aespa Winter's team issues a stern statement against dating rumours with BTS Jungkook; warns against harassment

On December 10, SM Entertainment issued a severe warning over hostile internet posts aimed against aespa member Winter. It launched legal action against defamation, sexual harassment, and false rumours spread in the name of the K-pop singer.

The statement read as, "We would like to provide an update on the legal actions being taken to protect the rights and interests of our artist, aespa’s Winter. Through valuable reports submitted by fans via ‘KWANGYA 119’ and our own monitoring, we are fully aware of the seriousness of the ongoing malicious posts and comments related to our artist (including sexual harassment, defamation, personal attacks, insults, invasion of privacy, deepfakes, etc.).

In particular, we have identified numerous acts damaging Winter’s character and reputation, as well as malicious postings and sexually harassing content made with the intention of publicly slandering the artist, on platforms such as DC Inside, Women’s Generation, Nate Pann, Instiz, Theqoo, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube. After reviewing these posts, we will be expanding the filing of complaints in stages.

Further complaint against malicious rumours and harassment

Additionally, our company is proceeding with criminal complaints and civil claims against individuals who have created malicious posts about aespa on the platforms mentioned above. We have also secured large amounts of evidence regarding the creation of malicious rumours, repeated spreading of false information, sexually harassing posts, and mocking or distorted content produced and distributed through personal social media, online communities, and anonymous forums. We will be responding strongly and without leniency, so we ask that you exercise caution to avoid being involved in any such incidents. We will continue to make every effort in all areas to protect the rights and interests of our artists. Thank you."