SM warns of legal action vs online harassment of Winter after rumor with Jungkook

aespa member Winter. [Photo by Yoo Dae-gil]

SEOUL, December 10 (AJP) -SM Entertainment has issued a sharp warning over what it calls a surge of malicious online posts targeting aespa member Winter, the South Korean agency threatening to expand legal action against defamation, sexual harassment and fabricated rumors circulating after recent dating speculation involving BTS member Jungkook.

In a statement released Wednesday, the agency said it was “fully aware of the seriousness” of the growing wave of harmful content — including sexual remarks, personal attacks, privacy breaches and deepfake materials.

SM said it has been monitoring major online communities and social media platforms, where it identified “a large volume of malicious posts and comments” aimed at the singer.

The company said it has already begun filing both criminal complaints and civil claims against individuals who created or spread such content, and will submit additional complaints as it reviews further evidence.

The agency added that it has secured a substantial amount of data through ongoing monitoring and tip-offs, stressing that it will respond “without leniency.”

The girl band star found herself in the hot seat amid swirling rumors linking her to BTS's JungKook. Claims that the two shared couple-style tattoos, nail designs and similar fashion items spread quickly across Korean social media, fueling speculation among fans. Until the defamation claim, neither SM Entertainment nor HYBE, Jungkook’s agency, has addressed the claims, a silence that has only stirred further curiosity among online users.

* This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP.

YOO YOUNG HUN ygleader@ajunews.com