Lee Youngji’s Apology Draws Harsh Comparison to aespa Karina’s Past Right-Wing Controversy
Lee Youngji is facing backlash after a political controversy sparked by her recent Instagram post. The rapper-turned-TV star shared photos showing her with newly dyed red hair and red outfits, using CORTIS’s “REDRED” as background music. This came just before South Korea’s June 3, 2026 elections, leading some netizens to question the timing and political implications.
The controversy began when fans linked the color red to a specific political party in South Korea. The speculation quickly grew, pushing Youngji to return to Instagram with her hair dyed black and issue a direct apology.
“I acted carelessly despite knowing it was an important period,” Youngji said, explaining she had rushed to dye her hair again after receiving messages from fans.
Fans quickly reacted online, comparing Youngji’s situation to aespa Karina’s 2025 “Right Wing Goddess” controversy. Karina faced backlash after posting photos featuring a red rose emoji, a red top, and the number “2” ahead of the presidential election. Some netizens saw this as a political signal, mocking her with the nickname “Right Wing Goddess.” Karina later apologized and denied any political intent.
As the situation unfolded, many netizens debated the differences between the two cases. Some argued Youngji handled the controversy better by apologizing quickly and changing her hair color almost immediately.
“Karina and Youngji handled it totally differently,” one netizen wrote.
Others pushed back against the comparison, saying both idols were unfairly dragged into political speculation over ordinary posts.
“What do people gain from attacking celebrities every time they wear red? Just leave them alone,” some commented.
The backlash sparked heated discussions about how colors, numbers, and even hair choices become political flashpoints during election seasons. While some believe public figures should be cautious during sensitive times, many feel the criticism has gone too far, especially since neither Youngji nor Karina publicly endorsed any party or candidate.
“Seriously, people need to stop this nonsense. There are so many more important things, yet they’re sitting around policing celebrities’ selfies, LOL.”
“Karina and Youngji both have agency. You know it’s not normal to drag people just because a color seems connected to something, right? Stop it already, you crazy people.”
“What exactly do people gain from dragging celebrities every time they wear red? Please just leave them alone.”
The debate highlights the intense scrutiny K-pop idols face during election seasons, where even simple social media posts can trigger political controversies.
Read more about how K-pop idols navigate election season controversies here:
K-Pop Idols Caught Avoiding Political Controversy Amid Election Season Buzz