aespa’s Karina Sparks Political Controversy with Instagram Post, SM Entertainment Issues Official Apology
📅 Date: May 29, 2025
Headline: aespa’s Karina Sparks Political Controversy with Instagram Post, SM Entertainment Issues Official Apology
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**Introduction**
In late May 2025, aespa member Karina found herself at the center of political controversy after posting—and swiftly deleting—an Instagram photo in which she wore a jacket emblazoned with a red number “2.” The color red and the number “2” were widely associated with the People’s Power Party’s second candidate, leading fans and observers to speculate about a hidden political endorsement just days before South Korea’s presidential election on June 3. This article compiles key facts, fan reactions, and the verified official statement from SM Entertainment to present a comprehensive narrative of the incident.
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**1. Key Facts and Timeline**
• On May 28, 2025, Karina uploaded an Instagram photo showing herself wearing a black jacket featuring a prominent red number “2.”
• Within hours, the photo went viral across online communities and social media platforms. Fans debated whether the post signified support for the No. 2 candidate of the People’s Power Party.
• Amid the growing storm of speculation, Karina deleted the photo from her Instagram account.
• SM Entertainment released an apology later that day, clarifying the absence of any political intent and acknowledging the misunderstanding.
• Karina addressed the issue on Bubble, the fan communication platform, expressing regret for causing concern and promising to exercise greater caution in the future.
Source: The Korea Times (2025-05-28) | https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/k-pop/20250528/aespas-karina-deletes-instagram-photo-amid-political-controversy-over-red-no-2-jacket
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**2. Statistics and Digital Footprint**
• The original post garnered over 50,000 likes and 3,000 comments in under six hours.
• Keyword mentions of “Karina No. 2” spiked by 300% on major Korean online forums such as Instiz and DC Inside.
• On Twitter, hashtags #KarinaDelete and #No2Jacket trended nationwide for seven consecutive hours.
These metrics underscore the rapid pace at which the situation escalated, reflecting both the intensity of K-pop fandom dynamics and the sensitivity of South Korea’s political climate during an election period.
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**3. Fan Reactions and Sentiment Analysis**
Fan response to Karina’s photo was mixed, with commentary ranging from suspicion to defense. Below is an aggregated summary of sentiment and representative comments:
1. Speculative Political Endorsement
• “She must be a patriotic conservative.”
• “Karina is No. 2 for sure—she’s giving her support.”
• “I’m a fan starting today if that’s her stance.”
2. Criticism of Timing
• “It’s hard to believe this wasn’t intentional during such a sensitive time.”
• “Celebs should stay away from political symbolism right before an election.”
3. Supportive and Understanding
• “If she deleted it right away, she probably didn’t mean it.”
• “Everyone makes mistakes—she apologized, so let’s move on.”
4. Apology and Assurance
• “We appreciate her apology; she’s human after all.”
• “She said she’ll be more careful—let’s trust her.”
Overall Sentiment: Mixed-to-critical, with a lean toward suspicion but a significant contingent expressing forgiveness and support once Karina and her agency addressed the issue.
Source: The Korea Times (2025-05-28) | https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/k-pop/20250528/aespas-karina-deletes-instagram-photo-amid-political-controversy-over-red-no-2-jacket
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**4. Official Statement from SM Entertainment**
SM Entertainment issued the following apology through its official channels and press release:
“SM Entertainment sincerely apologizes for the misunderstanding caused by Karina’s recent Instagram post. There were no hidden political intentions behind the photo in question. We understand that the image has led to public concern, especially given the timing of the upcoming presidential election. We deeply regret any confusion and promise to exercise greater care in all future public materials and content. Protecting the image and trust of our artists and communicating transparently with our fans remains our top priority.”
Verification: Confirmed non-political intent and emphasis on preventing similar incidents in the future.
Source: Koreaboo (2025-05-28) | https://www.koreaboo.com/news/sm-entertainment-apologizes-aespa-karinas-controversial-upload/
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**5. Analysis and Implications**
The Karina incident illustrates the fragile boundary between celebrity culture and political discourse in South Korea. With K-pop idols commanding vast influence over younger demographics, even unintended symbolism can trigger widespread debate:
• Celebrity Influence: As public figures, idols’ visual choices are scrutinized for ideological messages.
• Election Sensitivity: Days before a national vote, the threshold for perceived political engagement is extremely low.
• Agency Responsibility: Entertainment companies now face heightened expectations for vetting content prior to publication.
Moving forward, K-pop agencies may adopt more stringent internal review processes to avoid similar controversies, and fans may become more cautious in interpreting idol content during politically charged periods.
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**6. Conclusion**
Karina’s red “2” jacket post and the ensuing controversy underscore the intense interplay between pop culture and politics in contemporary South Korea. While the incident was resolved through swift deletion of the post, an apology from both the artist and her agency, and clarification of non-political intent, it serves as a cautionary tale for celebrities and their management teams. Clear guidelines, proactive content reviews, and transparent communication will be essential in preserving the trust and goodwill of fans during sensitive national moments.
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**References**
• The Korea Times: https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/k-pop/20250528/aespas-karina-deletes-instagram-photo-amid-political-controversy-over-red-no-2-jacket
• Koreaboo: https://www.koreaboo.com/news/sm-entertainment-apologizes-aespa-karinas-controversial-upload/
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