“Karina’s love reflection statement set K-pop on fire” SM takes responsibility for responding to anachronistic crisis

“K-pop became a house on fire after Karina’s love reflection.”

Group Espa Carina (24, real name Yoo Ji-min), who admitted to being in a relationship with actor Lee Jae-wook (26), wrote an unprecedented 'love reflection'. K-pop fans' shock and criticism toward this is growing uncontrollably.

In a handwritten letter written on the 5th, Karina said, "First of all, I am sorry for surprising you so much, and I am cautious towards my children who must have been very surprised." She added, "I remember how disappointed my children who supported me must have been and the stories we shared together. “I know very well that you are upset. I feel even more sorry because I know how you feel,” he posted in his apology.

This apology sent K-pop fans into chaos. The majority of fans, the public, and overseas K-pop fans are raising their voices, saying that Karina's actions of posting an apology just because she is in a relationship are very strange and inappropriate. This led to raising questions about K-pop as a whole. It is pointed out that K-pop culture is overly oppressive, and fan culture is also rife with obsessive behavior that regards stars as their own.

Some compared Karina's love reflection with the Japanese girl group AKB48 member Minami Minegishi's apology in February 2013 by shaving her head after a sexual scandal broke out, and pointed out that "it's just the same oppression and violence, just in a different form."

Accordingly, criticism and criticism toward Espa Carina's agency, SM Entertainment (hereinafter referred to as SM), continues. Aespa's fans are raising their voices, asking, "Until Karina wrote and released a statement reflecting on her relationship, did SM just sit back and watch, like they're watching a fire across the river?" There are continued criticisms that even the minimum level of protection was not provided, let alone crisis management for the artists under the company.

Furthermore, there is criticism that SM may have tolerated the irrational response of releasing a 'love apology' in response to the oppressive demands of some fans. This is because it is impossible for Karina to have arbitrarily proceeded with the process of writing and posting the apology. Rather, the industry consensus is that this crisis response is likely to have been achieved in close consultation with SM.

Pop singer Taylor Swift, who is considered the most popular artist in the United States, is confidently dating professional football (NFL) player Travis Kelsey and is receiving support from many fans. However, Karina posted an apology for admitting that she had just started a relationship.

It is unfortunate that Karana's 'love apology' is an anachronistic response to the crisis and has brought shame not only to Aespa but also to K-pop as a whole. Furthermore, it is also clear that SM cannot avoid responsibility for the fact that Karina was seen as submitting a 'love apology' by giving in to the pressure of fans demanding an unreasonable apology.

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