K-pop Star Karina Breaks Up After Fan Backlash
SEOUL — The K-pop world was shaken when Karina, a member of the group aespa, announced her breakup with actor Lee Jae-wook. The couple had faced backlash from fans after going public with their relationship in February, with some accusing Karina of “betrayal”.
Lee’s agency, C-JeS Studio, confirmed the split, stating that he wanted to focus on his filming projects. Despite the breakup, the agency mentioned that they would continue to support each other as colleagues.
The controversy surrounding their relationship led Karina to issue a public apology on Instagram, where she promised to show a more mature and hardworking side to her fans in the future. Some fans even went as far as driving a “protest truck” to her management agency to express their disappointment.
aespa, known for their debut single “Black Mamba”, is set to release a new full-length album soon. Meanwhile, Lee, who gained fame from the drama “Alchemy of Souls” and the Disney+ series “Royal Roader”, remains focused on his acting career.
This incident sheds light on the intense scrutiny that South Korean celebrities face from their “super fans”, who often try to dictate their idols’ private lives. The breakup between Karina and Lee is not an isolated case in the industry.
Recently, actors Han So-hee and Ryu Jun-yeol also announced their separation following backlash from fans. The couple was accused of being in a “transit relationship”, especially after Ryu’s previous long-term romance with singer-actress Lee Hyeri.
After the split, Han’s agency, 9ATO Entertainment, emphasized the importance of their roles as actors and vowed to focus on their professional lives. This trend of public scrutiny and fan backlash has also affected other celebrity couples in South Korea, like Blackpink’s Jisoo and actor Ahn Bo-hyun, who ended their relationship last year.
As the world of K-pop continues to evolve, the personal lives of its stars remain under constant scrutiny, highlighting the challenges of balancing fame and privacy in the entertainment industry. — BBC
