As South Korea is in the throes of election season, Korean celebrities, particularly idols, are being cautious with their social media posts. Amidst the nation eagerly awaiting the next president, even seemingly innocent posts are being closely examined for any potential political undertones, leaving celebrities vulnerable to accusations of endorsing a specific candidate.

Recently, aespa's Karina found herself embroiled in an online controversy after she posted and swiftly deleted a photo on her Instagram account. The snapshot, uploaded on May 27, showcased Karina in Tokyo, Japan, donning a red jersey featuring a prominent diagonal stripe and the number '2'. While posing in a playful manner, Karina removed the photo promptly following speculations that she may have subtly divulged her political allegiance.

The color red is associated with the conservative People Power Party, and the number '2' corresponds to candidate Kim Moon Soo's ballot number, leading some netizens to interpret the post as a veiled endorsement of his campaign. Additionally, by including a rose emoticon in the post, some believed Karina was symbolically referencing the 'Rose President Election,' alluding to the Springtime presidential election that transpired in May 2017 following the impeachment of former president Park Geun Hye.

Usually held in December, the 2017 South Korean presidential election took place in May, earning the moniker 'Rose President Election' due to the blooming of roses during that month. Korean online users have accused Karina of using the rose emoticon in reference to the upcoming 2025 election scheduled for early June.

This recent social media incident has triggered a debate among Korean netizens on a popular forum, showcasing differing opinions. While some defended Karina's post as innocent, others criticized her for not exercising more caution as a public figure. Some remarked on the timing of her post amidst the election period, questioning whether she should have refrained from sharing the photos considering the sensitive context.

Many comments highlighted the complexities of being an idol and the challenges associated with navigating public scrutiny, with sentiments ranging from sympathy to disappointment towards Karina. Additionally, playful remarks emerged, suggesting Karina post a new photo donning a blue outfit with the number '1' to counterbalance the previous post.