aespa’s Winter Sparks Debate After Fellow Idols Fail to Recognize Her on Variety Show

aespa’s Winter faced an awkward moment when other idols couldn’t identify her on a recent episode of “Nana Tour with Seventeen.” The incident has sparked online discussions about her fame outside the fandom.

During a quiz segment, the cast, which included active idols, was shown Winter’s picture but failed to name her correctly. This surprised many viewers, as Winter is a prominent member of aespa, one of the biggest 4th-generation K-pop groups. The show’s format usually tests how well idols know each other, making the miss even more unexpected.

This isn’t the first time Winter has gone unrecognized by peers. In a past HYBE variety show, male idols also struggled to identify her. While some netizens questioned her mainstream recognition, fans quickly defended her, pointing out her numerous endorsements and public visibility.

A post on the Korean forum Pann gained traction, with mixed reactions. Some argued that if Winter weren’t famous, she wouldn’t have been included in the quiz. Others noted that even well-known idols can be missed in such games, depending on the participants’ familiarity.

“If she really weren’t famous, she wouldn’t have been a quiz answer in the first place… Among 4th-gen idols, the only ones who have appeared multiple times in character quizzes are Annyungz and Karina–Winter. Just those four.”

“Did you even watch the video until the end? Both of them knew but still got it wrong. And to the people trapped in the delusion that Winter is a nobody: go outside, and you’ll see Winter’s New Balance billboards all over Seoul.”

Winter is currently one of the most visible idols in South Korea, with major brand deals including New Balance, Toreta, and Mamonde. Her face dominates advertisements in stores like Olive Young, and she has an upcoming skincare campaign. Despite the quiz mishap, her commercial success suggests strong public recognition.

The debate highlights how even top idols can sometimes be overlooked in certain settings. Variety show quizzes often rely on quick thinking, and mistakes don’t necessarily reflect real-world popularity. Fans argue that Winter’s consistent presence in commercials and media proves her widespread appeal.

aespa has been dominating charts since their debut, with hits like “Next Level” and “Drama.” Winter, as the group’s lead vocalist, has also gained attention for her solo activities. The group recently made waves with their latest comeback, further cementing their status in the industry.

While the “Nana Tour” moment was unexpected, it has reignited discussions about how fame is perceived in K-pop. Idols may be household names to fans but less recognizable to peers outside their immediate circles. Winter’s case shows that public recognition isn’t always linear, even for top stars.

 Source: pann

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