aespa’s Winter Under Fire For Controversial Photos Taken In Japan
aespa‘s Winter is facing backlash after posting a series of Instagram photos taken during her recent trip to Japan.
The SM Entertainment girl group recently flew to Tokyo, where they will perform a two-day concert at Tokyo Dome. After arriving, Winter seemingly decided to go on a late-night stroll and share some pictures taken then on Instagram. A few snaps in particular have people talking.
While two of the photos were taken outside Makanai Cafe in Tokyo, the first photo shows Winter sitting on the front step of what netizens are identifying as a private residential entrance. She’s seen posing casually next to potted plants, with a private gate clearly visible behind her. This location triggered criticism online.
First of all, I want to make it clear that I’m a fan of aespa, and I’d love to run into them if they’re in Tokyo, to the point where I’d want to get their autographs.
But that said, taking photos in front of someone else’s house, or sitting on their doorstep to take photos and then posting it all to Instagram, that’s really not okay…
The people living there must be absolutely fed up…
— Japanese netizen via X
僕は大前提aespa好きですし
東京いるなら遭遇してサイン貰いたいレベルなんですが他人の家の前で写真撮ったり
玄関座り込んで写真撮ったりして
それをインスタに上げるという行為は大変頂けないですね…家の人めちゃめちゃ迷惑でしょう… pic.twitter.com/NMm50wlqlN
— キャブ (@kabuakadayo0) April 24, 2026
The private residence is right next to the cafe, and the photos have sparked scathing backlash.
なんでaespaってずっとこんなにアホなん https://t.co/egR5fk8PiB
— 佐々木心菜(彩) (@oopena8) April 25, 2026
Why is aespa always pulling stuff like this? They’re so clueless.
— Japanese netizen via X
なんでこれがあかんってわからへんの？ https://t.co/RyKVGRHuzs
— 真味 (@li13xq) April 25, 2026
How do they not understand why this is wrong?
— Japanese netizen via X
これ2枚目普通に個人宅の玄関だろ
なんでこれがいいと思ったか謎 https://t.co/brQIxThELT— サイダー🍀 (@saida_twice_) April 25, 2026
The second photo is clearly just someone’s private front door. It’s a mystery why they ever thought that was okay to post.
— Japanese netizen via X
右はカフェだけど左は民家の玄関ですね
ファンが聖地巡礼とか言って訪れて座り込んだりしたらもっと荒れるので絶対に行かないでください https://t.co/c0OCbJTPJX— neko (@doranekochan3) April 25, 2026
The one on the right is a café, but the one on the left is the front door of a private residence. If fans start treating it like a pilgrimage spot and hanging around sitting outside, it’ll cause even more of a disturbance so please, absolutely do not go there.
— Japanese netizen via X
まって笑笑ヤバすぎるおかしい https://t.co/6H7DFhs0eO
— ドカグイ (@onegai0mymelody) April 25, 2026
Wait LMAO this is way too unhinged
— Japanese netizen via X
