Aespa’s Karina Misses Major Opportunity Due to SM Entertainment, Causing Outrage
Karina is facing backlash after SM Entertainment announced a special stage cover of her solo hit “UP” — but performed by rookie idol Ian instead of Karina herself.
MBC revealed that Hearts2Hearts member Ian will team up with izna’s Bang Jeemin and ILLIT’s Wonhee for a 2025 MBC Gayo Daejejeon special stage. Ian’s part? Covering Karina’s viral solo track “UP.”
Fans exploded online. The controversy began because Karina has yet to perform “UP” on any major stage outside aespa’s own concerts and a single WATERBOMB Seoul show earlier this year. Meanwhile, a junior artist is given the spotlight to cover her breakthrough solo hit, which won her music show awards and real-time chart all-kills.
The move sparked anger over SM seemingly sidelining Karina and downplaying aespa’s success.
“fuck ass SM not letting karina perform her solo song that literally charted and won at a music show but they let another artist from their company perform karina’s song???? FUCK YOU, YOU STINGY ASS BITCHES” — @for_yjm
“fuck ass SM not letting karina perform her solo song that literally charted and won at a music show but they let another artist from their company perform karina’s song???? FUCK YOU, YOU STINGY ASS BITCHES”
— @for_yjm
“it’s not only a song. karina wrote it by herself, give her idea and concept. the song got so many achievements with ZERO promo, and sm don’t even knowledge and congratulate her. but they used it to push rookie, when karina never performs it on mushow/festival.”
— @kariyoong
“So many different songs that Ian could have covered and they had to choose the one song that Karina herself has never officially performed on stage before. SM always finds new ways to piss everyone off”
— @aentivenom
“and she never got anything from the company. now another girl from a rookie group in the same company gets a special stage with HER song. karina, let’s not sign that contract renewal!”
— @rinaszen
Fanning the flames, this comes right after the 2025 SBS Gayo Daejeon, where Hearts2Hearts covered aespa’s “Dirty Work” and got praise — while aespa only did “Rich Man.” Fans fret this is part of a pattern of SM sidelining aespa.
“the girls themselves requested for special stage and got rejected by the company but a junior got to perform up before karina.… this company is a joke”
— @icurina
“I think its quite obvious that SM no longer has any interest in treating aespa well or protecting them they’re only using them to fund budgets for their juniors’ cbs It’s so tiring to see SM keep suppressing their potential eventhough aespa is the one keeping the lights on for SM”
— @notyujibin131
“The whole thing is even crazier when you remember aespa’s requests for doing special stages this year were denied by the company ”
— @myaespadolls
“SM shamelessly shoving aespa like this to the back like first its dirty work (NOT EVEN A YR OLD SONG YET) and now UP karina never even got a chance to perform this BRO. let these girls get their own fanbase dont use aespa like this”
— @synkbone
Korean fans also voiced outrage over Karina’s lack of stage chances for the hit song she helped write and popularize.
Karina and aespa will appear at the MBC Gayo Daejejeon on December 31 with a pre-recorded performance due to their 76th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen Japan schedule. It’s still unclear if Karina will perform “UP” during the event.
