Karina, left, and Lee Young-ji / Captured from social media of each
A rapper's red hair has become the latest flashpoint in a recurring debate over politics and celebrity culture in Korea.
Rapper Lee Young-ji issued a public apology Sunday after being swept into what Koreans often call a "political color controversy" ahead of the country's June 3 local elections.
The controversy began after Lee shared photos of herself with newly dyed red hair. She also posted images of herself wearing red clothing and used CORTIS' song “REDRED” as background music. While the posts appeared to be ordinary social media updates, some online users interpreted the color choice as a political signal because red is commonly associated with Korea's main conservative People Power Party.
The reaction quickly spread online, prompting Lee to address the criticism directly.
