“…for an SM staff to buy this and let their artist wear…”
Recently, aespa’s Karina found herself in the center of a fashion controversy, but not in the way many expected. During a special fan meeting held in Japan on May 25, which marked aespa’s first exclusive event for their Japanese fan club titled TO MY WORLD, Karina sported an eye-catching outfit that sparked some heated discussions online.
The event featured a series of engaging performances with all members looking impeccable in their stage outfits. However, it was Karina’s ensemble that garnered unexpected scrutiny. She wore a pink tank top displaying the phrase “number 0 should always be yourself, I ♡ me,” a saying made famous by NCT Jaemin during his collaboration with the brand ITZVIBE for his photobook Narcissism.
Fans noticed that while Karina appeared flawless in her outfit, the text on her top co-opting the phrase connected to Jaemin’s brand collaboration raised eyebrows. This top, which mixes Jaemin’s logo and message, doesn’t appear to be an official piece from the collaboration, leading to mixed reactions.
Many fans were shocked to discover that the top was available on various sites without any mention of Jaemin or the collaboration. As discussions unfolded online, it became clear that this was more than just an aesthetic choice; it reflected on SM Entertainment’s handling of its artists’ work. Fans expressed their disappointment in a series of tweets, with one user stating, “What the hell is this? If it was a fan wearing a pirated outfit I would understand, but the damn SM stylist thought it would be good form to give it to Karina to wear????”
“Narcissism is owned and registered in Jaemin’s name and not SM. So I don’t really support any piracy of it but for an SM staff to buy this and let their artist wear them is crazy as if SM gaf about Jaemin.”
— Hậu Py (@haup2642001) (May 25, 2025)
While many fans are directing their frustration towards SM Entertainment and the stylists involved, Karina remains a beloved figure, with supporters emphasizing that she shouldn’t bear the brunt of this controversy.
