aespa Karina’s “WATERBOMB 2026” Look Sparks Heated Debate

aespa‘s Karina has become the center of debate following her appearance at WATERBOMB 2026.

Karina attended the festival once again as a representative for Sprite, one of the event’s sponsors. During her set, she performed several songs, including her solo hit “UP.”

For the event, Karina wore short leopard-print shorts with a green tank top layered under a white sheer cropped top.

260725#KARINA #카리나 #aespa #에스파 pic.twitter.com/4JzMRlicZc

— 겨울이⭐️ (@minjeongist01) July 26, 2026

While many fans praised the outfit for matching Sprite’s fresh summer image, others questioned whether it suited WATERBOMB.

This angle of karina slowly lifting up her shirt and the way her hips moved ISJFJGJFJDKXK I FEEL CRAZY pic.twitter.com/5FI6K6P1uO

— . (@synkbone) July 25, 2026

The discussion quickly spread across Korean online communities after one viral post criticized her styling.

If Karina is going to dress like that, why is she even going to Waterbomb? Every time she goes, her outfit doesn’t match the purpose of the event…

— Viral post on Pann

Many netizens, however, pushed back against the criticism, arguing that WATERBOMB is not an event where female celebrities should be expected to wear revealing clothing.

• “Since when did Waterbomb become a bodybuilding competition?”
• “What exactly do you think the purpose of the event is? That female celebrities have to wear clothes that make it easy for them to be sexually harassed, so people can legally sexualize and criticize them? LOL. Is that really what you think Waterbomb is about?”
• “? Her outfit at the last Waterbomb was appropriately sexy and looked good. Aren’t you the same people who foam at the mouth and attack anyone who shows too much skin? LOL.”
• “She only appeared because she’s a Sprite advertising model. Go say your nonsense to a wall.”
• “I think you’ve got the wrong idea because you’re comparing her to people whose biggest career achievement and signature moment is just ‘doing Waterbomb.’ Waterbomb isn’t a place where people go to put on a strip show. She wore a pretty, refreshing outfit that matched the Sprite image, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. LOL.”