“I’m sorry about my relationship” Karina, the first apology ever... Japanese AKB48 Minami also shaved her head

Group Espa Carina (24, real name Yoo Ji-min) apologized through a handwritten letter for being in a relationship with actor Lee Jae-wook (26). An unprecedented situation of posting a ‘love apology’ occurred. In relation to this, a past incident in which Minami Minegishi, a member of the Japanese girl group AKB48, shed tears and shaved her head after dating rumors broke out, is being highlighted.

In February 2013, a sexual scandal involving Minami Minegishi of Japanese girl group AKB48 emerged. At the time, Minami Minegishi caused a stir when it was revealed that she had spent the night at the lodgings of Aran Shirahama, a member of Unit Generations of Japan's rising group Exile. In response, Minami shed tears as she shaved her head and bowed her head in apology, saying it was voluntary. This caused such a shock that it was even reported on domestic news.

At the time, AKB48 had a strong no-dating clause, so AKB48 fans who shared this sentiment were somewhat tolerant of Minami's apology for shaving her head, but the general public and overseas fans showed great antipathy. Both Minami and Aran were responsible for the sexual scandal, but some voiced that it was not fair for only Minami to apologize and that shaving her head and shedding tears because of this was excessive.

Now that 10 years have passed and the rivers and mountains are said to have changed, something has happened that is not as bad as shaving one's head, but raises doubts in the same context. Karina released a handwritten apology because she was in a relationship. In a handwritten letter, Karina said, "I know how disappointed my friends who have supported me must have been and how upset they are as they recall the stories we shared together. I feel even more sorry because I know how they feel." She apologized for her relationship with the late Lee Jae-wook.

The only people who welcomed this apology were some fans who had demanded an apology from Karina. The majority of fans, the public, and overseas K-pop fans are raising their voices, saying that it is inappropriate to post an apology just because one is in a relationship. Some people reacted with ridicule, calling it an unprecedented ‘love apology’. In particular, overseas fans are pointing out that the K-pop culture of Karina apologizing for being in a relationship is abnormal. Accordingly, a management problem was pointed out, saying that Aespa's agency SM Entertainment was not responding properly.

Choi Ji-ye, Ten Asia Reporter wisdomart@tenasia.co.kr