K-pop star Chaeyoung is acknowledging her recent outfit choices, including one that featured Nazi imagery.
The Twice rapper shared a statement about her. instagram on Tuesday apologizing for a photo she posted, then deleted, of herself in a swastika T-shirt.
In the original photo, Chaeyoung, whose full name is Son Chae-young, wore a top printed with an image of Sid Vicious. The Sex Pistols bassist was photographed wearing a swastika-emblazoned T-shirt.
“I sincerely apologize for the Instagram post,” he wrote. “I did not correctly recognize the meaning of the tilted swastika on the T-shirt I was wearing.”
The deleted post was quickly met with backlash online, with some users condemning the outfit choice.
“Even if Chaeyoung apologized, how come you don’t know the meaning of the swastika?” one Twitter user wrote Tuesday, referring to the ancient symbol that was co-opted last century by the Nazi Party, and later by neo-Nazis, and became an emblem of anti-Semitism and hatred.
“There is literally no way in 2023 that you don’t (know) what a swastika looks like,” a second user saying.
Chaeyoung’s statement continued, “I deeply apologize for not reviewing it thoroughly, causing concern. I will pay full attention in the future to prevent a similar situation from happening again.”
The image and apology come just days after eagle-eyed folks on Reddit noticed the rapper was wearing a graphic crop top. with a QAnon logo and phrase during a performance on saturday.
“If you are going to increase promotions in the US, have the US label CHECK HOW YOU STYLE IDOLS. Not styling anyone in neo-Nazi conspiracy cult merch would be a great start,” one Twitter said. the user wrote on Saturday.
The musician’s Tuesday statement did not explicitly address the QAnon crop top.
A mix of “disappointed” and supportive fans filled the comments section on Chaeyoung’s Instagram post. Some users praised the star for apologizing, and others said she should “inform herself” about the symbol’s history.
Chaeyoung is one of the nine members that make up Twice. Also in the K-pop group are Jihyo, Jeongyeon, Momo, Tzuyu, Sana, Dahyun, Nayeon, and Mina.
