Karina Caught in Political Firestorm Over Red Jacket Photo Ahead of South Korea’s Presidential Election

aespa’s Karina is at the center of a heated political controversy after posting—and then quickly deleting—a photo that many believe carried unintended political implications. With South Korea’s presidential election just days away (June 3), the image has ignited a nationwide debate about symbolism, political sensitivity, and the scrutiny public figures face during election season.

On May 27, Karina uploaded a series of casual snapshots to her personal social media account, one of which showed her posing in a street in Japan. She captioned the post with a red rose emoji "🌹". What caught everyone’s attention, however, was her outfit—a red and black jacket prominently displaying the number “2” in red. The photo was swiftly circulated across online communities under titles such as “Karina’s latest update,” with speculation mounting over whether she was subtly endorsing a political candidate.

The timing couldn’t have been more sensitive. South Korea’s presidential election is set for June 3, and the nation remains sharply polarized politically. The race centers on whether a conservative president will be re-elected or replaced by a liberal candidate—making any hint of partisan expression by public figures a potential flashpoint.

In South Korea, the number “2” is assigned to the conservative party candidate on official ballots, and the color red is closely associated with the People Power Party, the country’s leading conservative political group. For this reason, Karina’s jacket—featuring both the red coloring and the number 2—was interpreted by some as a quiet show of support.

Swift Backlash and Divided Reactions

Though Karina deleted the photo almost immediately after posting it, screenshots spread rapidly and the debate was already in full swing. Comments ranged from lighthearted to intense: “Karina the patriotic conservative,” “She’s definitely for number 2,” and “I just became a fan,” read some of the early responses. Critics argued that regardless of her intentions, the post could be construed as a political message, especially during such a politically charged period.

“She should’ve known better—especially this close to the election,” wrote one commenter. “There’s no way you wear a red jacket with a big number 2 on it without expecting questions.”

However, a significant number of fans and observers came to her defense. “It’s exhausting to politicize everything, even fashion,” one person wrote. Others added, “She deleted it right away, obviously it wasn’t on purpose,” and “This is way overblown—stop turning everything into a controversy.”

Conservative Figures Voice Support

What began as an online flare-up soon gained traction in political circles. Baek Ji-won, spokesperson for the People Power Party’s central campaign, publicly expressed admiration for Karina by sharing a screenshot of aespa’s hit Supernova music video on Instagram with the phrase “SHOUT OUT TO”—a popular phrase among Gen Z that signifies public support or respect.

Baek also shared the album cover for aespa’s latest release Armageddon, reinforcing the gesture. Lee Soo-jung, head of the party’s Suwon Jeong district, posted a photo of Karina with the caption: “Ignore the witch hunt by hypocrites—stay strong,” adding the striking hashtag “Touch Karina and you’re all done for.”

Fans Issue Statement Against Political Framing

On May 28, Karina’s fans released an official statement, decrying the politicization of her post. They asserted that “a female celebrity should not be made a scapegoat for ongoing political debates,” emphasizing that her photo was “unfairly framed through a political lens and misinterpreted, leading to a controversy that never should have existed.”

The Jacket: From Controversy to Sell-Out

Ironically, the jacket at the center of the controversy has become a hot commodity. Priced at over 700,000 KRW (around $700 USD), the item quickly sold out online after fans identified the brand. It’s a label Karina has been seen wearing before and is reportedly unrelated to any political affiliation. The jacket features the number as part of its design motif alongside the brand name—yet the symbolism, in the current political climate, turned a fashion choice into a national debate.

This incident highlights the longstanding tension between celebrity expression and political interpretation in South Korea. During election seasons, it’s common for celebrities to avoid potential controversy by wearing neutral colors, avoiding politically suggestive poses, and steering clear of ambiguous messaging.

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