In late February, Dispatch exposed the relationship between aespa‘s Karina and Lee Jae Wook.
Following the reveal, there were many mixed reactions from netizens and fans, including protest trucks being sent to SM Entertainment. On March 5, the aespa member posted a handwritten apology letter, apologizing for the surprising news.
“Hello, this is Karina. Firstly, I am sorry to have shocked you so much. I was late [in addressing it] as I felt like I had to be careful since MYs were very rattled. I know very well just how disappointed MYs, who have been supporting me all this while, were and just how sad you must’ve been as you recalled everything we have talked about together. Because I know just how you feel, I feel even sorrier.
I’ve come to write you a letter, in hopes that my feelings are conveyed, even just a tiny bit. The reason that I’m writing this even though I’m worried that I may be hurting you again, is because I want to sincerely convey how sorry I feel to the fans who have given me the gift of the warmest winter, ever since I made my debut. In the future, I want to mend the wounds that MYs received. I have always been sincere towards MYs and even now, each and every one of you are such precious people to me.
This might be too short to express everything I feel, but thank you for reading it. In the future, I will not disappoint MYs and will show you a more mature and hardworking side of me as I promote. Please watch over me.
MYs, eat well and let’s meet in good shape. I’m sorry and very grateful.”
