Kim Tae Rae, a member of the K-pop group ZEROBASEONE, recently found himself at the center of a subtle political stir after posting a photo of himself flashing the V sign—a gesture that, amid the upcoming South Korean presidential election on June 3rd, has been cautiously scrutinized for its political implications.
The V sign, in this context, is sometimes linked to candidate Kim Moon Soo of the People Power Party, who is ballot number 2.
Given this sensitivity, the photo was quickly removed from a fan communication platform to avoid misinterpretation.
Following the removal, Kim Tae Rae addressed the situation with a lighthearted explanation:
“I was told not to do the V sign because of the season.” He then cleverly added, “I’ll neutralize it with my phone color,” referencing his blue phone, the symbolic color of Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung, number 1 on the ballot.
This witty remark was praised by fans for its balance and humor, effectively diffusing the situation by showing neutrality.
In the tense pre-election atmosphere, celebrities in Korea tread carefully to avoid unintentionally aligning with political candidates through gestures, colors, or words.
Kim Tae Rae’s quick thinking and charming response earned him praise as fans called his move “smart” and “funny,” showing appreciation for how he handled the delicate moment with grace and humor.
