Aespa’s Stylist Under Fire: Fans Claim Karina’s Outfits Constantly Put Her “In Danger”
The shimmering world of K-Pop, while celebrated for its striking visuals and captivating performances, sometimes hides concerns that fans can’t ignore. One such issue has come to light as the hashtags “Prioritize Karina’s Safety” and “#Respect_Karina” began trending on Twitter.
📈 | the tag is now trending! Continue to trend and file report on kwangya119!
PRIORITISE KARINA SAFETY #RESPECT_KARINA @SMTOWNGLOBAL pic.twitter.com/EIj60IJrzN
— KARINA Charts (@karinachartss) August 12, 2023
The cause? Fans are voicing their concerns about aespa Karina‘s outfits, which they believe have inadvertently put the singer in danger during live performances.
The spark for this outcry was aespa’s recent appearance at the Outside Lands Festival in San Francisco. However, this isn’t the first time concerns about Karina’s safety have surfaced.
WHAT'S WRONG WITH AESPA STYLIST
aespa stylist had Karina wore outfits that've been putting her into danger NUMEROUS time. Please improve the styling on Karina. We do not want anything to happen to her.
PRIORITISE KARINA SAFETY #RESPECT_KARINA @SMTOWNGLOBAL pic.twitter.com/MuiGmqQ17n
— KARINA VIETNAM ♡ (@CherishKarinaVN) August 12, 2023
A previous incident at the Governors Ball Music Festival in New York earlier this summer saw Karina tripping, presumably because of her outfit.
the long-standing problem with their stylists is the fact that they don't know how to deal with karina's proportions they think giving her that cape-like cloth down her legs would emphasize it or sumn SHE TRIPPED DOWN THE STAIRS AFTER THEIR GOVBALL STAGE BCOS OF IT BTW
— ً (@sleepylashes) June 12, 2023
During the group’s Outside Lands Festival performance, a backstage staff member was even spotted adjusting a strip on Karina’s outfit to prevent her from potentially tripping, further fueling the concerns.
Fans, devoted and always on the lookout for their idols’ well-being, have now crafted an open letter to SM Entertainment. The letter urges the entertainment behemoth to consider the potential dangers of intricate outfits, particularly those with strips and flares that may cause mishaps during performances.
📈 | Karina is still trending. Please continue to trend the tags!
File new report every 10 minutes:
🔗: https://t.co/LnDCxWmZ3S
template: https://t.co/SMBiVaTyPOPRIORITISE KARINA SAFETY #RESPECT_KARINA @SMTOWNGLOBAL pic.twitter.com/urP8zKS1ER
— KARINA Charts (@karinachartss) August 12, 2023
They emphasized that while aesthetics are undeniably important in the K-Pop realm, an artist’s safety should never be compromised.
We demand that SM Entertainment prioritises KARINA’s safety…KARINA’s safety is of the utmost importance. As a responsible and influential entertainment agency, we do not want this to happen again. Please take action.
— Aespa fans’ statement
We have sent numerous reports since the opening of Kwangya 119, but they have been utterly ignored. All of those auto-generated responses are meaningless if you don't make an effort to act. Please prioritise Karina's safety @SMTOWNGLOBAL @aespa_official #RESPECT_KARINA pic.twitter.com/mlrO1O9KMo
— KARINA GLOBAL UNION (@KRNGlobalUnion) August 12, 2023
Fans also called upon aespa’s stylists to acknowledge the potential hazards of their fashion choices. They urged them to be innovative and follow current fashion trends but without jeopardizing the artist’s safety.
the stylist should think of another outfit for karina that can still make her look good without actually endangering her. like, this is the 135677 time she has those long fabric dangling on the floor 💀
PRIORITISE KARINA SAFETY #RESPECT_KARINA https://t.co/KufqvDaHKJ pic.twitter.com/q1U6jmGac0
— april (@intowinterkim) August 12, 2023
The push for change isn’t just about preventing physical mishaps — it’s about ensuring the artist feels comfortable and confident onstage. When performers constantly worry about potential wardrobe malfunctions or the dangers of their attire, it detracts from the genuine essence of their performances.
230811 Outside Lands -Next Level#카리나 #Karina #에스파 #aespa pic.twitter.com/3w0NFpuoat
— Just (@just_0411) August 12, 2023
K-Pop groups, particularly global sensations like aespa, have a tight schedule with back-to-back performances, photoshoots, and appearances. As such, ensuring their comfort and safety is essential. While the aesthetic value of outfits is crucial in creating memorable stage moments, it’s essential to strike a balance.
230811 Outside Lands – Welcome To MY World#카리나 #Karina #에스파 #aespa pic.twitter.com/DuyWo6JerI
— Just (@just_0411) August 12, 2023
SM Entertainment has yet to respond to fans’ concerns officially, but the hope is that the agency, known for managing top-tier K-Pop acts, will address this matter promptly. After all, fans’ fervor for change comes from a place of deep love and concern for their favorite artists.