Recently, aespa’s Karina found herself in the midst of controversy after sharing a photo on Instagram that sparked heated discussions online. The post featured Karina in a black and red jacket embellished with the number two, leading many to interpret it as a tacit endorsement of a conservative political candidate in South Korea.
The backlash was swift, prompting Karina to quickly delete the post. In response to the uproar, SM Entertainment issued an official statement clarifying that the image held no political significance or intention behind it.
Taking responsibility, Karina also reached out to fans through an online messaging platform, expressing her apologies for any distress caused by the unintended implications of her post. “I’m sorry for worrying you all,” she wrote, aiming to calm the storm that had ignited.
In an unexpected turn, Karina’s outfit went beyond social media chatter and made headlines on national news. Some outlets featured her photo as an example of appropriate attire for early voting—much to the confusion of netizens. Comments rolled in, with many puzzled by how a now-controversial outfit became a standard for polling day attire.
One user quipped, “Wow, she’s become a symbol of candidate number two,” while another sarcastically noted, “So she’s an ambassador for the conservative party now, lol.” Others shared similar sentiments: “What clear examples! So easy to understand, lol.” The reactions reflected a mix of disbelief and humor, with remarks like, “What is she going to do about her image?” showcasing the lighthearted chaos spurred by the incident.
As the dust settled, past actions of Karina resurfaced during the backlash, particularly her previous "feminist actions," inviting further scrutiny into her evolving public persona amid the ongoing controversy. It appears that this episode has left an indelible mark on her image, prompting fans and critics alike to revisit her history as a public figure.
