Debate grows over whether aespa Karina’s red jacket was political or simply trendy as netizens reference Dua Lipa

The debate continues over Karina's controversial red outfit.

As reported, aespa's Karina is facing public scrutiny after uploading an Instagram photo wearing a black and red windbreaker jacket with the number '2' on the front. Due to the politically sensitive climate surrounding South Korea's current presidential election, many Korean citizens are highly aware of and sensitive to clothing choices and even subtle references to numbers.

According to community forums, the jacket Karina wore is considered trendy, with some netizens pointing out that Dua Lipa was seen wearing the same jacket in a selfie posted back in October 2024.

However, many are arguing that this overlap "does not change the controversy at all," emphasizing that while Dua Lipa is not a Korean citizen or stakeholder, Karina is.

On other forums, some users are comparing Dua Lipa’s political stance with Karina's, noting that the English-Albanian singer is a known supporter of the progressive Labour Party in the UK. The color red, associated with the Labour Party, has led some fans and Korean netizens to suggest that Dua Lipa wore the jacket to show indirect support for the party—even though her selfie was not posted during the UK election period.

As speculation and accusations continue, a portion of netizens are defending Karina, stating that she should not receive more hate than the politicians themselves, who are often the true source of public frustration. Some also noted that criticism should be directed instead at Lee Jun Seok, the right-wing candidate who drew attention to Karina after exposing obscene comments allegedly made by Lee Jae Myung's son during a recent debate.

Amid the controversy, most netizens acknowledge that Karina's actions lacked caution, especially given South Korea's current political climate, the conservative party’s use of her image for their narrative, and the addition of a red rose emoji in her caption.

One netizen even shared a screenshot from a news segment that used Karina’s photo to explain what forms of color-based expression are considered acceptable on election day. The segment clarified that as long as an outfit is not official party garment, such expression is allowed at voting stations.

Currently, the majority of comments on community forums reflect a belief that Karina wore the jacket intentionally to show support for the conservative party. Many also expressed dissatisfaction with her brief apology on Bubble, a platform limited to her paying fans. 

Some have started referring to her as "MAGArina," linking the red color to the conservative and pro-American image, similar to SM labelmate Super Junior's Leeteuk, who publicly supported Donald Trump during SM’s 30th anniversary concert in LA.

Comments criticizing Karina and her defenders include:

"Just proves celebrities aren't stupid. Even lesser-known idols with no influence were being monitored by their agencies long before the election, being told not to give anything away. Do you really want to believe she didn’t know?"

"Do you really think she wore it without knowing? Still, I'd prefer someone who keeps quiet and empty than this."

"It's funny that they say it's a common outfit, but only brought up Dua Lipa. Even if that color meant nothing in her home country, it doesn’t mean it’s meaningless when a Korean wears it during a presidential election LOL."

"An abyss caused by ignorance."

"LOL Dua Lipa didn’t wear it to send a message, but she supports the Labour Party. Karina wore it to hint at candidate #2, and that’s why she’s getting shout-outs from #2 supporters."

"Even when right-wing politicians keep giving Karina shout-outs, the fact that she stays silent shows that it’s not just 'a regular outfit' anymore..."

"#2 supporters are using her more and more, and she’s becoming their idol. If she weren’t one of them, you’d think she’d speak up just from how unfair it is—but she’s staying silent. She already put it out there; it’s up to everyone to decide."

"What does it matter if it’s commonly worn... During the election period, she chose to post that photo in that outfit, even adding the rose emoji—it was basically a clear 'I support #2' message."

"Dua Lipa must be so confused just passing by."

"Why are Karina's fans dragging Dua Lipa into this when she didn’t even do anything?"

"If she was really innocent, she would’ve come out and clearly explained things herself—not that vague Bubble message."

"Dua Lipa can’t even vote in Korea LOL."

"If it really wasn’t intentional, there would’ve been a stronger reaction from Karina."

"Karina's fans dragging in Dua Lipa is just ridiculously funny LOL."

"Tone it down in the comments—if this goes too far, people will start pitying her. The news is already out, and the more the #2 supporters go wild, the more it backfires on them."

"From the start, defending Karina by saying it’s a 'trending' outfit that Dua Lipa wore last year, and claiming she’s innocent even though she wore it right before early voting... is just ridiculous LOL."

"Even after getting repeated shout-outs from the PPP, she can’t deny it LOL. If she’s really upset, SM should take legal action against the People Power Party for spreading false claims LOL."

"SM stans are honestly just embarrassing at this point."

"Karina wore a pro-#2 outfit, Leeteuk supported Trump... What’s going on with SM? If they were from any other company, they'd be getting dragged way worse. SM stans only go easy because it's their own. If it were someone from another agency, they’d be leading the witch hunt."

"Fans say the company teaches them manners and character... but based on what we’re seeing, something’s clearly off. What are they even teaching there?"

"LOL what’s with Karina's rose emoji, then?"

"Karina's defenders only make her more off-putting."

"It’s ready-to-wear clothing, not a one-of-a-kind item, of course. Other people wear it too—how does that justify anything?"

"Turns out the jacket is not even new... I was hoping it was a promo sponsorship for a new release or something..."

"Of all the options, why’d her defenders have to pick Dua Lipa? LOL."

"Imagine how fast her fans' hearts must have raced when they found that photo LOL...."

"From Dua Lipa’s perspective, this must be so damn annoying."

"MAGArina wanted to be a far-right goddess, a Ppompu goddess, and a People Power Party ambassador—she made it obvious, so why are people shielding her like it’s not true?"

"Are MAGArina’s fans really on her side?"

"Her fans say this jacket is commonly worn...so why is there only one example?"

"What’s with her rose emoji then?"

"Why are there so many people saying dumb things lately... The issue isn’t just that she supports candidate #2, it’s that she supports a party involved in martial law plots and insurrection."

"It’s just... the rose is too much...."

"The logic jump from 'Dua Lipa wore it so it’s a common outfit' is incredible."

"I thought it was a new release, but it wasn’t."

"But Dua Lipa isn’t even a Korean citizen, so what’s the point? LOL. Even the defenses have no shame."

"Saying she didn’t know just makes her look even dumber."

Neutral comments or those supporting Karina include:

"Honestly, what good would it do for Karina to reveal her political stance, whether she supports candidate 1 or 2? Unless she’s lost her mind... or her career is so easy that she wants to make her life harder for fun?"

"I’m not even a fan, but I really don’t get the mindset behind criticizing her over this. I understand why people who support candidate 2 want to claim Karina’s on their side—they’re desperate to cling to something. But why are people who support candidate 1 so eager to label her as a supporter of candidate 2? I don’t get it."

"They’re doing everything they can to criticize Karina, even though the Dua Lipa photo wasn’t from an election date. This is insane. Just stop already."

"That outfit Dua Lipa wore wasn’t from the 'election period.' Even if she supports the Labour Party, that outfit wasn’t worn for campaign promotion. This is so frustrating."

"LOL what does Dua Lipa supporting the Labour Party and wearing that outfit at another time have anything to do with this? Some people are just dying to hate—what else can you say but they’ve lost it?"

"I looked it up, and the photo that Dua Lipa posted on Instagram was from 8 months ago. It has nothing to do with the 2024 election. It was posted after the UK general election in July. Sure, she openly supports Labour, but the timing doesn’t line up at all—so why are people commenting like it does? LOL."

"I know Dua Lipa supports Labour, but there’s a factual error in the claims made in those comments. The UK general election was in July 2024, and if Dua Lipa posted that photo in October 2024, then saying she posted it 'during the election to show support' doesn’t make sense at all."

"It’s true that Dua Lipa supports the Labour Party, but I don’t think she was trying to call for votes with that post. Of course, Karina wearing the same outfit with a rose emoji makes it a different case."

"I feel bad for Karina. People have to fabricate things just to criticize her."

"If Dua Lipa wore it too, it must just be a well-known brand..."

"I think it’s fair to criticize her lack of a serious response. But how is an idol supposed to openly come out and say 'don’t use me for your politics'...?"

What are your thoughts?