The lightning relationship of K-pop stars Karina (aespa) and Lee Jae-wook

They were together only for a brief period: aespa's Karina and Lee Jae-wook confirmed their relationship on February 27 and announced their separation on April 2, 2024. As Koreaboo and other media report, their lightning relationship prompted a variety of responses from netizens, including hatred, sympathy, and mockery.

Image: Netflix, SM Entertainment

Karina is a K-pop starlet who is the leader of the girl group, ‘aespa’.

Image: katarinabluu / Instagram

Born Yu Ji-min, Karina was born on April 11, 2000, and took up the stage name after joining SM Entertainment as a trainee.

Image: SM Entertainment

Karina became a part of the girl group ‘aespa’ and debuted with the group on October 27, 2020, with the single ‘Black Mamba’, reports Paper.

Image: SM Entertainment

Karina is known for hits like ‘Girls’, ‘Next Level’, and ‘Spicy’ as part of aespa.

Image: SM Entertainment

Other than her group work with aespa, Karina has also worked as a show host for shows such as ‘Travel Diary Soul: Seoul’ and MBC’s ‘Show! Music Core’, reports The Korea Times and MBC.

Image: SM Entertainment

Lee Jae-wook is a South Korean actor and model.

Lee Jae-wook was born on May 10, 1998, in Seoul, South Korea. He made his TV debut as an actor in 2018 when he starred in the show ‘Memories of the Alhambra’.

Image: jxxvvxxk / Instagram

According to Sports Donga, Lee Jae-wook's supporting role in 'Memories of the Alhambra' drew the attention of VAST Entertainment, which managed A-list actor Hyun Bin, the show's main lead. Lee Jae-wook was quickly signed on by VAST Entertainment.

Since then, Lee Jae-wook has gained immense popularity and signed onto a new agency. He is best known for his acting work on ‘Search: WWW’, ‘Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol’, and ‘Alchemy ofSouls',’ among others.

According to Koreaboo, Karina and Lee Jae-wook met while they were both attending a fashion show in Milan.

Image: KBS2, SM Entertainment

The news of the pair's dating was first exposed by the investigative tabloid Dispatch on February 27. Dispatch reported that the two would have secret rendezvouses in the middle of the night.

Image: jxxvvxxk / Instagram , SM Entertainment

Since the Dispatch expose, the current agencies of both Karina and Lee Jae-wook, SM Entertainment and CJes Studios, have both released official statements to confirm the relationship, reports Cosmo.

Image: katarinabluu, jxxvvxxk / Instagram

Unfortunately for the couple, the news of their union was met with widespread disapproval, particularly on Karina's side. According to Koreaboo, some people have even hired protest trucks to camp outside SM Entertainment's headquarters in protest of the relationship.

Image: SM Entertainment

Korea JoongAng Daily reports that the dating news had caused SM Entertainment stock prices to plummet.

Image: SM Entertainment

Pressure was high for Karina after the revelation of her relationship with Lee Jae-wook as Allkpop reported that she had even resorted to penning out an apology to fans for the dating news.

Image: katarinabluu / Instagram

CNN reports that Karina and Lee Jae-wook ended their relationship soon after on April 2, and pointed out that the intense fan disapproval from the protest trucks might have been the cause for the ending of the pair’s relationship.

Despite the initial outrage, the same CNN report notes that the breakup resulted in a different response. Fans are instead pitying Karina and Lee Jae-wook for their quick breakup, which was largely attributed to fan pressure.

Since breaking up, netizens have a new topic to talk about regarding the short-lived couple. Koreaboo reports Lee Jae-wook had uploaded a series of photos from a shoot with Singles Magazine, and many pointed out the irony between the magazine’s name and the actor’s current relationship status.

Image: jxxvvxxk / Instagram

During their brief relationship, Lee Jae-wook came under fire for his lack of support during his then-girlfriend's public persecution by angry fans. He was chastised for not being more outspoken in his efforts to protect Karina from negative attitudes towards their relationship.

Image: jxxvvxxk / Instagram

KBIzoom reports that more netizens are shifting attitudes to criticise Lee Jae-wook and his agency for pushing the brunt of negative attention toward Karina. She "has shouldered all the hatred" prior to the breakup.

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