Angry fans have accused singer Karina of ‘cheating’ because she is in a romantic relationship.
K-pop star Karina has apologized after angry fans accused her of “cheating” – as they discovered she has a boyfriend.
They protested with a truck in front of the artist’s agency after finding out that she was having an affair with actor Lee Jae-wook.
“Isn’t the love your fans give you enough?” asked an electronic panel in the vehicle.
In a letter shared on Instagram, the singer of South Korean band Aespa promised to “heal the wounds” he inflicted on her.
“I apologize for surprising you so much,” the 23-year-old wrote, promising to show a “more mature and diligent side” in the future.
The singer, whose real name is Yu Ji-min, has been the leader of the girl band Aespa — made up of four women — since their debut in 2020, with the single Black mamba. Last year, the band’s album My world it sold 2.1 million copies in South Korea.
But this is not an isolated incident. Pop stars from South Korea and Japan work in notoriously high-pressure industries, where personal disclosures can be tricky.
Just ten years ago, it was common practice for K-pop agencies to ban new stars from dating or even having a personal cell phone – and even now being in a romantic relationship is often considered a scandal to fans.
In August last year, the BBC reported how Blackpink singer Jisoo’s relationship with actor Ahn Bo-hyun shook the world of K-pop. Some experts told the BBC at the time that pop stars’ agencies tried to sell them as “romantically attainable” idols.
In Japan, many pop stars are subject to “no dating” clauses in their contracts and require permission to get married.
News of Karina’s relationship first became public on February 27. The singer and Lee, 25, later confirmed the pair had met last year.
Lee’s agency, C-JeS Studio, asked for “affectionate respect… as this concerns his private life.”
But some of Karina’s fans went to the headquarters of SM Entertainment, the company that formed and manages Aespa, to protest. The use of trucks has become a common practice used by K-pop fans lately to show support or displeasure.
“The love your fans give you isn’t enough for you? Why did you choose to betray your fans? Please apologize directly. Otherwise you will see decreased album sales and empty seats at concerts,” reads one of the messages displayed on the electronic panel of the truck.
However, not all fans were dissatisfied with the singer’s relationship with Lee, who debuted in the Korean series Memories of the Alhambra in 2018 and rose to prominence after starring in the fantasy drama Alchemy of souls.
“You don’t have to apologize for your feelings. I will always root for your happiness. You deserve all the love, support, all the good things,” one wrote.
Source: Terra
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
