Rapper Lee Youngji has apologized after a wave of backlash accusing her of signaling a “political color” just days before the June 3 local elections.
On May 31, Lee posted on Instagram, “I must have startled many of you by uploading a Story that was really tone-deaf for the timing yesterday,” issuing an apology.
A day earlier, on May 30, she uploaded photos showing freshly dyed red hair with the caption “Isn’t the hair color pretty?” The post used the group Cortiz’s track ‘REDRED’ as background music.
Online, many questioned whether she was hinting at a specific political leaning ahead of the June 3 local elections.
As the controversy grew, Lee deleted the post and shared new photos with black hair. She added, “Even though I clearly knew this is an important time, my desire to communicate came first, and I ended up recklessly posting recent updates. I won’t hide behind the cowardly excuse of ignorance; I’ll reflect and learn. I’m sorry for my careless actions.”