In a candid and emotional appearance on the YouTube channel ‘Fairy Jaehyung‘ on July 6, aespa‘s Karina directly addressed the political controversy that erupted during South Korea’s recent presidential election. Admitting, “I was truly ignorant,” the popular idol offered her sincere apologies and a detailed explanation of the incident that caused a stir among fans and the public.
The controversy stemmed from an Instagram photo Karina posted on May 27, during the height of the presidential election period. The photo, taken on the streets of Japan, showed her wearing a bright red jacket with a large number “2” on it, accompanied by a rose emoji. This combination quickly sparked debate among Korean netizens, who interpreted it as an implicit endorsement of a specific political party and candidate, whose campaign branding famously uses red and the ballot number 2.
Karina was quick to clarify her intentions, stating,
“There was absolutely no political intention behind it, and that’s why I really wanted to speak up. I sincerely apologize to the fans and everyone who was concerned.”
She recounted how the outfit was a spontaneous purchase:
“I was out with the staff, and since it was chilly, I quickly bought an outer layer to wear. I wanted to communicate with fans, so I uploaded the post, but after being contacted about it, I immediately deleted it.”
Acknowledging her oversight, Karina added,
“Even though I was overseas at the time, I should have known better. I realized I need to be more aware and educate myself. It’s true, I was too ignorant.”
The emotional toll of the controversy was evident as she shared,
“Since I caused the controversy, I felt I should take responsibility. But it was really hard seeing the other members affected by it too.”
At the time of the incident, SM Entertainment had promptly issued a statement to clarify the situation, emphasizing,
“Karina was simply sharing a moment from her daily life on social media with no political intent. Once she realized the post could be misunderstood, she deleted it. We sincerely apologize for causing concern unintentionally.”
Karina’s latest statement provides a deeply personal insight into the pressures faced by K-pop idols, who are often expected to maintain a strictly apolitical stance. Her honest admission of ignorance and heartfelt apology highlight the delicate balance celebrities must strike in a highly scrutinized public sphere, especially during sensitive periods like elections.
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