Aespa's Karina issues apology letter to fans about recent dating news
The K-pop and K-drama worlds were brought to shock when dating news of aespa's leader Karina and Alchemy of Souls star Lee Jae Wook was released by Korean media news outlet Dispatch on the 27th of February.
SM Entertainment and C-Jes Studios, Karina and Jaewook's respective agencies, first responded by saying that they would look into it. A few hours later, they released statements confirming that the two Korean stars were “getting to know each other.”
According to Dispatch, their blooming relationship started after their first meeting ever during the Prada Fashion Show in Milan Fashion Week last January 14, 2024.
One week after the news came out, Karina shared a handwritten apology letter on Instagram addressed to her fans concerning her relationship with Lee Jae Wook.
Soompi, one of Korea's trusted online news sites, translated Karina's message which she started by apologizing right away for surprising the fans greatly, and saying that she was late in writing the letter because she was cautious towards the MYs who must have been very surprised by the dating news.
Karina added in Korean language, “I know very well how disappointed the MYs who have supported me up until now must be, and I also know that they are feeling upset while thinking back on the things we've said to one another. I feel even more sorry because I, too, understand those feelings all too well.”
The K-pop idol also said that she hopes to send her messages better through the letter.
“Even though I'm worried that this [letter] may hurt [fans] one more time, the reason I'm taking the risk and writing this is because I wanted to convey that I am sincerely sorry to the fans who gifted me with the warmest winter of my life from the moment I debuted.” she wrote.
Towards the end of her letter, Karina said that she wants to “do a good job filling the places where MYs have been wounded.” She also reminded her fans about her sincerity and that they are “truly precious” to her.
She also thanked the fans who took the time to read her short letter. Karina also hopes not to disappoint her fans even further as she works even harder on her activities and shows her more mature side.
Karina closed her letter by saying, “MYs, please make sure to eat well, and let's meet one another in good shape. I'm sorry, and I'm very grateful.”
Karina is a member of SM Entertainment's four-member girl group aespa popular for their hit songs “Next Level,” “Black Mamba,” and “Savage.” Meanwhile, Lee Jae Wook is a Korean actor set to star in the upcoming Korean TV series The Impossible Heir.
Look at the full translation of the letter below courtesy of Soompi: