Popular K-pop girl group aespa is currently on a U.S. tour, but member Kim Min-jeong (김민정), known professionally as Winter (윈터), recently experienced a health issue. Following a medical examination, she was diagnosed with shingles (herpes zoster) and consequently had to withdraw from the group's Dallas concert. The news has reignited discussions about recent photos of her taken in the U.S.
Recently, a post titled "Winter Diagnosed with Shingles During Overseas Tour" circulated on Korean online communities and social media, drawing significant attention from fans.
Winter's shingles diagnosis led to her inability to participate in the Dallas concert. Her agency, SM Entertainment, released a statement on September 30, explaining that Winter had felt unwell even before the Miami performance but professionally completed the show. However, her condition did not improve after the event, prompting her to seek medical attention, where she was ultimately diagnosed with shingles.
After evaluation, the medical team determined that Winter required ample rest and recovery. As a result, the agency decided she would miss the Dallas concert to focus on her health.
Following the announcement of her diagnosis, images of Winter taken in the U.S. prior to the news resurfaced and gained renewed attention. The photos showed her seemingly trying to cover her neck, with fans noticing pain relief patches applied to the back of her neck, leading to an outpouring of sympathy.
What saddened fans even more was that despite feeling unwell, Winter maintained a bright smile when interacting with them, showing no outward signs of discomfort. She not only waved to fans but also greeted them warmly, a professional and thoughtful gesture that deeply moved her supporters.
After the photos were released, many fans commented, "She's truly professional," "Her sense of responsibility is too strong," and "Shingles is really painful, I feel so bad for her." They also sent well wishes, hoping for Winter's speedy recovery. While fans praised her dedication to performing despite her condition, they also emphasized that her health should be the top priority, urging her to rest and recover fully.
aespa is currently on their "2026-27 aespa LIVE TOUR - SYNK : COMPLæXITY" world tour. Winter's diagnosis with shingles means she will temporarily miss some of the tour dates.
