While global celebrities are already extremely cautious when it comes to romantic rumors, K-pop idols operate at an even higher level of restraint. Regardless of whether dating rumors are true or false—and whether idols choose to deny or acknowledge them—the backlash and scrutiny they face from public opinion are almost always severe. As a result, idols tend to avoid anything related to dating rumors as much as possible.

However, there are also many cases in which idols have done nothing careless and are not even connected to one another, yet are still dragged into dating rumors through the subjective interpretations of certain fans. In some instances, these rumors spiral so wildly that they are treated as if the relationship were real. Since the beginning of this month, Jungkook has found himself in exactly such a situation, after being accused of being in a romantic relationship with aespa’s Winter.

Online, speculation has continued to spread based on various alleged “clues,” including claims that the two share similar tattoos, wear similar accessories, mention or play the same songs, and that Jungkook was reportedly seen attending an aespa concert during his military service.

Despite the fact that none of these claims have been confirmed as factual, many people continue to make accusations toward the artists and hastily conclude that they are a couple. In fact, even a single moment from Episode 5 of Are You Sure 2, released on December 17, was enough to reignite the dating rumors across online forums.

Specifically, in the latest episode, there is a scene showing Jungkook in a bedroom wearing pajamas with one sleeve left unworn. The unfinished sleeve fully exposes his left arm, which is covered in his signature tattoos, while his right arm remains completely concealed by the sleeve.

This immediately led some netizens to recall earlier allegations about a supposed matching tattoo of three dogs on Jungkook’s right arm—rumors that circulated widely when Episodes 1 and 2 aired earlier this month. Accusations soon followed, claiming that Jungkook was deliberately hiding one arm to prevent viewers from discovering a tattoo similar to Winter’s.

However, these baseless discussions did not last long. ARMYs quickly shut down the speculation by pointing out concrete evidence found within the very photos and video clips in question. Fans noticed what appeared to be semi-transparent patches on Jungkook’s exposed arm in certain scenes—consistent with medical adhesive or a dressing used to cover a wound.

Fans believe that Jungkook may have sustained an injury or experienced a skin issue on his left arm that required topical medication or ointment to reduce swelling or discomfort. His unusual manner of wearing the pajama top—leaving one sleeve undone—was likely because he had just applied medication after showering and needed time for it to dry.

ARMYs argue that there is no more reasonable explanation than this. Historically, Jungkook has never been someone who openly shows off his tattooed arms, nor is there any logical reason for him to intentionally wear his clothes in such an awkward, half-on-half-off manner. If he truly wanted to hide a tattoo on one arm, he could have simply worn the pajamas properly instead of leaving one sleeve undone.

In conclusion, fans hope that these unfounded accusations—intended to damage Jungkook’s reputation—will stop circulating online. They also urge others to stop overanalyzing and to put an end to the dating rumors that have been repeatedly reignited since early December:

- All his effort was met with malice and rumors. It’s deeply disheartening. Please stop spreading nonsense

- All these K Antis who are bent on making up shìt here are just jobless & are doing it on purpose. Please do not hype such posts or even explain. They wouldn't have showed it on the show if otherwise!! Sick!

- My son got too many wounds. All the sacrifice will soon be rewarded. May the Lord keep you safe and healthy

- We do not seek to deny his relationship (if any), but extremely unpleasant rumors are currently circulating based on this situation

- This makes more sense than all the unfounded rumors I've heard about Jungkook, i hope more people can understand this.

- koreans are mad that they can't control jungkook, he's 28 and they want him to be like 17 forever. most of them are ρє∂σρнιℓєs, they should stan newly debuted nugu groups, jungkook is too global for their liking

- LEAVE JUNGKOOK ALONE!!!!!! not one single day goes by without kpop stans breathing down his fcking neck for every single thing; we dgaf abt any tattoo, we dgaf if hes dating, its his life, therefore his choice; korean ajhumma fabs and akgaes need to leave him ALONE

- Stop spreading false rumors about Jungkook. They are so desperate for dating news that they start imagining things from absolutely anything

- I hope as years go by,these basic things will be normalized in K-pop lol..they got these men living a miserable life just to stay "Pure" like an "angel"..

- even if he’s doing it, that’s not our business. those ¢яєєρу persons - nOT fans - have to stay shut about HIS business. ‘cause IF he has the mALiciOuS tattoo, it’s still HIS life, HIS choice and the fact that MAYBE he’s hiding it tells us how this fandom is grown bad