Amidst the mounting tensions between HYBE and Min Hee Jin, aespa‘s Winter has ignited a discussion through her recent engagements with fans on the communication platform, Bubble.

Recently, Winter shared with fans that she has unwavering support from her family. She shared the messages her brother and father sent in support of her when she expressed feeling overwhelmed. 

She shared, “When I mentioned on Instagram that I was struggling, my brother told me he’d take care of everything, remember? After he said that, our dad was like, ‘I will!!!! Step on them all for you!!! My daughter!!!!!!!’”

Winter’s father appears to have referenced the alleged message from HYBE’s chairman, Bang Si Hyuk. During her press conference, Min Hee Jin revealed a message where Bang Si Hyuk asked if she could “Step on (crush) aespa.“

After Winter shared the message on Bubble, there has been discussion in various online communities:

• “When asked if she could step on aespa, Min Hee Jin didn’t respond.”
• “Isn’t that the greatest compliment though?”
• “Why didn’t they hold a debut showcase for NewJeans? They did ones for LE SSERAFIM, BOYNEXTDOOR, TWS, and ILLIT.”
• “SM and aespa, can you step on HYBE?”
  “Min Hee Jin shouldn’t have ever mentioned aespa’s name.”
• “They’re all adults who are childish.”
• “Her dad is funny.”