One of K-pop’s biggest stars has apologized for having a boyfriend after angry fans accused her of betrayal and threatened to boycott her music.
Karina, 23, shared a humiliating apology letter on her Instagram yesterday after her relationship with actor Lee Jae-wook became public last week.
The singer vowed to “heal the wounds” she had inflicted after a poster displaying angry messages was driven on a truck to her agency’s headquarters and parked outside in protest.
‘Why did you decide to betray the fans? Please apologize directly. Otherwise, you will see a decline in album sales and empty seats at concerts,” read a message in front of the SM Entertainment building.
Another asked: ‘Isn’t the love that Karina’s fans give you enough? Why did you decide to betray the fans? Please apologize directly. Otherwise we will see a decline in album sales and empty seats at concerts.’
Karina, 23, shared a humiliating apology letter on her Instagram after her relationship with actor Lee Jae-wook became public.
South Korean actor Lee has appeared in a number of popular television shows in the country.
The poster displayed the message: “Instead of feeling sorry for the fans, you should feel sorry for yourself, who has worked hard for seven years.” You ruined your own career. All your efforts have been belied by a single dating rumor. Are you satisfied?’
The electronic billboard was also emblazoned with a message accusing Karina of “ruining her own career.”
The harsh statement read: “Instead of feeling sorry for the fans, you should feel sorry for yourself, who has worked hard for seven years.”
—You ruined your own career. All your efforts have been belied by a single dating rumor. Are you satisfied?’
Karina, leader of aespa, addressed her fans yesterday in a handwritten letter and said she was sorry for having “shocked” them with the news.
She told the group’s fans, known as MYs, that she understands she “disappointed” them and that she felt “even more sorry” than they did.
The singer, whose real name is Yu Ji-min, has led the four-woman group since SM Entertainment formed it in 2020.
Their record-breaking album My World sold 2.1 million copies in South Korea and they have since gained global fame, most recently collaborating with Coldplay’s Chris Martin.
She is the most popular member of the girl group and has a staggering 12.7 million followers on Instagram.
The singer (far right), whose real name is Yu Ji-min, has led the four-woman group since SM Entertainment formed it in 2020.
Karina’s relationship with actor Lee Jae-wook, 25, became public last week.
Supportive fans have flooded her Instagram with positive comments since she apologized.
Meanwhile, South Korean actor Lee, 25, has appeared on a number of popular TV shows in the country and recently appeared in a Netflix movie.
Now news of their relationship could hit aespa’s record sales, with heartbroken fans threatening to stop supporting the group.
It comes after Blackpink star Jisoo came under intense scrutiny for her relationship with actor Ahn Bo-hyun, which became public last August.
According to experts, these types of relationships can be “bad for business” in South Korea and Japan.
In an industry known for putting pressure on its biggest stars, K-pop record labels have long monitored every aspect of their artists’ private lives.
‘They want to sell idols that seem, at least in an imaginary sense, romantically obtainable.
“Fans can imagine themselves in some kind of social relationship with this idol,” sociologist Dr. Patrick Williams told the BBC when news of Jisoo’s relationship broke.
Just a decade ago, it was common practice among stars’ managers to prohibit them from entering into romantic relationships or even having phones.
As K-pop has become a global phenomenon, international fans have expressed shock at such practices and a culture that discourages stars from dating.
Karina is the most popular member of the girl group and has a staggering 12.7 million followers on Instagram.
Many have expressed their discomfort that Karina feels the need to apologize for their relationship.
Supportive fans have flooded her Instagram post with positive comments since she uploaded it yesterday.
One, who confessed he was MY, said he was “happy for Karina” anyway.
One fan page commented: ‘You don’t need to apologize, it’s not your fault.’ True fans will be happy as long as you are happy, they don’t deserve you dear.
Another fan criticized the industry and said: “K-pop will never change if idols continue to allow these types of people into their lives like this, Karina has every right to love whoever she wants and should never apologize for it”. affectionate.’
And an X user wrote: ‘Karina apologizing for someone liking her has to be one of the craziest things in the world…’
Karina’s apology in full
Karina’s Instagram post garnered more than 2.2 million likes in 24 hours and was flooded with comments.
Hello, this is Karina. First of all, I’m sorry I surprised you so much. I was late (to address it) because I felt I had to be careful since the MYs were very nervous. I know very well how disappointed the MYs were, who have been supporting me all this time, and how sad you must have been remembering everything we have talked about together. Because I know how you feel, I feel it even more.
I have come to write you a letter in the hope that it will convey my feelings to you, even a little. The reason why I write this even though I’m worried that I might hurt you again, is because I want to sincerely convey how sorry I am to the fans who have given me the gift of the warmest winter ever since I made my debut. In the future, I want to repair the wounds that the MIS received. I have always been sincere with the MIS and even now, each and every one of you are very valuable people to me.
Maybe this is too short to express everything I feel, but thanks for reading it. In the future, I will not let MY down and show them a more mature and hardworking side as I promote. Please take care of me.
MYs, eat well and see you in good shape. I’m sorry and very grateful.
Source: Coreaboo
