BTS’s Jungkook And aespa’s Winter Are Dispatch’s “New Year’s Couple”? Koreans Debate

Almost every January 1st, Korean entertainment media outlet Dispatch has long been known for dropping exclusive photos and reports revealing celebrity couples — a year-end tradition that has become part of K-Pop culture.

Since 2013, Dispatch has exposed public figures in relationships ranging from Rain and Kim Tae Hee to IU and Lee Jong Suk, often with photos that fans eagerly dissect online. 

With the start of 2026 approaching, speculation has revived online about which stars might be featured in this year’s Dispatch romance scoop. Recently, rumors have circulated that BTS’s Jungkook and aespa’s Winter might be next in line.

Looks like their photos will get exposed and they’ll end up officially acknowledging they’re a couple, lol.

I’m shaking

— Viral post on Pann 

However, not all Koreans are convinced. Some point out that Dispatch traditionally avoids targeting artists under HYBE — BTS’s agency — in its New Year’s Day expose, making a Jungkook pairing unlikely in their view. Others argue that rumors alone aren’t enough, especially since Dispatch didn’t announce a couple for the last two New Years, including 2025. 

• “For someone posting on Pann, you don’t even know that Dispatch doesn’t mess with HYBE? You’ve got no qualifications for this, seriously.”
• “Yeah. Dispatch doesn’t touch BTS.”
• “A dating rumor already broke before, so what’s the point? lol”
• “Why does it even matter whether they ‘confirm’ or ‘deny’ it? lol The 분위기 already feels like it’s basically confirmed. Dispatch would rather drop a brand-new famous couple… You really think they’d recycle an old dating rumor?”
• “That’s just your wish. Doesn’t seem like that’ll happen.”