Karina of K-pop group aespa has released an apology to fans all because her relationship went public.
Some of the South Korean star’s fans were left furious when her romance with actor Lee Jae-wook was revealed. In the K-pop industry, dating is either banned by the idols’ entertainment companies or just frowned upon by fans.
And for Karina, whose group aespa performed at London’s O2 last year, the latter is true. An electronic billboard was stationed outside the singer’s company, SM, with the words: “Is the love given to you by your fans not enough?”
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The same so-called fans said they felt “betrayed”. They also threatened to stop buying aespa’s albums and buying concert tickets.
(Image: ImaZins via Getty Images)
Now, the 23-year-old has released an apology to fans – although many have been left defending her in return. In it, Karina promised to show a “more mature and hardworking side”.
She wrote: “I am sorry to have shocked you so much.” The apology went on: “I know very well just how disappointed MYs [aespa’s fandom], who have been supporting me all this while, were and just how sad you must’ve been as you recalled everything we have talked about together.”
Karina expressed she was “worried she may be hurting” her fans, who have “given her the gift of the warmest winter” ever since she debuted with aespa in 2020. She described her fans as “precious people” to her.
(Image: VCG via Getty Images)
The apology sparked a huge debate among fans online, with those outside of South Korea largely defending the megastar. One said: “Karina apologising makes me so mad y’all really hate your idols and don’t want them to be happy and experience life. Selfish f***s.”
Another said: “Karina apologising for liking someone has to be one of the craziest things in the world.” As a third wrote: “She shouldn’t be apologising. We love you Karina.”
The original complaint on the electronic billboard, however, claimed Karina had “messed up her own career”. It added: “All your efforts have been denied by a single dating rumour.”
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
While dating among celebrities is a hot topic and tabloid regular over here, it’s big news for K-pop stars. And Karina isn’t the only person to have been forced to apologise when their relationship is made public.
The likes of Super Junior’s Heechul and Twice’s Momo have also released similar statements in the past. Meanwhile, others have explained that they were banned from dating, so as not to distract them, during the early days of their careers.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
