Overview

• On May 27, Karina shared and then deleted an Instagram photo of herself in a red-and-black jacket displaying the number 2, a symbol linked to conservative candidate Kim Moon-soo.
• Karina issued a personal apology on the Bubble messaging app, stressing she had no political intent and expressing regret for any misunderstanding.
• SM Entertainment released a statement acknowledging the post’s unintended impact and committed to greater care in future social media activity.
• The jacket worn by Karina sold out across multiple online retailers, underscoring her influence despite the controversy.
• The incident has reignited discussions about strict, unofficial guidelines that discourage K-pop idols from displaying party-associated colors or gestures during election campaigns.