A controversial post about aespa Winter has gone viral on Korean community platform Pann, drawing close to 110,000 views and sparking heated discussion over the idol’s public persona versus her private behavior.
The post, titled “Winter always says she can’t drink, but she really seems to love alcohol”, accuses Winter of maintaining a misleading image. The original poster (OP) wrote, “She always says on broadcasts that she can’t or doesn’t drink, but most of her public sightings are at bars or clubs.”
The OP cites multiple incidents, including Winter’s presence at 2NE1’s concert afterparty, which was described as a club-like atmosphere, and her attendance at Kanye West’s listening party the night before an overseas performance. They allege she partied with fellow member Giselle, boarded a red-eye flight with Karina and Ningning, and performed in Bangkok the next day.
The post further criticizes Winter for drinking beer during an Instagram live, adopting more revealing fashion, and getting visible tattoos, all of which allegedly contradict the image fans expect from her. The OP speculates that Winter has long wanted to live this way but only now feels free enough to show it, suggesting a disconnect between her original image and current behavior.
“She’s slowly doing whatever she really wants. When fans react negatively, she just ignores it and increases her livestreams and Bubble messages,” the OP wrote, warning that core fans may begin to turn away.
The post has sparked debate online, with most netizens defending Winter’s personal freedom and right to evolve.
Comments on Pann:
- You’re clearly the same person who wrote that post about aespa’s dorm, and just a few days ago, that comment under Winter’s tattoo post claiming she suddenly started going live and messaging fans because she sensed their disapproval—and then you added some ridiculously fake, fat-shaming comment. It’s obvious you’re one person doing all this. Even aespa’s parents wouldn’t try to control them like this, so cut it out. If you’re gonna act like this, go collect dolls instead.
- You rambled on, but your final point is the real one—no need to worry about Winter’s core fans, if anything, they’ve grown. LOL. During hiatus, she didn’t even have her own variety content, but fans were genuinely happy just with her livestreams and the Children’s Day video she posted. So who exactly are you a fan of? Don’t take out your inferiority complex on Winter, please.
- Hey, don’t waste your wish, her core fanbase isn’t going anywhere~ Even office workers have a beer after work, so why are you like this? And it’s not like she was openly drinking, it was just a glimpse of fruit and beer. The afterparty was an invitation from her seniors, and the Kanye event was just watching a show and sipping water. Why are you overreacting? Also, the places with Winter’s autograph aren’t bars, they’re restaurants too, so stop lying. The only thing decreasing around Winter are your brain cells. People predicting her fanbase will shrink are the real delulu ones. Are you one of them…?
- So basically, you’re throwing a fit over a 25-year-old drinking alcohol?
- It’s seriously ridiculous that this kind of unhinged post got 22 upvotes. LOL. Seems like you enjoy getting sued—I’ll make sure it’s a solid one this time.
As aespa continues their global promotions and builds momentum with their music, how this controversy affects Winter’s standing with fans, and the group’s public image, remains to be seen.
