SM and HYBE Take Legal Action Against Dating Rumors Involving aespa's Winter and ENHYPEN's Jungwon

SM Entertainment (SM) and HYBE have taken a firm stand against the dating rumors surrounding aespa's Winter (윈터) and ENHYPEN's Jungwon (정원). On December 10, rumors surfaced claiming that the two idols were spotted on a date in Gangnam, Seoul, with a netizen sharing photos and videos of the alleged encounter. In the images, both Winter and Jungwon were seen wearing masks and hats, obscuring their faces. Although no clear evidence of them together was presented, the speculation quickly escalated due to their status as popular K-pop idols.

In response, SM issued a statement denying the rumors, asserting, "The dating rumors are completely unfounded. The individual who shared the photos attempted to contact a media outlet for monetary gain, but when the outlet refused to facilitate this, they maliciously spread false information. We will take legal action against this."

Similarly, Belift Lab, the label under HYBE that manages Jungwon, stated, "These dating rumors are not true. Belift Lab will take a strong stance against any actions that invade our artists' privacy and spread malicious rumors."

This joint declaration of legal action from both SM and Belift Lab marks a significant first in the industry. Sources indicate that this response reflects a commitment to no longer tolerate the actions of sasaeng fans, who have long been a source of distress for popular stars.

Sasaeng fans have been known to invade the privacy of idols, tracking their schedules and even trespassing into their accommodations, causing significant stress and emotional turmoil for the artists. Recently, there have been instances where these fans have attempted to extort money from agencies by threatening to leak private information. In this case, a sasaeng fan reportedly demanded money from SM and HYBE, claiming to have photos, and resorted to spreading false information after being denied.

The actions taken by SM and HYBE are seen as a serious response to the invasion of personal privacy and the dissemination of false information, which can severely damage reputations. Fans have expressed their support for the companies' decision to protect their artists from such invasive behaviors.