Winter, a member of the Gen Z girl group aespa, has often found herself at the center of online debates in South Korea, with international media picking up on the discussions. The controversies revolve around her childhood experience raising hamsters, the way she interacts with cats, her phone habits on shows, and her attitude toward fellow members.
The “Hamster Scandal”
In August 2021, Winter shared on the Dear U. Bubble app that she had once raised 25 hamsters as a child. According to her, she started with just two, but because of their fast breeding rate, the number quickly increased until only one was left in the end.
Winter also remarked: “Hamsters don’t live very long. They only live about two years. So if you raise one, you need to be prepared for the farewell.”
Some netizens criticized her, arguing that keeping too many hamsters together shows a lack of understanding and could have caused stress for an animal that prefers solitude. Others felt that the way she recounted the story as a “cute” memory reflected insensitivity toward animal welfare.
Fans, however, defended her, pointing out that Winter was only a child at the time and lacked the proper knowledge to care for them correctly. Sharing the memory, they argued, did not mean she disregarded animal lives.
The Cat Video
In late August 2021, a video shared on Bubble showed Winter interacting with a cat, stroking its face a little roughly while mimicking a “meow.” Some viewers believed the cat looked uncomfortable and labeled it “animal abuse.”
But from the perspective of many cat owners, it was merely playful behavior that went slightly overboard, not something harmful. The cat only leaned back slightly without panicking or showing strong resistance—clear signs it wasn’t truly in pain or distress.
Phone Usage Criticism
Winter again drew attention for what was perceived as excessive phone use. On MBC’s Omniscient Interfering View, she was seen focusing on her phone instead of joining conversations. Some fans also pointed out that during a U.S. showcase, she seemed preoccupied with her phone instead of engaging with the audience.
This led to speculation, with some suggesting she was messaging a “special someone,” sparking dating rumors. Others countered that it was simply a personal habit that had been exaggerated due to camera angles and heightened online scrutiny.
Photoshop Allegations
Winter faced accusations of photoshopping after fans noticed irregularities around her waist in some photos uploaded online. While some blamed her directly, others argued that it was more likely an editing error by SM Entertainment’s image management team, not something done by Winter herself.
Attitude Toward Members
On the Chinese platform Zhihu, discussions surfaced over a Christmas 2020 video where Winter was accused of keeping the best gift for herself while leaving less desirable ones for Ningning and Giselle. The incident led to her being labeled as “selfish.”
Additionally, during a birthday celebration, when Giselle gave Winter a hand-painted artwork, Winter was said to have reacted indifferently, drawing criticism for not appreciating her bandmate’s effort.
The Skirt-Flipping Concert Incident
At aespa’s concert in Kent, Washington, in January 2025, Winter accidentally flipped her skirt into Ningning’s face while performing. The incident quickly became a hot topic online.
Some audience members criticized Winter as unprofessional for continuing the performance without checking on her teammate and even smiling afterward.
A harsher interpretation claimed her expression looked “smug.” On the other hand, many defended Winter, pointing out that the skirt flip was part of the stage choreography and accidental contact was unavoidable with Ningning standing behind her. With the performance tightly choreographed, Winter had little choice but to carry out the move as planned.
At the following concert on January 30, Winter deliberately adjusted her position, stepping back to prevent the mishap from happening again. Fans also explained that her smile was a natural reaction, even playful teasing between close members. Nonetheless, some Chinese fan communities of Ningning remained unconvinced, with certain groups launching boycott movements against Winter in the Chinese market.
