K-pop star Chaeyoung has spoken out on social media after facing backlash for posting an image of herself wearing a shirt with a swastika on.
A member of South Korean girl group Twice has faced backlash online for uploading an image of herself wearing a top with a swastika symbol on it.
Chaeyoung - one of nine members of the girl group - has since taken to Instagram to apologise.
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Posting a statement to her Instagram page in response to the backlash she has faced for the since-deleted image, the post reads: "Hello, this is Chaeyoung from TWICE.
"I sincerely apologize regarding the Instagram post. I didn't correctly recognize the tilted swastika in the t-shirt I wore.
"I deeply apologize for not thoroughly reviewing it, causing concern. I will pay absolute attention in the future to prevent any situation similar from happening again.
"Sincerely apologize again."
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However, this isn't the first time Chaeyoung has worn an item of controversial clothing. The singer was spotted just days earlier wearing a QAnon top, captioned: "We go again."
The singer is reported by Variety as having worn the QAnon top while performing on Show! Music Core, a South Korean music television program broadcast.
QAnon - described by some as a cult - is a far-right movement which believes conspiracy theories such as that a group of cannibalistic paedophiles operating a global sex trafficking ring conspired against former US President Donald Trump while he was in the White House.
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Social media users have been left divided over whether or not Chaeyoung really didn't realise there was a swastika symbol on her T-Shirt.
One user said: "I don’t think she actually understands it, not bc I think she is a great person but bc if a person who understands this and have a good international fans they wouldn’t risk their 10+ of work."
"That symbol is well known in Buddhism across Asia. I grew up recognizing that character so often," another argued.
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A third added: "That sid vicious shirt is an anti-nazi shirt it’s a classic punk symbol to wear nazi symbols in mockery. they boast that people lacked knowledge but they themselves can't even do basic research."
However, another argued: "The thing is, of course she’ll apologize after ppl called her out. But there’s no way she didnt know. From the q anon shirt to this… kpop idols dont dress themselves, there’s a whole team of stylists. There was at least a dozen people who saw that, who bought those clothes-
"- specifically for her to wear. There was her twice members who saw her wear it. There was her manager(s) who approved those outfits. There was her glam squad who did her hair/makeup while she wore those outfits.
"You mean to tell me not ONE person pointed it out???? Sure."
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A final similarly resolved: "Did she really not realize? Really? 2023 and she did not know? 'Oh okay then.'"
Topics: World News, Fashion, Social Media, Viral
Poppy Bilderbeck