The political landscape in South Korea is becoming increasingly complicated as tensions rise ahead of the upcoming presidential election. At the heart of this situation is [Karina], a popular member of the girl group aespa, who has found herself in a political controversy that poses challenges for the brands she represents.
This incident kicked off on May 27 when [Karina] shared photos on her Instagram while visiting Japan. In one of the shots, she sported a jacket emblazoned with the number "2" in bright red, alongside a rose emoji in her caption. The internet quickly picked up on her post, leading to titles like "Karina’s Recent Update" trending in online forums.
The interpretation of her outfit and emoji didn’t take long to shift toward political speculation. Many fans and online commenters began to associate her post with the conservative People Power Party, as the number two and the rose symbol are key elements in their presidential campaign. Supporters of the party expressed their enthusiasm in the comments, hailing her as a "patriotic conservative," and the party itself later thanked her publicly.
As the situation escalated, [Karina] chose to delete the post and promptly addressed her fans, stating, > "I had absolutely no political intent. I will be more mindful and careful in the future." Despite her clarification, discussions around the incident remain heated.
Brands collaborating with [Karina] are currently taking a wait-and-see approach, describing the matter as a misunderstanding. So far, none have indicated plans to cut ties or withdraw advertisements that feature her. However, there’s noticeable concern among companies about potential boycotts from supporters of opposition parties, who are monitoring the situation closely.
In her role as a promotional model, [Karina] works with a diverse roster of brands, including Lotte Chilsung Beverage’s Crush, Coca-Cola’s Sprite, SPC Group’s Pascucci, Musinsa Beauty, Converse, outdoor apparel brand Nordisk, and luxury house Prada.
A representative from one of these brands commented on the timing of this incident, saying, > "Even fashion choices or gestures unrelated to politics can be misinterpreted. We understand this as a minor incident." Meanwhile, another spokesperson refrained from making any comment, saying simply, > "We have nothing to say regarding [Karina] at this time."
As this situation unfolds, the implications for [Karina] and the brands associated with her will be watched closely, especially as emotions run high during such a politically charged period.
