Karina sparked a political controversy after sharing a message that included the phrase “sorry and thank you.” Many interpreted her words as politically charged, linking them to sensitive past events and partisan language. Her message led to divided reactions across online communities, intensifying public debate.
Karina Faces Political Controversy Ahead of Comeback
Karina of aespa, 25, sparked renewed attention just before the group’s comeback. She addressed fans with a heartfelt apology following a political controversy that erupted two weeks earlier. On June 10, she wrote through the fan communication platform Bubble, saying, “You waited a long time. I worked hard and practiced a lot. I’m really sorry and grateful.” She added, “I missed you all so much.” aespa is scheduled to return on June 27 with their new single Dirty Work.
Controversial Outfit Fuels Political Speculation
The controversy began on May 28 when Karina posted a photo wearing a red and black jacket featuring the number 2. These elements—red, black, and the number 2—are often associated with the People Power Party, South Korea’s conservative party. Some interpreted this as a political statement in support of their candidate for the upcoming 21st presidential election. She deleted the post within two hours, which many took as a sign that she had become aware of the controversy.
Karina Denies Political Intent and Apologizes
Karina later explained that the post had no political meaning. She stated, “That was never my intention. I noticed that misunderstandings kept growing, and MYs were worrying a lot, so I felt I had to speak.” She continued, “From now on, I’ll be more careful and aware of these things. I’m sorry for making you worry again.” Her agency, SM Entertainment, also addressed the issue, saying, “She simply posted something about her daily life. There was no political intent. After realizing it could be misunderstood, she deleted it quickly. We sincerely apologize for any concern caused.”
Karina and Political Controversy Over a Loaded Expression
The phrase “sorry and thank you,” which Karina used again in her June 10 post, ignited a second round of controversy. Conservative critics quickly linked the phrase to former President Moon Jae-in, who had written those same words in the guestbook at a memorial for the Sewol ferry disaster victims. Many on the right argue Moon used the tragedy to gain political sympathy. They see the phrase as emotionally manipulative and politically loaded. Because of that, the right often uses it sarcastically to mock the left.
Karina’s Words Stir Reactions from Both Sides
Given this context, many conservatives now believe Karina used the phrase to ridicule the left. They claim she has revealed her political leanings. On the right, she has gained support and even admiration, with some calling her a patriotic idol. Meanwhile, on the left-leaning forum theqoo, which has a large female user base in their 30s and 40s, criticism has grown intense. Due to SM Entertainment’s recent announcement about taking legal action against malicious comments, most users have avoided direct insults. Instead, they leave sarcastic or mocking replies. The post about her use of “sorry and thank you” gathered over 1,000 comments, most of them critical. However, some users argued that attacking her over a vague expression seemed excessive, since she never clearly stated any political view.
MLBPARK Debates Karina and Political Controversy
On MLBPARK, a male-dominated online community, heated debates broke out about Karina’s intentions. While some believe her use of the phrase was coincidental, others argue she used it knowingly. Supporters of this view say Karina is extremely familiar with internet culture and memes, making it unlikely she used such a loaded phrase by accident. They point out that she has long shown a strong grasp of online trends and language.
Political Speculation Surrounding Karina Gains Momentum
Some MLBPARK users suggested Karina might be upset with the left due to a specific incident involving current president Lee Jae-myung’s son, Lee Dong-ho. He once made a sexually inappropriate comment about her online, which conservatives believe left a lasting impact. These users see her as a victim and hail her as a nationalist icon. They have started calling her a “goddess” and a “patriotic idol.” Still, others warn that idols should avoid engaging in political discourse. These users sympathize with Karina as a victim but prefer she stay silent on political matters. Despite South Korea being a democracy, entertainers still find it difficult to express political opinions freely.
Here’s a link to MLBPARK. Here’s a link to theqoo.
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I seriously cannot understand why people are attacking Karina. If she was subjected to language sexual assault, isn’t she the victim?! Attacking a victim just because she allegedly expressed a political opinion is absolutely insane. It really seems like South Korea isn’t a country where you can freely express political views, which is something I never imagined.