aespa’s Karina Accused of Shading G-Dragon in Controversial Messages

aespa's Karina Accused Of Shading G-Dragon In "Thoughtless" Messages

aespa’s Karina is facing backlash after fans reacted negatively to messages they believe address G-Dragon’s controversial feature on the group’s latest single.

The controversy began when legendary rapper G-Dragon featured on aespa’s new track “WDA (Whole Different Animal).” The feature came after Giselle requested it last year during her appearance on G-Dragon’s variety show. However, aespa’s Korean fandom did not welcome his involvement and even boycotted the release because of it.

Soon after, Karina seemingly addressed fans’ “mixed feelings” about the song in a message on Bubble, which sparked more backlash from G-Dragon’s fandom. Many viewed her words as dismissive and disrespectful toward G-Dragon’s contribution.

[About] WDA, I know you probably have mixed feelings, but I hope you’ll love it.
— aespa’s Karina on Bubble

Fans quickly reacted online, interpreting Karina’s message as implying that G-Dragon’s feature was something fans had to tolerate rather than enjoy. Some criticized her for seeming to downplay the rapper’s hard work.

G-Dragon was asked for a feature, wrote lyrics with rhymes, and delivered his rap. So why does he have to get bashed by the other artist’s fandom all week and even hear that kind of talk from a junior artist lol
What on earth does “you probably have mixed feelings, but I hope you’ll love it” even mean;
— Korean fan via X

Others expressed frustration that G-Dragon’s fans were made to feel like fools for streaming the song, while some demanded clarification from Karina.

So G-Dragon’s feature is the song she has mixed feelings about lol… Making fools out of all the GD fans who were streaming it. Please, let’s never get involved with each other again.
— Korean Fan via X

It seems like a statement that makes G-Dragon, who busted his ass all by himself writing lyrics, recording, and promoting, look like an idiot.
— Korean fan via X