A heated debate among MYs ignited once again after aespa Karina's supposed pre-debut photo made rounds on social media.

But is it really the idol?

On August 15, MYs (aespa fans) had an infighting due to a clash of opinions after seeing what was presumed to be aespa Karina pre-debut photo.

Apparently, the image was taken when she was in grade school. When it originally circulated on the web in 2020, the idol was criticized because of her "different" and "unflattering" appearance.

A post shared by instagram

However, as more of her pre-debut photos showing her beauty were unveiled later, those skeptical about the claims that she was a "natural beauty" toned down.

Despite this, the photo continued to be used by haters to pour scorn on her looks, just like what recently transpired on X (formerly Twitter).

When a non-MY tried to use the photo against Karina, one fan commented that it was not her.

She explained that the photo had a text that said, "I want to become an SM trainee," and a date below it, "2020.10.01". But Karina was already a well-known SM trainee in 2019, which supported the claim that it wasn't her.

The X account then uploaded another photo, claiming that it was Karina's real graduation picture. Some MYs also joined in and dropped receipts.

I could literally write any name on that pic if that's your basis of saying it was her. just bc some idiot put her name on that pic doesn't mean it was her. this was literally her when she was a kid and during middle school you somehow think that random girl was her??? pic.twitter.com/OEgdfW6pGy

— pft (@killua_0101) August 15, 2024

Karina in middle school, she has been scouted by SM for a reason. You thought SM would dm her IG if she looks like that? No offense to that girl tho. pic.twitter.com/VYaMXyBhQl

— . (@myae_universe) August 14, 2024

Honey, Karina is an fcking ulzzang before she even got casted by SM. Her pre-debut pics & vids are literally all over the internet. Stop bullying that poor girl, you dumb b* bullied her all the time, she did nothing wrong. We never said she ugly, SHE IS NOT KARINA, SUCK IT UP https://t.co/kpClBQm8Gj pic.twitter.com/EQGFFJeWkU

— 17 Years with 소시 💖 (@BananaSOne) August 15, 2024

ALSO READ: aespa Winter and Karina Pre-Debut Photos Draw Mixed Reactions, Plastic Surgery Allegations Arise

However, when the OP made the post, she also received negative feedback from co-MYs, insisting that the person in the photo was, in fact, Karina, contrary to what the author said.

They then expressed curiosity as to why many of the idol's supporters were denying it and embarrassed to admit that the girl in the picture was the aespa member pre-debut.

Fans who believed it was Karina also corrected the OP that the sticky notes actually stated, "DC SM trainee gallery," and the date was written by her elementary classmate, the original source of the photo.

why you cropped her name? Her name (유지민) is clearly written in the original pic

fyi the text on pic means "DC SM Trainees Gallery" (DC Gallery is korean forum like theqoo, pann, instiz, etc) and the date is the date the OP posted that pic on DC pic.twitter.com/Mx7OwGjacH

— ✧⁠*⁠。 (@xmlkywayx) August 14, 2024

it must be so strange for Karina to see fans being embarrassed (?) of pictures of her when she was a child. you people are genuinely disgraceful and I feel sorry for Aespa for having such shameless fans. weirdo https://t.co/7HM2IwreJW

— r ⚢ ⚡︎ (@viianwich) August 15, 2024

geez that pics are literally her elementary school graduation pics from her former SCHOOLMATE who defended her and tried to clears her name when she got tons of bad rumors before aespa debut! just click the post herehttps://t.co/CRyWgMfoSN

— ✧⁠*⁠。 (@xmlkywayx) August 15, 2024

She uploaded Karina's photos at the time to certify her identity, when she attempted to clear the idol's name amid bad rumors about her true personality, which surrounded her before debuting in aespa.

It would be safe to say that, like any other teenagers, Karina underwent the phase called puberty. Thus, as she entered middle and high school, changes in her appearance occurred and her beauty bloomed, as seen in her other pre-debut photos.

pre-debut karina is so pretty she can’t leave people’s mind pic.twitter.com/TV9B4GKRDN

— ْ (@jensorsli) August 15, 2024

pre-debut Karina is so beautiful. have a cry pic.twitter.com/9lEzasvLdC

— kaonashi (@kaonashiren) August 14, 2024

Meanwhile, other MYs expressed their hopes that this conflict would be resolved. Given that Karina is also chronically online, the idol won't be happy to see her fans fighting.

They also affirmed that the idol, regardless of her past, has always been beautiful inside and out.

READ MORE: aespa Karina Pre-Debut Photos Garner Attention — Here's Why

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Written by Eunice Dela Cruz