Fact Check: Is aespa’s Karina The Target Of A Double Standard?

3 days ago 15

Are her photos political or misunderstood?

14 minutes ago

aespa Karina‘s recently found herself deeply embroiled in a political controversy…but why?

In the same photo dump as her black and red jacket (that left netizens with the impression she was representing the conservative party), she also posted various blue things: A large blue plate, along with her blue nails.

She is also using blue cups and bowls.

Other celebrities were given a pass for “neutralizing” their stance by posting red and blue, such as Jung Chaeyeon‘s red roses and blue sky (followed by a red rose emoji in the caption)…

…or G-Dragon‘s blue and red Instagram stories.

Actress Kim Da Som was also given a pass for her quickly deleted peace or “V” sign selfie where netizens commented that her phone neutralized it anyways (despite being purple).

While many netizens commented that Kim Da Som’s photos are simply travel photos in an Instagram photo dump, it begs the question of why many have not applied the same logic to Karina’s travel photos.

U guys never really cared about the political situation in Korea. Karina uploaded both of these photos in the same photo dump but u only saw the red jacket. Other idols upload a photo with red & blue, u call them Neutral King & Queen, but y'all accuse her of supporting one party! https://t.co/fuQQ6eoQMm pic.twitter.com/zpyQiRKV2c

— ꒒ꏂꍏꀍ – SOOYOUNG BALLERINA DAH TAYANG DI BIOSKOP! (@bubblibubblie) June 3, 2025

something ppl aren’t talking about:

karina posted 13 pictures besides "that one picture". there’s pics in which the number 2 was not visible, 6 of her pictures was without the jacket with a blue plate and nails. it was clearly just a photo dump that ppl made narratives about pic.twitter.com/i9qOfsO7Ai

— lar (@lisrinas) May 30, 2025

Additionally, with a history of matching the emoji to her outfit, the caption of a red rose aligns with her typical Instagram behavior.

karina has been using emojis to match details on her clothes since the beginning of her account. the rose isnt even a symbol of the party. she saw the misunderstanding, immediately deleted and clarified it WAS A MISUNDERSTANDING and even when idols are supposed to stay neutral.… pic.twitter.com/51sie2yCJ9

— 𝒦. (@KRNFILE) May 29, 2025

With a staff member carrying her jacket, netizens have questioned if its original purpose was a political statement or merely a poorly-timed fashion choice.

yall can see the bodyguard/manager on the right is actually holding the black and red jacket. if she was making a political statement with it why would she be carrying it around a theme park? https://t.co/YdwpBxtOJK
pic.twitter.com/coOoxe6bDV

— YJM1 soon (@funarishika) May 30, 2025

While nobody knows her true intentions with the photos, it is clear that they are originally part of a travel photo log with many other photos that are not scrutinized as deeply.