Aespa’s Karina Faces Bullying Allegations Against Winter in Viral Post

aespa’s Karina is facing controversy after a clip of her playfully imitating fellow member Winter resurfaced online and sparked bullying accusations.

The clip shows Karina exaggerating Winter’s tone and mannerisms in a joking way. Most fans saw it as harmless teasing between close friends.

But a viral post on Pann claimed Karina’s behavior crossed the line, calling it subtle bullying toward Winter. The post said Karina “throws subtle jabs” and “deliberately exaggerates” Winter’s behavior. It also suggested Karina only treats Winter this way because Winter is “easy to push around,” unlike other group members.

>You have to watch the video. Winter is really gentle and soft-hearted, the type who can’t show when she’s uncomfortable, so she just keeps taking it.
>Meanwhile, Karina imitates Winter in that kind of way, throws subtle jabs at her, and even deliberately exaggerates the impression, yeah. On livestreams, she acts like she’s the closest to Winter, but honestly it feels like she does that because Winter seems the easiest to push around to her, lol. She can’t do anything like that to Ningning or Giselle, but she acts this way only toward Winter.
>Any aespa fan probably knows this.
>— Viral post on Pann

The controversy gained traction fast. But backlash against the bullying claims was just as strong. Many fans defended Karina, insisting the clip was playful and taken out of context.

Fans pointed out Karina and Winter have always shown genuine affection on and off camera since debut.

>“If you don’t have friends, it might be hard for you to understand what friendship even is…”
>“Honestly, this Karina–Winter ‘divide and stir up drama’ stuff is just funny from a fan’s perspective. These two have been genuinely close and affectionate since debut, it’s so obvious. Their dynamic isn’t popular for no reason.”
>“The fact that you see that as ‘picking on her’ is basically you self-certifying as a socially maladjusted, hardcore loser… it’s honestly kind of sad. Seriously, hang in there.”
>“Go watch the slide video and you’ll never say that. Two grown adults riding it while hugging each other from front and back. Do you think that’d be possible if they were throwing shade at each other? Just go watch it once.”
>“Someone like this… I just feel sorry for the other members.”
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