In the world of K-pop, idols are expected to stay away from politics. But recently, aespa’s Karina found herself in a big controversy because of a simple Instagram post. What exactly happened? Let’s break it down.
The Post That Started It All
On May 27, Aespa member Karina posted a photo on Instagram where she was wearing a red and black jacket with the number “2” on it. In the caption, she only used a single red rose emoji. At first, it looked like just another stylish outfit post — but some Korean fans thought it had a deeper meaning.
Why? Because in South Korea, the presidential elections are happening on June 3. One of the main candidates, Kim Moon Soo from the conservative party, uses red as his campaign color — and his ballot number is “2”. Some people believed Karina’s outfit and emoji were a hidden sign of support for him.
Why It’s a Big Deal in Korea
During election times in South Korea, celebrities are expected to avoid using certain colors, numbers, or hand gestures that could be seen as political. Even something as simple as a peace sign or wearing a certain color can cause problems. That’s why many people thought Karina’s post was inappropriate, even if it wasn’t on purpose.
The Backlash
After the controversy started, Karina quickly deleted the post. She also sent a message through the fan platform Bubble to explain and apologize. However, some fans were upset that she didn’t post the apology on Instagram where everyone could see it.
Soon after, Karina lost about 200,000 followers on Instagram. Some of this might be because of Instagram removing fake accounts, but the timing suggests the scandal also played a role.
A Bigger Conversation: K-pop and Political Sensitivity
This situation shows how sensitive things can be for K-pop idols. Many fans supported Karina and said the post was harmless. Others believe idols should be extra careful, especially during election season.
Karina’s case reminds us how something small — like an outfit — can become a big issue in the world of K-pop.
What do you think? Was Karina’s post just a fashion choice or something more? Let us know in the comments!
