나디 (@Gyeoul_wt) November 30, 2025
Winter’s injury marked another safety-related incident from this year’s ceremony. Both idle’s Minnie and Stray Kids’ Lee Know were seen leaving in wheelchairs after sustaining injuries during rehearsals and backstage rushes.
Multiple Idols Leave The “2025 MAMA Awards” In Wheelchairs After Suffering On-Stage Injuries