aespa member Winter (Kim Min-jeong 김민정) recently attended the 2026 Melon Music Awards, where her red carpet look unexpectedly sparked discussion. A 'couple tattoo' that previously fueled dating rumors between her and BTS member Jungkook (Jeon Jung-kook 전정국) has once again become a focal point for netizens.
Korea's annual music event, the 2026 Melon Music Awards, took place yesterday (November 14) at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul. aespa was invited to attend, and the members appeared on the red carpet in succession. Winter's styling that day drew particular attention. However, after the event, Korean media noticed that her dog tattoo, which had previously caused a stir, appeared to have 'vanished' in public photos.
Korean media even reported with headlines such as, "Winter's dog tattoo, which caused a stir due to dating rumors with Jungkook, has now completely disappeared... as if out of thin air." The news immediately sparked discussion among international fans. However, after a careful comparison of photos, netizens' opinions were divided.
Many believe that Winter's tattoo has not actually disappeared, but was likely covered up with foundation, concealer, or other makeup to complement her formal red carpet attire. Some observers noted what appeared to be traces of coverage on her arm in the photos, asserting, "It didn't disappear at all, it was just covered up," and even suggesting they could see layers of makeup and concealer stacked on her arm.
Other netizens speculated that Winter might have simply considered her red carpet styling and the occasion, aiming for a cleaner overall look, and thus intentionally covered the tattoo. This, they argued, does not necessarily mean she underwent laser tattoo removal.
However, the renewed attention on this tattoo is still closely linked to the past 'Winter and Jungkook dating rumors.' Some netizens once again compared their tattoos, but others emphasized that even if Winter still has the tattoo, it cannot be taken as definitive proof that the two are dating, especially since Jungkook himself has multiple dog-related tattoos. The claims still lack clear evidence.
Some netizens couldn't help but quip, "Was it covered with a silicone patch and concealer, or was it really removed with a laser?" Others directly stated, "It's actually a bit awkward now; they might as well just go public with their relationship." These comments further intensified the discussion.
Looking back at the 'couple tattoo' controversy, netizens previously discovered that Winter and Jungkook allegedly had 'three dog faces' tattooed in similar locations. Coupled with claims that they used similar accessories and couple items, and even a rumor that Jungkook attended an aespa concert during his military service, these various 'coincidences' fueled persistent dating rumors within fan communities and on social media platforms.
Furthermore, netizens unearthed past stage performances and music video footage of Winter, claiming that the alleged tattoo could be seen in aespa's "Dirty Work" and "Rich Man," reigniting discussion. Some netizens believe that if the tattoo is truly linked to a private relationship but appears in public works, it might make some fans uncomfortable. Others suggested that instead of letting outsiders constantly speculate, "if there's a real connection, it would be more straightforward to just go public."
Additionally, in previously circulated photos from an aespa fan meeting, Winter was seen raising her right hand above her head. A bandage was spotted on her right hand, precisely where the alleged tattoo is located, leading to further speculation about whether the tattoo still exists.
In response to the ongoing rumors, both Winter's and Jungkook's agencies previously adopted a "no position" stance, neither directly denying nor further explaining the situation, which only fueled external speculation. Some radical fans even believed that "not denying means tacit approval" and rented protest trucks to express their dissatisfaction outside the companies' offices. The trucks displayed strong messages such as "Cover up the tattoo and then explain yourself" and "If you want to date publicly, don't do it as aespa's Winter," escalating the 'couple tattoo' controversy.
Now, Winter's tattoo on the red carpet has once again become a focal point, bringing Jungkook's dating rumors, which had been dormant for some time, back to the surface. However, based on current online discussions, there is still no clear answer as to whether the tattoo was covered, patched, or truly removed, and the rumors about their relationship remain in the realm of netizen speculation.
