Girl group aespa, currently in Shanghai for the 'KMStation Shanghai Offline Fansign Event,' faced a disturbing encounter with aggressive fans. Member Winter was recently caught up in a dating rumor with ENHYPEN's Jungwon. While both SM Entertainment and Belift Lab swiftly denied the allegations, the rumor appears to have sparked backlash among certain fans in China.

Reports on social media revealed that an unidentified group had illegally obtained aespa’s travel routes and hotel address, using this information to ambush Winter and other members in an underground parking lot. The group reportedly attempted to take unauthorized photos, surrounded the members, and hurled profanities, escalating to direct threats of harm.

Although staff intervened belatedly, using umbrellas to shield the members, the group continued their aggressive behavior, shouting profanities and refusing to back down.

Fans are particularly concerned for Winter, as this is her first official schedule after recovering her health, and she may have been deeply shocked by the incident. Fans are seriously worried that these individuals may appear with malicious intent at the fan signing event or other official venues, potentially causing further harm to Winter and the other members.

Netizens commented:

"I don’t know about their mental state, but Winter is insanely popular in China. If you don’t know, just stay quiet."

"China is something else."

"It the dating rumor wasn’t true, why are they acting like this?"

"Those boy group fans are truly crazy. What’s so special about your idol?"

"If you look on Weibo, it’s not a fight between fanbases but rather solo stans fighting among themselves. People are assuming it’s all aespa fans, but why are boy group fans being brought into this?"

"What the heck?"

"Minjeong ah…ㅠㅠ"

"I’m so angry. Don’t mess with Minjeong, seriously."

"Security staff push fans, shout, and act aggressive, but when something like this happens, all they do is open umbrellas and panic. Why are they even being paid?"

"Why assume it was boy group fans when it’s unclear if the ones cursing were Winter fans or someone else?"

"Is it because they said she’s dating Yang Jungwon? But is ENHYPEN really that popular in China?"

"She’s not dating him. Don’t spread rumors."

"She’s not dating him!!! It’s baseless, so why are you spreading rumors?"

"Are these people mentally unstable?"

"Didn’t the boy group member already deny it himself that it’s not true? Why don’t they believe him? If it’s not boy group fans, then was it just extreme solo fans of aespa?"

"Crazy fans."

"This is so infuriating."

"Obsessive fans are the same everywhere."

"They’re acting like this because they enjoy it. It’s just entertainment for them."

"Chinese sasaengs have always been notorious. SM isn’t doing anything about protecting Winter."

"Right now on Weibo, it looks like they just want to destroy Winter. These people are insane."

"What did Winter even do to deserve this treatment?"

"Damn it, I’m furious. Chinese Winter fans have been preparing birthday events and welcoming her warmly. Now they’re angry and asking SM to protect her."

"It’s heartbreaking… she just recovered and this is her first official schedule. Chinese fans even prepared big ads to welcome her."

"Fans are the same everywhere, obsessed with boy idols and acting without shame. Just expose their faces."

"Boy group fans are such a problem everywhere."

"This feels like 1st gen K-pop sasaeng behavior. Why are they acting like this?"

"Why did they go to China? Please protect her."

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