Aespa’s Winter recently encountered a disturbing situation in China, allegedly linked to dating rumors with ENHYPEN’s Jungwon. On December 15, 2024, during the group’s fan meeting, an intruder reportedly tried to harm Winter and Giselle. The individual managed to bypass security but was quickly apprehended by bodyguards.
The incident has sparked significant fan outrage, particularly focusing on the perceived inadequate response from security. Criticism was directed at SM Entertainment for failing to ensure the safety of their artists.
The public’s reaction was not just about security but also about the toxic behavior of spreading unfounded rumors. Following the dating rumors, which surfaced after Winter and Jungwon were allegedly seen at a bar in Gangnam in late October, fans and anti-fans alike engaged in heated discussions.
Fans took to social media to voice their disappointment and demand better protection:
“We need to MANDATE therapy for kpop stans.”
“If you can’t even provide safety to the girls then stop sending them here,” a fan said.
“It’s crazy how in this world how as a woman you can literally do nothing wrong and still be at the end of violence,” an X user wrote.
“Security was so slow oh my freaking god it’s really upsetting,” one person stated.
Jungwonaddressed these rumors on December 12 via a Weverse live session, denying both the dating allegations and unrelated smoking accusations. Both SM Entertainment and BELIFT LAB issued statements refuting the dating rumors. However, the situation escalated when an individual reportedly tried to attackWinter at the fan meeting venue, leading to further outcry.
“Fans r acc delusional .ik they r but seeing stuff like this still shocks me .how crazy obsessed do u have to be to think idols r u gf or bf..to point ur harassing someone for something rumour,” another fan wrote.
“It’s still SICK and isn’t behaviour that should be normalised,” an X user expressed.
This incident has led to calls for stronger security measures for K-pop idols, with fans expressing concerns over the safety of artists due to baseless rumors and the extreme reactions they can incite. There’s also a push for accountability, highlighting the need for a cultural shift in how fans interact with and perceive idols’ personal lives.
The incident involving Aespa’s Winter has highlighted serious safety concerns within the K-pop industry, prompting demands for both better security and a change in fan culture.
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