Aespa’s Winter Faces Mixed Reactions Over Couple Tattoo Allegations

aespa Winter is facing backlash after covering up her alleged couple tattoo at a big public event.

The controversy started following Winter’s recent appearance at the 2025 KBS Song Festival on December 19. Fans had spotted what looked like matching couple tattoos linking Winter and another idol, fueling dating rumors.

At the festival, aespa performed “Dirty Work” and “Rich Man.” Winter wore a long white glove on her right arm — the same arm where the tattoo is rumored to be — which appeared to hide the ink during the broadcast.

Here’s a clip of aespa’s stage at the event:

Netizens quickly took notice and sparked debates online. Some said the tattoo was purposely covered because it was a public broadcast. Others pointed out Winter hasn’t always covered it on other TV shows and questioned the inconsistency.

Screenshots of online comments show mixed reactions:

“Her boyfriend must feel hurt.”

“The fact that it was censored at all is basically admitting they’re dating… If this was how it was going to be, why even do it in the first place?”

“Even if they censor it, people mock them. If they don’t censor it, people curse at them. What are they supposed to do?? Do people think tattoos can just magically disappear?”

“Sigh… honestly, both of them seem so pathetic. No matter what, it just makes you think, ‘Why did you do this at all?’”

The tattoo topic isn’t new. Fans have theorized about the couple tattoo before, but this public censorship at a major broadcast quickly reignited the rumors and cracked open debates.

aespa and their agency have yet to comment on the tattoo or the controversy.