How One Member’s Controversy Has Impacted the Entire Group: The Effect of Karina’s Political Scandal on aespa’s Image

On May 27, aespa Karina sparked a political controversy after sharing a photo on Instagram wearing a red windbreaker marked with the number ‘2’ while in Japan. The combination of the red color and the number ‘2’ quickly drew attention from netizens, who linked the post to South Korea’s presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo. Kim Moon-soo’s People Power Party is known for using red as its official color and the number ‘2’ as its ballot designation in the 2025 presidential election.

Although Karina promptly deleted the post, it had already ignited widespread discussion across social media. Many criticized her for what they saw as a careless political statement, arguing that K-pop idols typically maintain neutrality during election periods to avoid controversy.

Adding to the controversy, Baek Ji-won, spokesperson for the People Power Party’s Central Election Committee, publicly expressed gratitude toward Karina. Baek Ji-won shared an Instagram story featuring all four aespa members alongside the song Supernova, which many interpreted as a subtle endorsement or appreciation for the group’s perceived support.

While conservative communities praised Karina’s apparent political expression, many netizens voiced disappointment and worry over how this might affect aespa’s overall image:

• What about the fans, seriously… For now, I’ve only listened to their music a lot, but from now on, I won’t support them anymore…
• Because of one person, the whole group got dragged into politics…
• I was just waiting for their comeback, but this is really so tough, seriously..
• Is Karina doing this all by herself? She’s the only one getting shoutouts, while the other members are just sitting there—what’s going on, seriously?
• Doesn’t she think about the other members at all?
• Is it just her taking all the heat alone? Thanks to that, the group’s now being called “2spa.”

The incident highlights the delicate balance K-pop idols must maintain between personal expression and public expectations, especially amid politically charged climates. As Karina and aespa navigate this controversy, fans and industry watchers will be keenly observing how the situation evolves and whether the group issues any formal response.