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Controversial Dating Scandal Rocks Korean Artists

South Korean actor Lee Jae-wook and K-pop idol Karina from aespa, broke up following a dating scandal that received worldwide attention. By: Kritchanon Tan Kian Wei

South Korea - Five weeks after a highly controversial dating scandal, South Korean actor Lee Jae-wook, 25 and K-pop idol Yu Ji-min, 23, better known as Karina from the 4th generation K-pop girl group aespa, have broken up.

In a statement by Lee’s agency, C-JeS Studios said: “Lee decided to end the relationship to focus on the work that he is filming, leaving them as colleagues who support each other.”

Meanwhile, the aespa leader’s agency SM Entertainment confirmed: “It is true they broke up.”

The news comes after South Korean tabloid Dispatch first reported about their relationship on February 26, resulting in immediate controversy and lots of backlash towards Karina from supposed fans of aespa, also called MYs.

This led to Karina, who received significantly more backlash, writing to MYs on March 5, an apology letter that stated: “Despite my concerns about causing further hurt, I write this because I wanted to convey my heartfelt apologies to the fans who have given me the warmest winter from the moment of my debut.”

After the viral apology got picked up by international news sites like BBC, many netizens proceeded to label her a “national embarrassment”, sending protest trucks to SM Entertainment’s headquarters, stating to Karina: “Is the love given to you by Karina fans not enough? Why did you choose to betray the fans? Please apologize directly. Otherwise, you will see a decrease in album sales and empty concert seats.”

Lee will next star in the Netflix K-drama Hong Rang, premiering early 2024. Meanwhile, aespa is reportedly preparing a new album for May, before their 2nd world tour commences June 29 in Seoul. The concert film aespa: World Tour in cinemas, documenting their 1st world tour, will also open April 10 in Korea and Japan, then April 24 worldwide.

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