K-Pop’s Karina Slammed for Outfit Choice as South Korea’s Election Heats Up

Karina’s jacket, oh, what a sin,
Red and a 2? The outrage begins!
In K-pop’s cage, no thought’s allowed,
Stay blank, stay safe, or face the crowd.

A Photo Sparks Outrage

On May 28, 2025, Karina, a star of the K-pop group aespa, posted an Instagram photo wearing a red-and-black jacket emblazoned with the number 2. The image ignited a firestorm, with critics claiming it signaled support for Kim Moon Soo, the conservative People Power Party’s candidate in South Korea’s June 3 presidential election, whose campaign prominently features red and the ballot number 2. Karina swiftly deleted the post and apologized on the fan platform Bubble, stating, “I never meant to cause concern and will be more careful moving forward.” Her agency, SM Entertainment, doubled down, calling the outfit “casual content” and denying any political intent.

South Korea’s Culture of Political Neutrality

The backlash against Karina exposes the chokehold of political neutrality imposed on South Korea’s entertainment industry. K-pop idols are expected to be apolitical to a fault, avoiding colors, numbers, or gestures that could be misconstrued as partisan. This hyper-scrutiny stems from a cultural demand that celebrities remain blank canvases, free of personal or political opinions, to avoid alienating fans or sparking controversy. In the lead-up to the snap presidential election—triggered by the April 2025 impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol after his controversial martial law declaration in December 2024—stars face even tighter restrictions. Colors like red, blue, yellow, or green, tied to major parties, are virtual landmines, as are gestures like peace signs or thumbs-ups that might resemble ballot numbers.

A Pattern of Overreach

Karina’s ordeal is hardly unique. In 2018, entertainer Yoo Jae Suk was criticized for wearing a blue cap during regional elections, and in 2020, trot singer Song Ga In faced backlash for a blue shirt in a voting promotion video. The pressure extends beyond politics—idols face similar outrage over historical references or personal missteps, like BTS’s Suga, who was vilified after a 2024 drunk-driving incident. As South Korea’s election pits liberal frontrunner Lee Jae Myung against conservative Kim Moon Soo, the incident with Karina underscores a troubling reality: a culture that stifles free expression under the guise of neutrality, leaving celebrities vulnerable to mob outrage over the smallest perceived misstep.