Her friend’s comment only added to the speculation.
Koreaboo
1 hour ago
aespa’s Ningning has fans buzzing over a photo fans are calling her “coming out” post.
| @imnotningning/Instagram
Ningning recently shared a series of photos on Instagram taken inside a trinket store in Los Angeles, California. She posed with an assortment of quirky items, but one in particular caught everyone’s attention: a rainbow fan with the words “GAY ICON” printed across it.
| @imnotningning/Instagram
The comment section only fueled the conversation, as designer Mark Gong (a known friend of Ningning’s) replied with a short but surprising message.
mark gong commented on ningning’s post
“gay mama 🏳️🌈” pic.twitter.com/J66ypINifh
— 🐿️💨 (@chaenglovesus) November 6, 2026
Now, many fans are reading the post as Ningning’s way of quietly coming out.
NINGNING BASICALLY CAME OUT ON INSTAGRAM😭😭😭❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
— bel ʕ ᵔⰙᵔ⠕ʔ (@haecheow) November 6, 2026
did ningning jus come out
— yushi sushi (@yushiscigar) November 6, 2026
ningning coming out on a random friday
— ؘ (@ningseung) November 6, 2026
ningning coming out as a Chinese lesbian on instagram because apparently doing it on stage and in bubble is not enough
must be a day that ends in y. pic.twitter.com/SiHWX5aH8i
— rex 🦕 (@4aespinks) November 6, 2026
Several have pointed out that it’s only the most recent in a string of LGBTQ+ moments for the aespa star, from other posts she’s shared to times she’s been seen with pride flags.
Ningning ❤️🩹 pic.twitter.com/0yKjnMVK4O
— ningning pics 🪽 (@ning2pics) November 6, 2026
fork found in the kitchen pic.twitter.com/cp0qJZmKJb
— 🐿️💨 (@chaenglovesus) November 6, 2026
the signs were there all along pic.twitter.com/Lx5WfRyNb6
— 🐿️💨 (@chaenglovesus) November 7, 2026
Despite the buzz, however, Ningning has yet to explicitly comment on the speculation around her sexuality.