In the lead-up to South Korea's snap presidential election on June 3, 2025, a peculiar phenomenon has been observed among K-pop idols: a marked avoidance of the "V" sign. This seemingly innocuous gesture, typically associated with peace or victory, has become a potential minefield in the hyper-sensitive political climate. The election was triggered by the impeachment and removal of former President Yoon Suk-yeol.
The primary reason behind this avoidance stems from the unwritten rules and intense scrutiny surrounding K-pop idols' public image. They are expected to maintain strict political neutrality, and even the slightest perceived endorsement of a particular party or candidate can spark immediate backlash. In South Korea's highly polarized political landscape, where emotions run high, anything can be misconstrued as a political statement.
The "V" sign, in particular, has become problematic because it can be interpreted as representing the number "2," which is associated with the conservative People Power Party (PPP) in the upcoming election. The PPP's campaign branding also uses the color red, further contributing to the association. K-pop idols are therefore wary of making the gesture, especially near polling places or on social media, as it could be seen as an implicit endorsement of the PPP and its candidate, Kim Moon-soo.
Several recent incidents highlight this heightened sensitivity. Karina, a member of the popular girl group aespa, faced criticism after posting a photo of herself wearing a red-and-black jacket with the number "2" on it. Some interpreted it as a subtle nod to the PPP, leading to a wave of online criticism. Although the post was later deleted and her agency, SM Entertainment, issued a statement reinforcing her neutrality, the incident underscored the immense pressure idols face to avoid any potential misinterpretations.
Similarly, members of the boy group NMIXX were caught on camera refraining from making the "V" sign during a live broadcast, with one member even exclaiming, "No, don't do a V!". ZEROBASEONE's Kim Tae-rae confessed that making the "V" sign was a mistake and joked about "neutralizing" the gesture by holding up his blue phone. These instances, along with similar examples from groups like ATEEZ, TXT and RIIZE, illustrate the extreme caution idols are exercising during this election season.
Entertainment agencies are also playing a proactive role in managing this sensitivity. They are reportedly issuing strong warnings to their artists about avoiding certain colors, numbers, and gestures that could be misconstrued as political endorsements. These guidelines extend to seemingly minor details, such as the color of emojis used in online posts.
The pressure on K-pop idols to remain apolitical is rooted in the deeply ingrained expectation that they should serve as "cultural blank slates," appealing to a broad audience without alienating any particular group. While idols have become increasingly vocal about general social issues like environmentalism and racism, directly addressing contentious domestic political matters remains largely off-limits.
This election is particularly sensitive, as it was triggered by the ouster of former President Yoon Suk-yeol and involves a number of prominent candidates, including Lee Jae-myung of the liberal Democratic Party. With the political climate already charged, K-pop idols are navigating a minefield of potential controversies, making every effort to avoid any action that could be twisted into a political statement. They are still expected to show proof of voting to showcase political engagement.
As South Korea heads to the polls, the absence of the "V" sign in K-pop idols' public appearances serves as a stark reminder of the intense pressures they face to maintain political neutrality and the ever-present risk of misinterpretation in the age of social media.
