Rapper and entrepreneur Beenzino has come under scrutiny after posting on Instagram during South Korea's early voting period for the 21st presidential election. The post, which featured him wearing red clothing with the caption "World Red Day," sparked speculation about political messaging. Following growing backlash, Beenzino deleted the post within two hours and issued a public apology.
The original post included several photos of Beenzino in red-toned outfits, including a pair of red pants from his fashion brand IAB STUDIO. One photo showed him holding his son. Although the images appeared to reflect everyday life, the timing of the post, coinciding with early voting day, led some to believe he was expressing a political stance. In South Korea, the color red is often associated with a particular political party.
Social media users reacted quickly, leaving comments such as "Did you vote for number 2?" and "Just say you voted for number 2." Some also questioned his previous brand collaborations in light of the perceived political signal. Actor Lee Dong Hwi liked the post and left a heart emoji in the comments, but later deleted it, likely in response to the controversy.
In response to the situation, Beenzino posted a statement on his Instagram Story:
"Hello, this is Beenzino.
I sincerely apologize to anyone who felt uncomfortable due to the post I uploaded today.
I had no political intentions whatsoever. I simply wanted to share a few peaceful moments from recent days with my family and at the studio to start the morning on a positive note.
However, I now realize that posting during the early voting period may have led to misunderstandings. I admit that I was not careful enough, and I am reflecting deeply on that.
I always consider it important to communicate in a healthy way with my diverse fans. For that reason, I believe today’s post was careless and insufficient.
The post has now been deleted. From now on, I will be more mindful and thoughtful with everything I share and express. I appreciate those who pointed out the issue. I sincerely apologize."
Beenzino married German model Stefanie Michova in 2022. The couple welcomed their son last year.
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