BTS Jungkook’s First Instagram Update Since Dating Scandal Triggers Scathing Backlash After Being Linked to aespa’s Winter… Again

BTS‘s Jungkook took to his Instagram and shared a selfie via Stories—known to be the first one he had ever shared after creating his new account @mnijungkook—and while something like this would usually be celebrated by fans, it is now setting off a wave of strong reactions.

The selfie itself seems harmless, featuring Jungkook staring into the camera wearing a mask.

However, it has since been linked to Bubble messages that aespa‘s Winter sent (also addressing her fans for the first time since the scandal broke), as she mentions “not catching a cold.”

It’s cold this weekend, so be careful not to catch a cold!
Since it snowed, watch your step too!

— Winter

Netizens are fierce in debate over whether Jungkook’s selfie might be “in response” to Winter’s messages, posted two hours after her Bubble visit…

• “Even if Jungkook really did post it without any deeper meaning, it still comes off as careless. He obviously knows his name is being talked about everywhere right now, and if he genuinely cared about his fans, he would’ve picked up on what they’re sensitive about at the moment and either held back or posted it at a time that wouldn’t cause misunderstandings. I can’t believe he’d be that thoughtless. He just comes off really immature at this point.”
• “He honestly just seems thoughtless… Jungkook, where is the person I thought I knew? I’ve watched you for almost ten years, and I still don’t get you. This is genuinely confusing. What was he even thinking?”
• “But is this really something to be upset about? Isn’t Jungkook usually a member who goes live pretty often anyway?”
• “Obviously posted it so his girlfriend could see it.”
• “Must be nice to be that carefree.”

…or all of the speculations are ridiculous, and that each idol is obviously just trying to connect back with their own fandoms amid the ongoing scandal.

• “Oh, Winter said not to catch a cold, so the mask? LOL. Guess Jungkook really doesn’t care at all about how fans feel.”
• “Wow, people are insane. No wonder he ended up like this.”
• “It’s nice to see Jungkook again. It’s been a while. But he’s become prickly.”
• “First selfie? He put in zero effort into this… Also, read the room, dude.”
• “Isn’t this a bit of a reach? Feels like even people who usually wouldn’t care are jumping in just to criticize.”
• “This is exactly why fans hate dating rumors. Fans and non-fans alike start piling on with mockery, hate comments, and wild speculation.”

• “So when Winter posts on Bubble, Jungkook responds on Instagram like this? LOL. That’s honestly impressive. HYBE should acknowledge it and let him pave a whole new way. LMAO.”
• “Did the two of them agree to post something together or what? Might as well go all the way to marriage. Don’t throw this away.”
• “Looks like they’re timing their posts together.”
• “Winter messages ‘be careful not to catch a cold,’ and he immediately posts a mask photo… This is wild. Why do a lovestagram with fans dragged into it? I’m honestly at my limit.”
• “What the heck is he doing, really?”
• “People calling it a photo of him not catching a cold LMAO. Posting his first selfie at this timing? He’s that devoted boyfriend, for real.”

Read more about Jungkook and Winter here:

“Worth All That Trouble?” BTS’s Jungkook Trying To Hide “Couple Tattoo” Resurfaces Online