As South Korea heads into election season, celebrities are once again finding themselves under intense public scrutiny not for their music, dramas, or performances, but for the colors they wear and the gestures they make.
With early voting for the country’s upcoming local elections taking place from May 29 to May 30 ahead of the official election day on June 3, many stars have become increasingly careful about their public appearances, aware that even seemingly harmless actions can be interpreted as political statements.
Election periods in South Korea have long been considered a sensitive time for celebrities.
Actors, singers, and idols frequently encourage fans to vote, using their influence to promote civic participation. However, public figures often face heightened scrutiny during election periods, with some netizens analyzing everything from clothing colors to hand signs for potential political meaning.
Because certain colors are commonly associated with specific political parties, celebrities have occasionally found themselves embroiled in online controversies despite having no apparent political intentions.
As a result, many entertainment agencies reportedly advise artists to exercise extra caution when appearing in public or communicating with fans during election periods.
One recent example involved Baek Jiheon of fromis_9. On May 29, the idol was interacting with fans through a livestream on a fan communication platform while wearing a blue zip-up hoodie.
During the broadcast, Baek Jiheon mentioned meeting an important person recently. When a fan jokingly asked whether she meant someone involved in politics, she immediately clarified that she did not.
Moments later, she appeared to realize that the timing coincided with the election period.
Laughing nervously, she reportedly said, “It’s election season, isn’t it?” before quickly changing into a black hoodie and letting out a sigh of relief.
The moment quickly spread online, with many fans finding her reaction both amusing and relatable given the sensitivity surrounding election-related misunderstandings.
A similar incident involving Wendy of Red Velvet also caught the attention of fans.
While attending a photo event for a contemporary fashion brand’s flagship store opening in Seoul’s Yeonnam-dong on May 29, Wendy posed for photographers on the event’s photo wall.
Initially greeting attendees with an open-handed wave, the singer suddenly appeared to reconsider her pose and quickly adjusted her hand position.
Although there was no indication that the gesture carried any political meaning, some observers interpreted the moment as an effort to avoid potential misunderstandings during the election period.
The brief interaction became another example of the heightened awareness many celebrities display whenever elections approach.
This phenomenon is not new to the Korean entertainment industry.
During previous presidential and parliamentary elections, numerous celebrities found themselves at the center of unexpected online debates after wearing certain colors, posting photographs, or making hand gestures that some viewers interpreted as endorsements of specific candidates or parties.
In many cases, the controversies stemmed from speculation rather than any explicit political statement.
Nevertheless, the incidents have created an environment where stars often feel compelled to monitor even the smallest details of their appearance and behavior.
The recent incidents involving Baek Jiheon and Wendy have generated mixed reactions online.
Some netizens sympathized with the pressure celebrities face, arguing that public figures should not have to worry about ordinary fashion choices or casual gestures being politicized.
Others noted that given the intense scrutiny surrounding elections in South Korea, it is understandable why idols and agencies choose to err on the side of caution.
As election day approaches, many celebrities are expected to continue taking similar precautions, hoping to avoid becoming the latest subject of online controversy over actions that may have been entirely unintentional.
Sources: 네이트 뉴스
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