Red Velvet’s Irene and aespa’s Winter are breaking the typical age barrier with their unexpectedly close friendship. The duo, separated by a 10-year age gap, has fans melting over their sweet interactions captured during recent SM events.
This weekend at SMTOWN in Tokyo, Irene and Winter shared a warm hug and greeted the camera together, sparking fresh buzz. Fans are revisiting their moments, admiring how these two introverted stars got so close.
Winter wearing Irene’s name tag alongside Karina rocking Seulgi’s at SMTOWN LA attracted major attention online. It was a cute nod to their bond within SM’s girl groups.
Winter also famously called Irene “my love” on Instagram after Irene gifted aespa watermelon during practice. These little gestures show a genuine affection between them.
A viral Pann post with over 40,000 views highlighted the closeness and hinted that maybe their shared introverted personalities helped this friendship flourish.
Pann user:
“I find it kind of fascinating that Irene and Winter are so close.
At first, I thought it would be hard for them to become friends since they’re both pretty introverted,
but now it seems like out of all the Red Velvet and aespa members, these two are the closestㅋㅋㅋ So cute.”
Fans also point to their common Gyeongsang roots and Winter’s warm relationship with older members as reasons for their tight bond.
“They’re 35 and 25, so there’s a 10-year age gap, but maybe that actually made them click better since they’re both introverted? Anyway, they’re such a pretty duo, I love it.”
“Winter seriously adores Irene!”
“Introverts feel most comfortable when they’re with other introverts.”
Another fan caught the wholesome moment when the group known as “The Whiskey Bar Gang” — Karina, Winter, Irene, and Seulgi — was seen together, further fueling their friendship rumors.
No controversy here — just a rare, heartwarming friendship in K-pop gaining traction among fans fast. Watch this duo; they’re proving age is just a number.