Aespa’s Winter / Xportsnews
Winter of aespa drew attention at a major end-of-year K-pop event after appearing on the red carpet with her arm tattoo seemingly concealed with makeup. The tattoo had previously fueled dating rumors involving BTS member Jung Kook. The moment sparked online debate, as fans speculated whether the singer had intentionally covered what many believe to be a matching couple tattoo.
Winter attended the 2025 SBS Gayo Daejeon at Inspire Arena in Incheon, where the show reflected on the past year of K-pop under the theme “Golden Loop.” The annual program, hosted by IVE’s Ahn Yu-jin, DAY6’s Young K and NCT’s Jaemin, featured more than thirty performing teams from major fourth-generation groups, highlighting the scale and competitiveness of Korea’s idol music industry for viewers around the world.
Aespa’s Winter / Xportsnews
On the red carpet, Winter wore a light blue-gray dress that exposed her shoulders and arms, drawing attention to the area where fans had previously spotted a small dog-shaped tattoo. In photos from the event, however, the marking appeared to be almost fully concealed, as if covered by makeup, leading to renewed speculation and curiosity on social media. Many users posted comments such as “So it can really be covered,” “If it was this easy, why didn’t she hide it before,” and “It looks so natural that I wouldn’t have noticed,” as online reactions continued to circulate.
The tattoo first became a point of controversy after dating rumors involving Jung Kook and Winter spread rapidly across online communities and social media earlier this month. Fans noted that both artists appeared to have similar dog-shaped tattoos in comparable positions on their arms, interpreting the detail as a possible sign that the two were romantically involved. Observers also pointed to similarities in accessories, in-ear monitor designs, and social media usernames, further fueling speculation.
Aespa’s Winter / Captured from SBS
Winter previously drew attention on Dec. 19, when she performed wearing a single glove on one arm — the same arm where the tattoo was believed to be located. At the time, the choice prompted debate over whether she was deliberately concealing the marking or simply making a styling decision.
Despite the growing interest, both agencies have remained silent. BigHit Music, representing Jung Kook, and SM Entertainment, representing Winter, have not issued any statements regarding the dating rumors. Industry watchers say that the absence of a response is contributing to continued public speculation.
Aespa is scheduled to appear next at the 2025 MBC Gayo Daejeon on Dec. 31, where attention is expected to remain focused on whether Winter will once again conceal the tattoo or allow it to be seen.
This article from Xportsnews is adapted by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.