Rising Controversy Over K-Pop Idols’ Political Colors Ahead of 21st Presidential Election, with Calls to Avoid “Neutral” Postures

K-Pop idols are facing increasing controversy over their political associations due to their poses and clothing choices ahead of the 21st presidential election. A series of incidents demonstrate that unofficial yet effective rules requiring idols to avoid showing political colors and specific gestures are actually being enforced within the industry. Karina of aespa sparked the biggest controversy with a photo she posted on Instagram on May 27. The image, seemingly taken in Japan, showed her wearing a black jacket with red patterns and the number 2 on the side, along with a red rose emoji. The photo spread rapidly across social media, where she was criticized under nicknames such as “conservative Karina,” “Candidate Number 2 Karina,” and “patriotic Karina.” This was because Kim Mun-soo, the candidate from the ruling People Power Party, is symbolized by red and appears in position 2 on voting ballots. Karina quickly deleted the photo, but criticism continued. SM Entertainment explained that she merely shared something she saw in her daily life without any other intention or purpose, adding that she removed it immediately after realizing it could cause misunderstanding. Other idols also showed efforts to adhere to election-season etiquette. Bae and Selca of NMIXX avoided making a V-sign during a YouTube live on May 27. After forming a V shape, Bae immediately shouted, “No! Don’t make a V!” Selca, after reluctantly showing a V sign as part of a challenge ending gesture, then used her hands to represent numbers from 1 to 5 to preempt political controversy. TOMORROW X TOGETHER adopted a neutral pose with clenched fists in a photo posted on their official Japanese social media account on May 27, while the virtual group PLAVE maintained a fist-folded gesture in a group photo during a YouTube live on May 24. Kim Taerae of ZEROBASEONE sent a selfie making a V-sign to the fan community app “Bubble” one minute before deleting it, followed by a message saying, “They said I can’t make a V sign because of the current season. I’ll neutralize it with the phone’s color (blue).” Sung Hanbin of the same group showed a “mandu pose” — pressing his fist against his cheek — instead of the requested “ballcock pose” at the production announcement for Mnet’s “World of SWUPA.” Later, in an Instagram live, he explained that he avoided the ballcock pose because it might lead to misunderstandings during the election season. During election time, K-Pop idols must avoid colors associated with political parties, such as red representing the ruling party and blue representing the opposition, as well as the colors of the Green Justice Party and the Joonguk Innovation Party. Additionally, common hand gestures like raising the thumb, making a V sign, or forming a circle can be interpreted as referring to specific candidates or party numbers, requiring extra caution when taking photos at voting stations. Ironically, failing to vote itself can attract criticism, putting idols in a delicate position where they must share voting photos while wearing neutrally colored clothing and using cautious gestures. The careful behavior of idols during this election season shows that these rules, though unofficial, are effectively in place.