Some found the interaction problematic.
Koreaboo
A HYBE artist’s interaction with the members of aespa has drawn significant attention on social media, and for the wrong reasons.
Recently, a video of singer Rhea Raj meeting the members of aespa resurfaced on X (formerly Twitter). Raj, who is the older sister of Lara from KATSEYE, met aespa members back in 2025, when she was not on the roster of HYBE artists yet.
The resurfaced clip has claimed that while Rhea was sweet to all the aespa members, she didn’t receive the same courtesy from them. A post accused Karina of wiping her hands after shaking hands with the singer. Others also felt that the rest of the members’ reactions were rude.
Why are the aespa members treating Katseye member Lara’s sister in such a racist and rude way? Especially Karina wipes her hand after greeting her…. pic.twitter.com/hXKO7sNz2K
— 👾 (@Bilenkukkkkk___) September 24, 2026
The clip has brought a barrage of criticism for aespa, despite some fans trying to reason that the clip was being taken out of context.
A bunch of plastic racist https://t.co/13fBP6eudu
— 🕊️ (@LubnaKook7) September 24, 2026
It’s like meeting a bunch of school bullies https://t.co/95Ymadh0rp
— 👾 (@Bilenkukkkkk___) September 24, 2026
Ningning avoiding eye contact is kinda crazy 💀😭 https://t.co/ZOdob94IwR
— meg⁷ BORAMORE (@JIMINistrending) September 24, 2026
Acting like that as if they are not cuts with knife to look like that https://t.co/fF0LD0ahZA
— 죽을래 ⁷⊙⊝⊜ (@simplysavage_) September 25, 2026
even if karina was just “adjusting” her dress… the other two are giving mean girl vibes. they want to break into the west but they have a problem with anyone who’s not ghastly pale? https://t.co/3QAOh8URNx
— ~G (@exovertt) September 25, 2026