Why Were Netizens' Reactions To aespa Karina's Vs. BLACKPINK Jisoo's Dating News So Different?

Netizens are discussing the different responses to aespa Karina‘s dating news compared to her friend BLACKPINK Jisoo‘s.

In February, Dispatch reported that aespa’s Karina and actor Lee Jae Wook were dating. The two became acquainted at Prada‘s fashion show on January 14.

Since the dating news broke, the relationship was met with mixed reactions. On March 4, 2024, protest trucks were spotted outside the SM Entertainment building. The truck carried two messages, including a demand for an apology.

Protest truck. | theqoo — Protest truck. | *theqoo*

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.

— Truck

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?

— Truck

Shortly after, Karina finally addressed the dating news with a handwritten apology letter to her personal Instagram. International fans were disappointed that Karina felt the need to apologize. Many were confused, feeling she had nothing to be sorry for.

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.

— Karina

Now, some are even comparing Karina’s dating news to that of another idol. Jisoo’s recent relationship is similar to Karina’s. She and Karina are both members of the hottest K-Pop girl groups and have dated successful K-Drama actors.

Jisoo

Karina

In August 2023, Jisoo and Ahn Bo Hyun were announced to be in a relationship. They have since reportedly broken up due to busy schedules, but at the time, YG Entertainment made a rare statement confirming their relationship.

On March 7, user Serious-Wish4868 posted “Jisoo vs. Karina – Different responses to dating news” to r/kpopthoughts on Reddit. They noted the “drastic difference in response to the dating news.”

Jisoo vs. Karina – Different responses to dating news
byu/Serious-Wish4868 inkpopthoughts

Over 100 netizens responded, weighing in on the differences between the two. Many agreed that it was mainly due to age and experience. Jisoo’s dating news was announced long after her debut, while Karina debuted just a couple of years ago, so she’s at a crucial time in her career. Few to none 4th Gen idols have been in “dating scandals” until now.

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Additionally, Jisoo was not the first member to be reported in a relationship. Previously, Jennie had been in relationships, and the response to her first dating news was similar to Karina’s. This again proves that the reaction is primarily due to the timing.

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Most are more accepting of relationships when the celebrity is older and/or a senior in the entertainment industry. It’s to be expected for one to date at a certain point.

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Others pointed out that Karina and Jisoo’s respective companies, SM Entertainment and YG Entertainment, market their artists differently. So, fans’ responses are naturally different, too.

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Netizens feel SM Entertainment artists more so than YG Entertainment encourages “parasocial relationships.” BLACKPINK has seldom promoted such behavior.