A seemingly innocent Instagram photo has placed aespa’s Karina at the center of a growing political controversy in South Korea.
The post, which showed the idol wearing a black and red windbreaker jacket emblazoned with the number “2,” has sparked heated online debate due to its perceived political undertones during South Korea’s highly sensitive presidential election season.
The uproar began when netizens associated the number “2” and the color red with the People Power Party (PPP), the conservative political faction whose presidential candidate is designated as #2 on the ballot.
Adding fuel to the fire, Karina captioned her post with a red rose emoji, a symbol that carries political weight both in Korean and international contexts.
In South Korea, political campaigns are closely scrutinized for visual cues, and even seemingly minor acts like wearing certain colors can be interpreted as forms of endorsement or expression.
Supporters of Karina defended her by citing global fashion trends, pointing to pop star Dua Lipa, who wore the same jacket in a post uploaded in October 2024.
However, critics quickly dismissed this defense, noting that Dua Lipa is not Korean, is not involved in South Korea’s politics, and that her photo was posted months after the UK’s general election.
While Dua Lipa is known to support the UK Labour Party—also associated with the color red—her post did not coincide with a politically sensitive period. This, critics argue, makes the comparison irrelevant.
What made the situation more complicated was Karina’s lack of a direct, public response.
Although she briefly addressed the backlash on Bubble, a messaging app accessible only to paying fans, many felt this response was inadequate given the scale of the controversy.
Meanwhile, conservative supporters and even political figures began referencing Karina in public forums, effectively using her image to promote their campaign.
Her continued silence has led to further criticism, with some interpreting it as tacit support or an unwillingness to reject politicization.
The nickname “MAGArina” began trending among critics, drawing parallels to Super Junior’s Leeteuk, another SM Entertainment artist who previously drew criticism for appearing to support Donald Trump during SM’s 30th anniversary concert in Los Angeles.
This fueled broader frustration toward SM Entertainment and its artists, with accusations of a recurring pattern of insensitivity or political alignment.
Online comments reflect a deeply divided public. Critics argue that Karina’s actions were either politically intentional or dangerously naive, emphasizing that celebrities have immense influence and must act with greater responsibility, especially during election periods.
Defenders counter that she is being unfairly targeted, pointing out that a fashion choice should not be equated with political messaging unless explicitly stated.
Neutral voices raised more nuanced concerns—acknowledging that while Karina may not have intended any political message, her poor timing, lack of awareness, and silence in the face of growing politicization were bound to provoke backlash in such a charged environment.
As of now, public sentiment remains mixed but largely skeptical. The controversy has evolved beyond just a jacket into a broader discourse on the role of celebrity influence, political neutrality, and the power of symbols—no matter how subtle they may seem.
Karina’s case underscores the high-stakes reality for public figures in Korea, where fashion, emojis, and silence can all be interpreted as political acts.
The situation serves as a stark reminder that in a hyper-connected and hyper-politicized society, even personal style choices can become battlegrounds of public opinion and political identity.
