Windbreaker worn by aespa's Karina unexpectedly sells out online amid "political" controversy

The windbreaker worn by aespa’s Karina has unexpectedly sold out online amid controversy. Although the jacket was embroiled in a political symbolism controversy, the situation ultimately boosted the brand's visibility.

On May 17, Karina posted photos from a trip to Japan on Instagram. In the photos, she was seen wearing a windbreaker that combined black and red colors as a design. The front of the jacket prominently displayed a large red number 2. Some netizens interpreted this as a reference to a specific political party’s symbolic color and a presidential candidate’s number, sparking a political controversy.

However, SM Entertainment responded, saying, “Karina simply shared everyday content on social media without any other purpose or intention,” and added, “Once we recognized the potential for misunderstanding, the post was immediately deleted. We sincerely apologize for causing concern unintentionally.”

The agency also stated, “We will be more careful and make efforts to prevent such incidents in the future,” and added, “We hope that the artist’s intentions are no longer distorted or misused for specific purposes.”

The jacket is a product of the New York-based fashion brand Vaquera. Sold under the name “WINDBREAKER BLACK RED,” the item features a striking red diagonal pattern and the number '2' on a black base. Priced at around 720,000 KRW (approximately 525 USD), it is currently sold out in all sizes on the official website. On some international fashion platforms, it is being resold for about 1.5 million KRW (~1,092 USD).

Karina has been known to wear Vaquera products on multiple occasions. The brand was co-founded in 2013 in New York by Patric DiCaprio and Bryn Taubensee. Vaquera gained attention for its experimental and provocative designs that break away from traditional luxury fashion norms. The brand built its identity through its debut collection released on social media and unconventional runway presentations.

Vaquera is also a popular choice among celebrities. Last year, actress Han Ye Seul garnered attention for wearing one of the brand’s uniquely styled sleeveless shirts.