K-pop singer Karina issues grovelling apology for having a BOYFRIEND after furious fans accuse her of 'betrayal' and drive to her agency HQ with sign asking 'is our love not enough?'

One of K-pop's biggest stars has apologised for having a boyfriend after furious fans accused her of betrayal and threatened to boycott her music.

Karina, 23, shared a groveling apology letter on her Instagram yesterday after her relationship with actor Lee Jae-wook went public last week.

The singer promised to 'heal the wounds' she had inflicted after a billboard displaying angry messages was driven on a truck to her agency headquarters, and parked outside in protest.

'Why did you choose to betray the fans? Please apologize directly. Otherwise, you will see a decrease in album sales and empty concert seats,' a message facing the SM Entertainment building read.

Another demanded: 'Is the love given to you by Karina fans not enough? Why did you choose to betray the fans? Please apologise directly. Otherwise, you will see a decrease in album sales and empty concert seats.'

Karina, 23, has shared a groveling apology letter on her Instagram after her relationship with actor Lee Jae-wook went public

South Korean actor Lee has appeared in a series of popular TV shows in the country

The billboard displayed the message: 'Rather than feeling sorry towards the fans, you should be sorry to yourself, who has worked hard for seven years. You messed up your own career yourself. All your efforts have been denied by a single dating rumor. Are you satisfied?'

The electronic billboard was also emblazoned with a message accusing Karina of 'ruining her own career'.

The harsh statement read: 'Rather than feeling sorry towards the fans, you should be sorry to the you who has worked hard for seven years.

'You messed up your own career yourself. All your efforts have been denied by a single dating rumor. Are you satisfied?'

Addressing her fans in a handwritten letter yesterday, Karina, who is the frontwoman of aespa, said she was sorry she had 'shocked' them with the news.

She told the group's fanbase, known as MYs, that she understands she 'disappointed' them and that she felt 'even sorrier' than they did.

The singer, whose real name is Yu Ji-min, has led the four-woman group since it was formed by SM Entertainment in 2020.

Their record-breaking album My World sold 2.1 million copies in South Korea and they have since gained worldwide fame, recently collaborating with Coldplay's Chris Martin.

She is the most popular member of the girl group, boasting a staggering 12.7million Instagram followers. 

The singer (far right), whose real name is Yu Ji-min, has led the four-woman group since it was formed by SM Entertainment in 2020

Karina's relationship with 25-year-old actor Lee Jae-wook went public last week

Supportive fans have flooded her Instagram with positive comments since she apologised

Meanwhile 25-year-old South Korean actor Lee has appeared in a series of popular TV shows in the country and recently appeared in a Netflix movie.

Now news of her relationship could impact aespa's record sales, with heartbroken fans threatening to stop supporting the group. 

It comes after Blackpink star Jisoo came under intense scrutiny for her relationship with actor Ahn Bo-hyun, which was made public last August.

Such relationships can be 'bad for business' in South Korea and Japan, according to experts.

In an industry known for piling pressure on its biggest stars, K-pop record labels have long monitored every aspect of their performers' private lives. 

'They want to sell idols that appear to be, at least in an imaginary sense, romantically obtainable. 

'Fans can imagine themselves in some form of social relationship with this idol,' sociologist Dr Patrick Williams told the BBC when news of Jisoo's relationsip broke.

Just a decade ago, it was common practice for stars' management to ban them from getting into romantic relationships or even from having phones.

As K-pop has exploded into a global phenomenon, international fans have expressed their shock at such practices and a culture which discourages stars from dating.

Karina is the most popular member of the girl group, boasting a staggering 12.7million Instagram followers

Many have expressed their upset at Karina feeling the need to apologise for her relationship.

Supportive fans have flooded her Instagram post with positive comments since she uploaded it yesterday.

One, who confessed they were a MY, said they were 'happy for Karina' nonetheless.

A fanpage commented: 'No need to apologize, its not your fault. The real fans will happy as long as you happy, they don't deserve you dear.' 

Another supporter slammed the industry, saying: 'K-pop will never change if idols continue to allow this kind of people to come into their lives like this, Karina has every right to love whoever she wants, and she should never ask for forgiveness for loving.'

And an X user wrote: 'Karina apologizing for LIKING someone has to be one of the craziest things in the world...'

Karina's apology in full 

Karina's Instagram post gained more than 2.2million likes in 24 hours and was flooded with comments

Hello, this is Karina. Firstly, I am sorry to have shocked you so much. I was late [in addressing it] as I felt like I had to be careful since MYs were very rattled. I know very well just how disappointed MYs, who have been supporting me all this while, were and just how sad you must've been as you recalled everything we have talked about together. Because I know just how you feel, I feel even sorrier.

I've come to write you a letter, in hopes that my feelings are conveyed, even just a tiny bit. The reason that I'm writing this even though I'm worried that I may be hurting you again, is because I want to sincerely convey how sorry I feel to the fans who have given me the gift of the warmest winter, ever since I made my debut. In the future, I want to mend the wounds that MYs received. I have always been sincere towards MYs and even now, each and every one of you are such precious people to me.

This might be too short to express everything I feel, but thank you for reading it. In the future, I will not disappoint MYs and will show you a more mature and hardworking side of me as I promote. Please watch over me.

MYs, eat well and let's meet in good shape. I'm sorry and very grateful.

Source: Koreaboo