The glittering façade of high-profile philanthropy has recently cracked, turning the annual W Korea “Love Your W” party—a supposed cornerstone event for breast cancer awareness—into a lightning rod for public outrage. What began as a celebration attended by a galaxy of celebrities, including members of the global K-pop group aespa, has spiraled into a fierce debate over celebrity conduct, the sincerity of charitable efforts, and the ethics of exclusive galas.
The core of the controversy stems from revelations suggesting a significant gap between the event’s public image and its operational reality. Netizens, scrutinizing the gala’s history, have exposed financial figures that challenge its philanthropic impact, specifically the allegation that the event has collectively raised less than $1,000,000 USD over its two-decade history. For many, this figure seems staggeringly low compared to the event’s lavish promotion and high-profile nature, leading to accusations that the “awareness campaign” is merely a pretext for an elite social gathering.
Critics quickly lambasted the entire atmosphere of the party, characterizing it as less of a serious awareness fundraiser and more of a “regular gala”—a place for privileged guests to network, socialize, and indulge. This perception of an event prioritizing celebration over compassion set the stage for the intense backlash against attendees whose behavior was deemed inappropriate for the solemnity of the cause.
The Giselle and Karina Video: When ‘Cute’ Turns Critical
In the midst of this escalating scrutiny, a video clip featuring aespa’s Karina and Giselle exiting the event has become a central piece of evidence fueling public anger. The popular girl group attended the function, with all members reportedly socializing throughout the evening. However, the footage capturing the two idols as they departed the venue quickly went viral and attracted heavy criticism.
In the clip, both Giselle and Karina appeared to be visibly disoriented or unstable, stumbling multiple times as they navigated the exit area. At one point, Giselle was captured nearly tipping over, requiring visible effort to regain her balance.
Initially, amongst their dedicated fanbase, the video was met with affection. Fans interpreted the idols’ clumsy exit as endearing, assuming they were merely “drunk, or at least tipsy,” and finding the moment “cute.” This interpretation suggested a normalization of celebratory drinking within the protected bubble of celebrity life.
However, as the broader facts about the “Love Your W” party’s alleged deficiencies and lack of fundraising transparency came to light, the public perception of the video underwent a dramatic reversal. The once-indulgent view of the idols’ tipsiness was replaced with a harsh, unforgiving judgment. Netizens swiftly transitioned from finding the clip charming to slamming the idols’ behavior as utterly inappropriate given the context of the event they had just attended.
The Public’s Verdict: Tone-Deaf and Disrespectful
The backlash against the idols, and the event as a whole, articulates a profound disappointment with the state of celebrity-driven philanthropy. The core argument leveled by critics is that the atmosphere of the gala—and the visible inebriation of its celebrity guests—was fundamentally disrespectful to the cancer awareness cause and its beneficiaries.
The comments section exploded with frustrated and furious rhetoric:
“Breast cancer campaign? Drunk idols? Is this really a breast cancer campaign? You’re calling it a campaign when privileged celebrities just eat and drink wine?”
“W Korea, this is completely tone-deaf.”
“It’s not like they’re mocking patients, but drinking, vibing, and flirting at a breast cancer campaign? That’s just a club, seriously lol.”
These statements highlight the public’s perception of a stark moral disconnect. For many, the sight of influential figures visibly intoxicated, potentially after consuming expensive wine and food, at an event dedicated to a serious and life-threatening illness, felt like a blatant trivialization of the cause. The critics argue that the atmosphere of partying, drinking, and socializing eclipsed the event’s stated purpose of raising awareness and funds.
The sentiment that the entire gathering was nothing more than an “exclusive club” for the elite to “vibe and flirt” solidifies the feeling of betrayal among the public. This criticism extends beyond just aespa’s members, leading to a blanket condemnation: “All the celebrities who took part in that—I can’t see them the same anymore. It’s just off-putting.”
