Idinaan ng aespa member na si Karina, 23, sa madamdaming liham ang paghingi ng paumanhin sa kanyang fans, kasunod ng pagkakabunyag ng relasyon nila ng K-drama actor na si Lee Jae Wook, 25.
Noong February 27, 2024, kinumpirma mismo ng kinabibilangang agencies ni Karina na SM Entertainment at ni Jae Wook na CJes Studios na nagkakamabutihan ngayon ang dalawang South Korean stars.
"The two are getting to know each other.
"Lee Jae Wook is currently filming [a drama], and as this involves his private life, we ask for warm respect to be shown," maikling pahayag ng CJes Studios.
Dagdag naman ng SM Entertainment, "Karina and Lee Jae Wook are getting to know each other."
Read: CONFIRMED: aespa Karina, actor Lee Jae Wook go on dates
Makalipas ang halos isang linggo, nag-post si Karina sa Instagram ng isang liham na naglalaman ng paghingi niya ng paumanhin sa mga tagahangang nabigla sa pagkakaroon niya ng special someone.
Sa Instagram post ni Karina nitong Martes, March 5, sinabi nitong alam niyang may ilan siyang fans ang ngayong disappointed sa kanilang nalaman.
Hindi rin daw niya masisisi ang mga ito kung ganito ang kanilang nararamdaman.
Mababasa sa kanyang liham (ayon sa English translation ng Soompi.com): "Hello, this is Karina. First, I apologize for surprising you greatly, and I wound up [writing this] late because I feel very cautious towards the MYs (aespa’s fans) who must have been very surprised.
"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.
"I wound up writing this letter in the hopes of conveying my feelings even a little bit.
"Even though I’m worried that this [letter] may hurt [MYs] 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."
Kalakip ng kanyang paumanhin ang pangako ni Karina na gagawin niya ang lahat ng kanyang makakaya para tuluyang matanggap ng fans ang naging desisyon niya.
Saad niya, "Starting now, I want to do a good job filling the places where MYs have been wounded. I have always been sincere towards MYs, and even now, each and every one of you is truly precious to me.
"Although this letter may be too short to express all of my feelings, thank you for reading it. In the future, I want to show you a more mature side, without disappointing MYs, as I work even harder in my activities.
"MYs, please make sure to eat well, and let’s meet one another in good shape. I’m sorry, and I’m very grateful."
Bago ang pag-amin sa publiko ng SM Entertainment at CJes Studios ay nauna nang ibinuking ng South Korean news outlet na Dispatch ang espesyal na relasyon nina Karina at Jae Wook.
Ayon sa exclusive report ng Dispatch, dahil sa pagsasama nina Karina at Jae Wook sa fashion show ng isang designer brand sa Milan, Italy, noong January 14, 2024, ay nakilala nila ang isa't isa at "they fell in love at first sight."
Inilabas din ng Dispatch ang mga litratong kuha nilang magpapatunay kung gaano kadalas nagkikita nang pribado sina Karina at Jae Wook na indikasyong mayroong namamagitan sa dalawa.
Si Jae Wook ay nakilala sa mga K-drama series na Extraordinary You (2019) at Alchemy of Souls (2022).
Habang si Karina naman ay nag-debut sa aespa, kasama sina Winter, Giselle, at Ningning, noong November 2020.
Kilala ang aespa sa mga kanta nilang "Next Level," "Black Mamba," "Spicy," "Savage," at "Drama."