Karina Drops to #26 in Brand Reputation Rankings After Political Controversy — Is This the Start of a Backlash?
Aespa’s Karina, once untouchable in K-pop brand rankings, just took a major tumble — and fans say it’s not just coincidence. Following a political controversy over a now-deleted Instagram post, her June brand score fell fast… and K-netizens are connecting the dots.
HERE'S THE BUZZ 🐝
For months, Karina has held a steady spot in the Top 5 of K-pop girl group brand reputation rankings — until now.
In the June update, Karina plummeted from #4 to #26, shocking fans and sparking debate across Korean forums. Many linked the drop to a political controversy from May, when she posted an Instagram photo wearing a red-and-black windbreaker with a “2” patch and a rose emoji.
While that might sound harmless, the timing raised eyebrows. In Korea, the upcoming 2025 presidential election is nicknamed the “Rose Election,” and red roses + the number 2 were interpreted by netizens as a political reference.
Karina quickly deleted the post, apologized, and SM Entertainment denied any political message — but it looks like the damage was done.
One netizen even commented:
She went from 4th to 26th. Her score literally got quartered. The political controversy seems to have hit hard.”
FANS REACTION :
The debate is fierce online:
“So… Giselle’s now ranked higher than Karina?? Wild.”
“Brand reputation isn’t everything, but this is definitely a warning shot.”
“Most of the backlash came from women’s communities — that says a lot.”
“She should be more careful. She’s repping the whole group.”
“It wasn’t even that deep, people are overreacting.”
“It’s scary how fast things can change from one post.”
MY HONEST TAKE 🐝
Karina’s post may have been innocent — or maybe it was just too perfectly timed. Either way, this controversy shows how fragile idol branding really is.
As aespa’s center and face, Karina carries a lot of the group’s public image. And in today’s cancel-happy climate, every detail matters. Whether the backlash was justified or not, the impact is real — and it could affect group momentum long-term if it happens again.
This isn’t just about one Instagram story. It’s about how K-pop idols are constantly expected to be apolitical, perfect, and careful — even when they’re just vibing in a windbreaker.
The fall in rankings may bounce back next month, but the warning is loud and clear: Karina needs to tread carefully, because her mistakes aren’t just hers — they reflect on aespa as a whole.
What Do You Think ?
Was the backlash against Karina fair? Or are fans reading too much into a simple post?
Let’s talk in the comments 👇
#Kpop #aespa #Karina #KpopControversy #KpopBrandReputation #KoreanNetizens #PoliticalControversy #SMEntertainment #KpopBuzz #BuzzHive
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