Asian Junkie Asian pop. Without discretion.
It was revealed by Dispatch last week that aespa member Karina and actor Lee Jae Wook were in a relationship (for only about a month), and since then things haven’t gone all that smoothly. People pretend to be normal about it, but the crazies always come out, and criticism has built (against her, of course).
As a result, she’s posted a handwritten apology letter to her fans.
“First, I apologize for surprising you greatly, and I wound up [writing this] late because I feel very cautious towards the MYs [aespa’s fans] who must have been very surprised.
I know very well how disappointed the MYs who have supported me up until now must be, and I also know that they are feeling upset while thinking back on the things we’ve said to one another. I feel even more sorry because I, too, understand those feelings all too well.
I wound up writing this letter in the hopes of conveying my feelings even a little bit.
Even though I’m worried that this [letter] may hurt [MYs] one more time, the reason I’m taking the risk and writing this is because I wanted to convey that I am sincerely sorry to the fans who gifted me with the warmest winter of my life from the moment I debuted.
Starting now, I want to do a good job filling the places where MYs have been wounded. I have always been sincere towards MYs, and even now, each and every one of you is truly precious to me.
Although this letter may be too short to express all of my feelings, thank you for reading it. In the future, I want to show you a more mature side, without disappointing MYs, as I work even harder in my activities.
MYs, please make sure to eat well, and let’s meet one another in good shape. I’m sorry, and I’m very grateful.”
Obviously I find all this ridiculous, and despite realizing that it’s basically standard damage control public relations for idols, it’s always absurd that it’s even necessary for some normal, otherwise uncontroversial relationship.
——
To give you an idea of what’s been going on, there’s been stuff like a fan whining and selling ~$13,000 worth of Karina merch.
In the screenshot being circulated, the fan wrote, “I’ve spent $400,000 NTD (approximately $12,700 USD) stanning asepa. I’ve never been to an offline fansign. I’m not planning on buying merchandise anymore. I don’t want to keep anything.”
The fan also noted he was selling everything for $265,000 NTD (approximately $8,400 USD). The package includes 6 autographs, 2 signed photocards, 1 signed Polaroid, and more.
What was the end game here? For her to never date? Ever? Why does this impact anything? This is so absurd. Fucking weirdos, man.
Or more notably, yesterday the notorious protest trucks struck again in front of SM Entertainment‘s building, carrying pathetic messages.
“Is the love fans give you not enough? Why did you choose to betray fans? Please personally apologize to us. Otherwise, you will see the drop in album sales and empty concert venues.”
“Karina, rather than feeling sorry towards the fans, you should be sorry to the you who has worked hard for seven years. You messed up your own career yourself. All your efforts have been denied by a single dating rumor. Are you satisfied?”
The thing that’s maddening is that this apology means this crap actually worked, or they’ll think it worked, and thus this weird-ass fandom controlling shit will only be perpetuated by these people.
Whenever you get a feeling that things in K-pop might be changing for the better with regards to dating news, you’re always reminded that no, things are as dumb as ever, and so are fans.
