SM Entertainment faces backlash over statement on aespa’s Winter amid BTS' Jungkook dating rumours; fans allege agency only responded 'because their stocks dropped'

Jungkook and Winter are speculated to be dating

SM Entertainment has come under intense scrutiny online following the timing of its recent statement addressing malicious comments surrounding aespa’s Winter, who has been embroiled in dating rumors with BTS member Jungkook. While the agency’s move to take legal action against harmful online behaviour was welcomed by some fans, others questioned whether the decision was motivated by concern for the artist, or by corporate interests.

The controversy stems from the sequence of events leading up to SM Entertainment’s announcement. As rumours linking Winter and Jungkook spread rapidly across social media, both idols became targets of speculation and malicious commentary. In response, SM Entertainment released a statement warning against defamatory posts and announcing legal measures to protect Winter. However, the timing of this statement raised eyebrows, as it reportedly followed news articles claiming that SM Entertainment’s stock price had dropped sharply.

Some netizens believe the agency only acted after realising that the rumours were negatively impacting the company financially. According to online discussions, SM Entertainment’s stock allegedly fell by around six percent shortly before the statement was issued, prompting accusations that the company had initially allowed the rumors to circulate, and only intervened once the situation began affecting investor confidence.

So in conclusion, Sm was trying to gain something from the rumors but their company stocks dropped so they had to release a statement.

— HIP HOP PHILE ⁷⁼¹ᵦₜₛ ᵧₑₐᵣ 💫 (@Amila66826503) December 10, 2025

First they were trying to milk outta this rumour, basically tryna gain something from it, tryna take that khia outta the khiaville now that their stocks dropped & that khia became more khia they r releasing a statement. Wow SM there is a special place in heII for you. https://t.co/0CctX2YOdN — み (@urmisope) December 10, 2025

SM DID NOT DENY THE RUMOR. SM ONLY REACTED BECAUSE THEIR STOCKS ⬇️⬇️⬇️

This fight is not over. — ᴍꜱʙᴀᴅꜱᴘᴇʟʟᴇʀ ♡ ⓋⓀ𐤀 (@MissBadSpeller) December 10, 2025

On social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), fans voiced strong reactions. One user claimed, “SM only taking legal action because their stocks dropped by 6%. This whole dating rumor was the worst thing to ever happen to Winter and especially Jungkook.” Another wrote, “SM released a statement only after their stocks dropped. Their strategy backfired.”

Several commenters went further, accusing SM Entertainment of attempting to use Jungkook’s global popularity for “clout.” Some alleged that the agency initially stayed silent in hopes that the attention generated by linking Winter to a BTS member would benefit aespa or the company’s visibility. When the backlash intensified and financial repercussions became apparent, critics argue, SM Entertainment was forced to step in.

SM stocks is dropped by 6% their smear campaign backfired to them no wonder they released a statement. — addi honest blinkstay (@gucciforjoon) December 10, 2025

So SM bitch released a statement when their stocks dropped pic.twitter.com/Un1s29srjQ

— 𝕭𝖔𝖗(ꪜ )⁷💣⟭⟬💜⟬⟭ (@BTS_Vgirl) December 10, 2025

Sm only taking legal action cus their stocks dropped by 6%. This whole dating rumour was the worst thing to ever happen to winter and especially Jungkook. When will hybe move and protect jungkook. Sm’s strategy backfired so much they released a statement. — alina ₇ (@alinadaagreat) December 10, 2025

Adding fuel to the controversy is the claim by some fans that SM Entertainment’s statement did not explicitly deny the dating rumours.

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This omission has led to further speculation and frustration, with users stating that the company’s response was reactive rather than proactive. “SM did not deny the rumour. They only reacted because their stocks went down,” one post read, while another concluded, “SM was trying to gain something from the rumors, but when their stocks dropped, they had no choice but to release a statement.”