Overview

• Karina posted a photo on May 27 wearing a black jacket with red accents, a bold “2” and a rose emoji, prompting links to People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo’s ballot identity
• The image went viral under labels like “conservative Karina” before she deleted it hours later following a surge of online criticism
• SM Entertainment apologized for the unintended concern, calling the post a harmless daily-life share with no political purpose and promising stricter social media oversight
• Karina issued a personal apology on the Bubble messaging platform, expressing regret for worrying fans and vowing to be more mindful of her actions
• The incident has highlighted the strict, unspoken election-season guidelines that bar K-pop idols from wearing party-linked colors or making gestures seen as endorsements