aespa’s Karina Hit With Shocking Viral Nickname by Global Fans Amid Political Firestorm

A viral post on the Korean online community theqoo, titled “Karina New Nickname Overseas”, has amassed over 74,000 views, shedding light on how global audiences have reacted to the issue.
The nickname “MAGArina” combines MAGA, short for former U.S. President Donald Trump’s slogan “Make America Great Again,” with Karina, and is being used widely across social media.

The backlash began earlier this week when Karina uploaded a photo of herself wearing a black and red jacket prominently displaying the number 2, alongside a rose emoji. Although seemingly a fashion choice, the image quickly drew criticism in South Korea, where it was interpreted by some netizens as a possible endorsement of a specific political party, particularly sensitive given the ongoing election season.

The post was later deleted, but by then, the damage had been done. The nickname “MAGArina” has taken on a life of its own, further fueling online debate about the role of idols in political discourse and the unintended consequences of their social media activity.

One theqoo user clarified the meaning behind the nickname:
“MAGArina = Make America Great Again + Karina”
K-netizens showed little sympathy, with many appearing to embrace the harsh nickname rather than defend the idol.

Comments on theqoo:
- They probably think everything will die down once they make a comeback… Just staying silent and hoping it blows over.
- I really started to hate her.
- Congrats, congrats. She must be loving this.
- Magarina LOL — it really rolls off the tongue
- It suits her
The sentiment online reflects a growing frustration with what some perceive as carelessness from public figures during politically sensitive times.