aespa Karina’s Apology Reminds People Of Top Japanese Idol Shaving Her Head Due To Dating Scandal

aespa’s Karina posted an apology in a handwritten letter she wrote on her Instagram on March 5th, which left K-pop fans in chaos. Most Korean fans, the public and overseas K-pop fans are raising their voices, saying it is very strange and inappropriate that Karina had to post an apology just because she is dating. This has led to the questioning of K-pop as a whole. Critics point out that K-pop culture is too oppressive, and fans are obsessed with considering stars as their own.

Some compared Karina’s apology letter to the case of Minami Minegishi, a member of Japan’s “nation’s girl group” AKB48, who had to shave her head and apologized in February 2013 after a sex scandal broke out. In 2013, Minami Minegishi was spotted staying overnight at the accommodation of Alan Shirahama, the leader of the Japanese male group Generations from Exile Tribe. At that time, the “no dating” rule was strongly applied to AKB48 members. Eventually, AKB48 announced that it would downgrade Minagishi, one of the popular members, to a trainee. And the idol eventually released a video apologizing in tears with her head shaved.

As a result, SM Entertainment, Karina’s agency, has been criticized. aespa’s fans are raising their voices about SM’s lack of support and protection for their idol. Critics point out that the agency failed to protect its artists, let alone manage the crisis. Some are also criticizing SM for letting Karina wrote the letter.