In December 2025, as dating rumors between aespa’s Winter and BTS’s Jung Kook ignited across social media, the online abuse targeting Winter escalated beyond ordinary defamation. SM Entertainment issued a rare public statement on December 10, revealing that the company had identified “numerous posts on platforms such as DC Inside, Women’s Generation, Nate Pann, Instiz, TheQoo, Instagram, X, and YouTube that defame Winter’s character and reputation or aim to maliciously slander her”. The most alarming part: among the malicious posts were “sexually harassing content, manipulated images, and deepfake‑related posts”.

Deepfake technology uses artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms to create manipulated videos, audio, and images. The technology has been used for various applications, including entertainment, education, and advertising. However, its potential for malicious use, such as creating fake news or compromising individuals' identities, has raised concerns.