The K-Pop world was abuzz recently with the news of aespa‘s Karina and actor Lee Jae Wook being romantically involved. Following the confirmation of their relationship, former Oh My Girl member JinE found herself embroiled in a minor controversy due to a social media post.

On February 28th, JinE shared an Instagram story featuring a picture of herself against a snowy backdrop with the caption “Karina Karina Karina nanrina (there’s an uproar) lol.” This seemingly lighthearted post, however, sparked mixed reactions among netizens and fans.

Some interpreted the post as JinE simply expressing her surprise or amusement at the dating news. However, others took offense, believing that JinE shouldn’t have involved herself in the situation, and found her wordplay using Karina’s name to be disrespectful or even mocking.

Despite no longer being an active idol, JinE faced significant backlash online, including malicious comments. In response, she took to Instagram the following day to issue an apology. “I’m sorry if it seemed offensive,” she wrote. “I meant to say I was disappointed because she’s my favorite member.”

JinE’s apology clarified that her intention was not to be malicious or disrespectful, but rather to express her initial feelings of disappointment as a fan upon learning about Karina’s relationship.

It’s important to remember that celebrities, even former ones, remain in the public eye to some extent, and their actions can still be subject to scrutiny. While her intentions may not have been malicious, it’s easy to see how her post, without further context, could be misinterpreted by some.

ofc it had to be a nobody commenting on karina, didnt even know she existed until now

— mao (@easy_revenge80) February 28, 2024

This incident highlights the importance of responsible social media use, particularly for individuals who still hold a public profile, even if they are no longer actively promoting themselves as entertainers.