9+ Industry Insiders Comment On aespa Karina’s Relationship With Lee Jae Wook

The dating rumors surrounding aespa‘s Karina and actor Lee Jae Wook have set the internet abuzz, prompting reactions from more than nine industry insiders across various outlets. Each of them has provided a unique view on the situation, specifically the strong reactions fans have had toward her relationship.

As people who work with K-Pop idols most of the time — and are part of the industry themselves — here’s what they think regarding the aespa star’s apology, SM Entertainment‘s handling of the relationship reveal, and the fans’ reactions.

1. Hankyung

For Hankyung, an entertainment sector insider focused on the “modern” approach to handling dating rumors, stating, “SM might have acknowledged the rumors given the era’s increasingly lenient view on idols’ dating rumors.” Meanwhile, another insider talked about the impact Karina’s apology could’ve had on her image.

Recently, a female celebrity faced severe backlash for a slip of the tongue, but public opinion shifted towards sympathy once she issued an apology. Posting an apology on Instagram, which is directly linked to a celebrity’s image, is not an easy task without the agency’s decision.

— Insider for Hankyung

2. Sunday News Paper

Speaking to Sunday News Paper, insiders discussed how the “Karina dating incident” and the reaction it evoked is a good example that reflects the intense competition and fandom dynamics in the K-Pop industry.

With numerous idol groups vying for the top, only a few manage to secure top rankings, particularly among fourth-generation groups, leading to intense competition and fiercer fandom rivalry than ever before.

To fans, idols used to simply be objects of blind affection but now it’s changed to ‘partners’ who they work together with to reach the top. So when a star’s goals change away from the fans’, then it can’t be helped but feel like a bigger betrayal.

— Insider for Sunday News Paper

3. E-Daily

An idol agency representative talked to E-Daily about the thought process of fans when such news comes out about their favorite idols and why they are so affected by it.

Fans nowadays think like producers, taking pride in having contributed to the team’s growth from debut through significant time and financial investment, making them sensitive to anything that could negatively affect the team’s performance or status.

— E-Daily

4. My Daily

My Daily heard from an entertainment industry insider on the challenges of idols dating publicly and how that affects the relationship itself.

Publicly dating is indeed difficult for idol members. Fans may feel a profound sense of betrayal learning that their beloved idol is seeing someone else, which is why they might avoid leaving any photographic evidence and denying it to the end.

— My Daily

Another perspective from My Daily compared the current situation to a past relationship revealed between BLACKPINK‘s Jisoo and actor Ahn Bo Hyun.

[Jisoo and Ahn Bo Hyun] were a couple who openly acknowledged their dating relationship. They’re similar to the current situation with Jae Wook and Karina, and Ahn Bo Hyun also went through a tough time. But the situation only calmed down after they ended their short two-month relationship and went back to being colleagues.

— My Daily

Meanwhile, a final insider comment for My Daily revealed a pessimistic view of the future of Karina and Lee Jae Wook’s relationship.

Dating comes at a harsh price for celebrities, leading to the reality of such relationships being short-lived.

The quickest way for Lee Jae Wook and Karina to take care of this situation is to end things quickly. The two of them probably know this very well already, which is why we should keep an eye out on what choices they make.

— My Daily

5. Yonhap News Agency

An article from Yonhap News Agency featured insights from a girl group’s agency insider on the paradox of fan reactions to dating.

Fans say it’s okay to date, but they mean that it’s okay as long as they’re not discovered. Once the dating fact comes out, it becomes a problem.

Once a relationship is revealed, they’ll immediately see a huge blow to their music sales.

— Yonhap News Agency

6. Kuki News

An anonymous insider to Kuki News detailed the emotional toll on artists, with a music agency expert sharing the constraints idols may feel.

Fans seem to feel a sense of betrayal and emptiness upon hearing dating rumors. There also seems to be fans who feel that the more they invest financially into fan signings and fan events, they become obsessed with the idols’ every move… leading to singers to feel more constrained due to concerns about harming the team.

— Kuki News

7. MK

Meanwhile, MK shared a sentiment similar to that of another music agency insider.

Fans say it’s fine to date, but only when it’s not revealed. Once the dating is exposed, they tend to turn their backs, which immediately affects record sales.

— MK

8. Sports Seoul

Lastly, Sports Seoul heard from an insider focused on the mental well-being of idols after their private lives get exposed in such ways.

Idol groups debuting at a young age struggle to lead a proper private life or even express emotions properly due to the scrutiny of extreme fandoms, causing many to suffer mentally.

— Sports Seoul