aespa's Karina Speaks Out After Friend Is Accused of Using Her Fame

Karina of K-POP group aespa has spoken to fans amid a wave of hateful comments directed at her close friend, actress Han Su-a. Han recently discussed their friendship in a YouTube video, prompting some online users to accuse her of using Karina's fame to gain attention.

Karina addressed the situation through Bubble, a paid fan communication platform, on Nov. 11.

"I thought a lot about whether I should say something," she wrote. "MY, the members, my family and my friends are all so precious to me. I hope none of them gets hurt." MY is the official name of aespa's fandom.

"My love isn't directed toward just one side, and I believe I receive as much love as I give," she continued. "I'm happy to receive so much love, and I don't take that happiness for granted. I just hope none of it turns into hurt directed at anyone."

She ended her message by saying, "Let's stay together for a long, long time and keep sharing our stories."

Karina did not mention Han by name or directly address the hateful comments. However, her message came as criticism of Han continued online and was interepreted by some as a message of support for the people close to her, as well as a reminder that she values the love she receives from fans.

The controversy began after Han appeared in a video released on Nov. 10 by the YouTube channel "There Are Letters Between Us" (Uri Saien Pyeonjiga Itda). During the video, Han spoke about her friendship with Karina, explaining that they first met through Ryujin of ITZY. The two later became close and began spending time together regularly, often meeting for meals and sharing stories about their daily lives.

Han said she had been cautious about discussing their friendship publicly because she did not want to put any pressure on Karina. Before appearing in the video, she contacted Karina to ask for her permission. Karina reportedly agreed and even provided photos and additional details for the video.

Despite this, some online users accused Han of trying to boost her own profile by emphasizing her connection to Karina. Hateful comments appeared on Han's personal social media accounts, with critics suggesting she was using the friendship for publicity.

Although Karina did not explicitly identify Han or address the backlash against her, she emphasized that she values the love she receives from fans while expressing her hope that no one around her would be hurt. Her message also highlighted the balance she hopes to maintain between appreciating her fans' support and protecting her personal relationships