The new year has officially kicked off with a burst of creativity from Starship Entertainment. On January 1, 2026 (KST), the agency sent fans into a frenzy by confirming that KiiiKiii will be making their highly anticipated return with a new album at the end of this month.
To mark the beginning of their comeback promotions, the group has overhauled their official digital presence and released a stunning set of teaser photos that hint at a fantastical and immersive new era.
The announcement has already generated significant buzz, positioning KiiiKiii as one of the first major groups to watch in 2026.
The “Delulu World” Concept
Earlier this week, KiiiKiii’s official website underwent a major transformation, adopting a theme titled ‘Delulu World’.
This concept seems to lean into the playful, imaginative, and slightly surreal relationship between idols and their fans.
KiiiKiii (Credit: YouTube)
- Interactive Website: The new layout features an intricate fairy tale castle as its centerpiece. Fans can engage with the site through five clickable elements, each of which transforms the entire page according to a different mood or aesthetic. This level of interactivity suggests that the upcoming album might be a multi-sensory experience, possibly featuring different sub-units or varied musical genres that reflect these five distinct “moods.”
- Teaser Photos: On December 31, 2025, the group released their first set of teaser images. These photos showcase a dreamlike winter vibe, blending soft, ethereal lighting with sharp, high-fashion styling. The contrast between the cozy winter setting and the avant-garde “Delulu” theme has left fans speculating about the sound of the title track—will it be a winter ballad or a high-energy experimental pop anthem?
A “Happy New KiiiKiii”
The agency’s promotional tagline for this comeback is “Happy New KiiiKiii,” a play on the New Year’s greeting that promises a fresh start for the group.
This comeback is particularly significant as it follows a successful 2025, where the group solidified their position in the fourth generation of K-pop with chart-topping hits and strong physical sales.
Netizens have responded to the “Delulu World” theme with a mix of humor and excitement.
Many fans have praised the group for embracing a term that is so prominent in internet fandom culture, viewing it as a self-aware and clever way to connect with the digital-native generation.
“The website update is so high-budget, Starship is clearly not playing around this year.”
Strategic January Release
By scheduling their comeback for the end of January, KiiiKiii is positioning themselves to dominate the post-holiday music landscape.
With many larger groups currently on break after the year-end award shows (like the SBS and KBS Drama Awards), KiiiKiii has a clear window to capture the public’s attention.
This timing also allows them to promote during the Lunar New Year period, a peak time for domestic television appearances and variety show participation.
What to Expect Next
As the “End of January” release date approaches, fans can expect a rapid-fire rollout of promotional content, including:
- Tracklist Reveal: Which will likely explain the significance of the five elements on the website.
- Concept Trailers: Further diving into the lore of “Delulu World.”
- Music Video Teasers: Showcasing the choreography and the visual scale of the production.
KiiiKiii’s return is more than just a musical comeback; it appears to be a full-scale world-building project.
With their creative website and “dreamlike” aesthetics, the group is inviting fans to step out of reality and into a world where imagination takes the lead.
Stay tuned for more updates on “Happy New KiiiKiii” as they prepare to take the K-pop world by storm this winter. 2026 is already shaping up to be a magical year for KiiiKiii and their growing global fanbase.
Speculation regarding a potential relationship between aespa’s Winter and BTS’s Jungkook has once again ignited across online communities.
On December 30, 2025, a seemingly innocent remark made by Winter in a YouTube video led to a surge of “detective work” by netizens, breathing new life into rumors that have periodically surfaced over the past year.
While neither agency—SM Entertainment nor HYBE—has ever confirmed a relationship, the latest “evidence” has sparked intense debate among fans regarding the boundaries between an idol’s private life and their professional communication with their fandom.
The YouTube Incident: “Are You Watching?”
The recent flare-up stems from a video titled “Today, I’m a Western Cuisine Chef,” uploaded to aespa’s official YouTube channel on January 13, 2026 (KST).
The episode featured Napoli Matfia, the winner of the popular show Culinary Class War, teaching Winter how to make fresh pasta.
While operating a pasta machine, Winter turned to the camera and asked, “Hey, are you watching?” with a playful smile. When her guest asked who she was speaking to, she repeated, “I’m asking if you’re watching.”
Although the editors included a caption that read, “MYs, are you watching?” (referencing aespa’s fandom), some viewers were unconvinced.
Critics pointed out that Winter’s use of the informal “Hey” (ya) was uncharacteristic of her usual respectful way of addressing fans, leading to theories that she was sending a “lovestagram-style” message to someone specific—namely, Jungkook.
A History of “Evidence”: Tattoos and Accessories
The rumors are supported by a collection of alleged “couple items” and coincidences that netizens have compiled over several months:
- Matching Tattoos: Both artists possess dog-themed tattoos in similar locations. Winter has a tattoo of three connected dogs on the back of her arm, while Jungkook has a dog-style tattoo on his own arm.
- Coincidental Accessories: Fans have pointed out similarities in their bracelets, shorts, and even custom in-ear monitor designs.
- “Couple Nails”: Rumors were further fueled when both were spotted with similar-colored nail polish on their ring fingers just one day apart.
- Concert Attendance: Jungkook’s presence at an aespa concert during his military leave was a major talking point. Netizens noted that he rarely attends concerts of girl groups outside of HYBE, suggesting his attendance was a gesture of personal support for Winter.
Fan Reactions: Support vs. Criticism
The resurfacing of these rumors has divided the K-pop community.
On one hand, many fans argue that as adults in their mid-20s, both Winter and Jungkook are entitled to date and that the “evidence” is largely coincidental or speculative.
These supporters call for respect for the artists’ privacy and emphasize that their musical output remains the most important factor.
On the other hand, some fans have expressed disappointment, claiming that “openly hinting” at a relationship during official content is a disregard for the fan-artist relationship.
The Current Status of the Artists
Both Winter and Jungkook are at the pinnacle of their respective careers. Winter has recently become a cover star for ELLE D Edition and is preparing for a busy 2026 with aespa.
Meanwhile, Jungkook remains one of the most successful solo artists globally, with his military service completion being one of the most anticipated events of the upcoming year.
As is common in the K-pop industry, unless a clear “dispatch-style” report or an official statement is released, these rumors remain purely speculative.
However, the intensity of the reaction serves as a reminder of the massive global influence both aespa and BTS command.
Whether these “hints” are genuine signals of a relationship or simply a coincidence blown out of proportion by internet culture, they have certainly made Winter and Jungkook the center of the year-end celebrity conversation.
Both artists continue to focus on their professional obligations as the world watches their every move—on and off the pasta machine.
