Rumors about a possible relationship between BTS’s Jungkook and aespa’s Winter have resurfaced once again. In fact, their dating rumors have taken over Korean online communities and social media feeds these days.
The speculation is once again making rounds after fans noticed a few “matching” items and coincidental similarities between the two idols. However, upon closer inspection, most of the so-called evidence appears to be circumstantial.
The latest wave of discussion started on October 28–29. A popular post on Nate Pann and X gathered attention for pointing out supposed clues that Jungkook and Winter might be dating.
The post listed a few coincidences, matching handmade bracelets, similar Instagram handles, overlapping song choices, and even the same nail polish color, and presented them as evidence. Still, most people online were quick to dismiss the claims, saying that these can be pure coincidence or by trends common in the K-pop industry.
One of the biggest pieces of “evidence” presented was a matching bracelet that Jungkook wore during his recent Weverse live. Some fans thought it looked similar to one Winter was seen wearing earlier.
However, upon closer examination, the bracelets had different designs; Jungkook’s had one knot, while Winter’s had two. Fans also pointed out that these bracelets are widely sold by several popular Korean accessory stores and have been worn by multiple idols, not just the two in question.
They were seen wearing the same shorts and hats as well as the same style t-shirts (just in different colors) from the Japanese brand, Mihara Yasuhiro. Plus, they both shared the same songs, Justin Bieber’s ‘Devotion’ and Nova Amor’s ‘Weather’ on Instagram.
When Jungkook rejoined Instagram in July 2025, his handle was briefly “@imjungkook,” which some fans said was similar to Winter’s handle “@imwinter.” Fans quickly reminded everyone that “im” is a very common prefix used by many Korean idols and influencers. Jungkook later changed his username to “@mnijungkook” (My name is Jungkook).
Another popular point that spread on social media was their similar nail colors. In July, Jungkook was seen with a blue-painted nail while at the airport, which some fans connected to Winter, who had sported a similar color on stage.
However, it was soon clarified that his blue nail was actually part of the Polished Man campaign, a global movement that raises awareness about violence against women and children. The campaign encourages participants to paint one nail blue as a sign of support.
There were also claims about matching fashion items like hats and shorts, similar in-ear monitors, and even gym sightings. Yet, most of these turned out to be coincidences. Many idols wear the same brands, such as NEEDLES and Niels, which are extremely popular in Korea’s entertainment scene. The in-ear monitors used by both artists also come from a major Korean manufacturer that supplies most K-pop acts.
The dating rumor between Jungkook and Winter first started in 2023, when they were both spotted attending the same Harry Styles concert in Seoul and were sitting in the same VIP section.
Fans speculated that the two might have been together, but there was no concrete proof. The rumors eventually died down, only to resurface multiple times over the next two years, most recently with the bracelet incident this month.
So far, neither BTS’s Jungkook nor aespa’s Winter has commented on the rumor. On the work front, Winter is busy with aespa’s ongoing tour, and Jungkook is preparing alongside BTS for their anticipated 2026 group comeback.
