Aespa Karina Faces Consecutive Scandals Sparking Intense Viral Backlash

Karina is facing heavy backlash over multiple controversies in just four months.

A viral post on X listed five incidents involving Karina, sparking huge debate among Korean netizens. The post racked up nearly 25,000 likes in 24 hours.

The controversy began during the Korean election season in May when Karina wore a jacket with the number 2 and red patterns. Many saw this as support for conservative candidate Kim Moon Soo, which sparked outrage since idols are expected to stay neutral politically. Karina deleted the photo and apologized later on Bubble.

Soon after, at the 2025 ASEA awards in Japan, Karina mispronounced aespa’s name as “aespo” during their speech. The laughter on stage didn’t sit well with many fans, as they thought she was making light of her earlier political controversy.

In September, Karina was criticized for her dance during aespa’s “Rich Man” performance on Good Morning America. Fans and netizens said her stage presence looked awkward and questioned her skills as a main dancer.

The latest firestorm started at W Korea’s breast cancer awareness charity event. Karina joined the “Your Body is So Sweet” challenge and wore a dress that many called inappropriate for the occasion. Her behavior—getting drunk and acting flirty—sparked even more criticism.

[선거철에 2찍 티내고+시상식에서 폭소하고+미국가서 립싱크하다가 무대에서 웃참하고+라방켜서 기싸움하고+유방암행사에서 드레스입고 좆목질하다 술 취함
이 모든게 4개월 안에 일어난일이라고? ㅇㄱㅈㅉㅇ?] — 8️⃣ (@luvstarryyH) October 16, 2025

Many netizens claim Karina and aespa get undeserved praise despite repeated slip-ups.

[꾸준히 너무 나댐 근데 또 이미지는 나락이 잘 안됨 남자들이 너무 빨아줌] — 햐미 (@xswnkp) October 16, 2025

[가진 거에 비해 그녀들에게 주어진 자리가 너무 높았슨] — 가능충 (@u1w7l) October 16, 2025

[에스파는 대중을 뭘로 생각하는거야? 한결같이 발전은 커녕 퇴화하네……. 이 짤중 3개가 다 올해야.. 작년에 운좋게 떡상하고 좆예인병 쎄게 걸리셨음] — ! (@bgwdbtg) October 16, 2025

But others stepped up for Karina, saying female idols face unfair criticism while W Korea should be held responsible for the event issues.

[와..4개월동안 욕 먹는 수준이
카리나 모든 병크>>>>>>>문ㅌㅇ성범죄
인데
님들 여돌만 존나 패는 거 맞아요] — 톨톨 (@Toltol01) October 16, 2025

[진짜존나이상함이플로우자체가
까야하는것: 더블유코리아와 그 행사에서 있었던 연예인들의 불미스러운일
정작실질적으로생기는것: 여돌 외모 까글, 성희롱, 망상남친궁예, 갑자기 남미새 만들기, 상관없는 여돌 갑자기 까기, 여돌 내려치기 위해 타돌 끌고오기, 각종 인신공격과 조롱] — 수고 (@1030soogo_) October 16, 2025

So far, SM Entertainment and other agencies involved with the W Korea event have not commented on the backlash.

Karina Instagram