#WHEREISKARINA: MYs Criticize Journalist After 'Excluding' aespa Member in Article
On SNS, MYs expressed frustrations over "mistreatment" of media to aespa. In particular, the fandom once again complained about the exclusion of member Karina from an article by a Korean journalist. Keep reading to know more about what happened.
US Paparazzi Captures aespa's Top Visuals in Latest Photos
The issue started when the US entertainment media Backgrid released a paparazzi cut of aespa's recent status in the country. According to reports, the girl group was spotted at the entrance of a hotel in Hollywood, USA at that time.
In the released photos, Winter, Giselle, and Ningning were photographed while on their way to their tour schedule, showing off their charms in trendy outfits.
ALSO READ: aespa to Become First K-pop Girl Group to Perform in 'GMA' Summer Concert Series
The schedule includes visiting Warner Records' office in Los Angeles wherein SM Entertainment has signed a partnership with Warner for the distribution and marketing of aespa's music content.
On the same day, a Korean media outlet released an article about the photos and mentioned aespa Showcase SYNK in LA at the YouTube Theater for two days from June 26 to 27.
#WHEREISKARINA: MYs Slam Journalist After Excluding Karina from Article
Although fans were delighted to know aespa's recent status through the photos, the media outlet was criticized after noticing that Karina was nowhere to be seen in the released photos nor was mentioned why she wasn't included in the cuts.
where is the "sm princess" pic.twitter.com/0F3ZjIkFav
— yuki | ia (@devourina) June 29, 2022
MYs especially called out the journalist and emphasized that excluding Karina in the article while the group only have four members is disrespectful.
As aespa is a four member group, it is disrespectful to disregard her. Please take action by re-uploading the article with Karina included.#WHEREISKARINA
— KARINA VIETNAM ♡ (@CherishKarinaVN) June 29, 2022
As this issue gained more attention from MYs and internet users, they united to call the attention of both the media and journalists by using the phrases #WHEREISKARINA and "AESPA IS FOUR."
Furthermore, Karina's fan union also took the matter to SM Entertainment by organizing a mass email addressed to the agency to correct the article.
On Twitter, a template was distributed wherein the fandom expressed their side, saying:
"Hello.
We have noticed that Karina is absent from this Naver article detailing group activities for aespa.
Please correct this immediately as her fans are also waiting for her activities. As aespa is a four-member group, it is disrespectful to disregard her. Karina deserves respect.
Please take action by re-uploading the article with Karina included."
MASS EMAIL TEMPLATE
Please use the linked template to mass email SM. This will be the most effective way to correct the issue.
AESPA IS FOUR#WHEREISKARINA#KARINA #카리나 에스파 카리나@aespa_official @official_naver https://t.co/zmYj8sh5bI— KARINA GLOBAL UNION (@KRNGlobalUnion) June 29, 2022
As of writing, SM Entertainment, the media and the journalist are yet to take an action.
Meanwhile, aespa will release their second mini-album "Girls" simultaneously in Korea and the United States on July 8. With this album, they will wrap up the Season 1 of its SMCU aespa worldview and proceed with its next season.
The album will contain a total of six songs, including the title song of the same name. The title song "Girls" is a dance song featuring a strong wobble base and a synth sound with a rough texture, and it is expected that the confident vocals and rapping of the aespa members will catch your ears.
READ MORE: SM Entertainment Draws Scrutiny for Allegedly Mistreating aespa Karina — Here's Why
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Written by Eunice Dawson
