aespa’s Karina has sparked a wave of reactions online after an unexpected moment involving NewJeans during the group’s recent concert activities in Dallas, Texas.
What appeared to be a simple fan interaction quickly gained attention because of Karina’s spontaneous response to an unusual photocard.
Following aespa’s latest SYNK : COMPLæXITY show in Dallas, the members participated in a send-off event where they met fans.
During the interaction, one MY approached Karina and asked her to sign a photocard. However, the item was not an aespa photocard.
When Karina asked what the card was, the fan answered,
“NewJeans!”
The aespa member immediately appeared surprised before breaking into a wide smile.
She even greeted the photocard with a quick “hi” before signing it.
The moment was captured on video and quickly circulated across social media, with fans paying particular attention to the fact that the photocard appeared to feature all five NewJeans members, including Danielle.
Karina’s Reaction Sends “aeJeans” Fans Into a Frenzy
The brief interaction was enough to send fans into a frenzy.
Many interpreted Karina’s smile and greeting as a sweet indication of her continued affection toward NewJeans, reviving discussions about the friendship between members of the two groups.
Some fans celebrated the moment by declaring that “aeJeans” was still alive, referencing the nickname used by fans for the friendship between aespa and NewJeans.
Others said Karina’s reaction made it seem as though she was genuinely happy to see the NewJeans image.
The groups have maintained a friendly relationship despite being caught up in a complicated industry narrative surrounding HYBE, ADOR and SM Entertainment.
In 2024, former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin revealed that HYBE chairman Bang Si Hyuk had allegedly asked whether her upcoming girl group could “crush aespa.”
Despite the reported comment, the members themselves have repeatedly shown that they do not view one another as personal rivals.
aespa and NewJeans’ Friendship Continues to Draw Attention
Karina previously addressed questions about aespa’s relationship with NewJeans during a 2024 showcase, explaining that the groups had interacted positively backstage.
She said they had exchanged hearts in the waiting rooms and complimented one another’s performances, adding that they were “getting along well as good colleagues.”
Ningning similarly emphasized that aespa was focused on competing with itself rather than other artists.
Their interactions have continued to attract attention.
Earlier in 2026, fans noticed what they believed were possible references to NewJeans songs in aespa’s “LEMONADE” choreography.
At the same time, other aespa-related interactions involving ILLIT had sparked criticism from sections of the fandom, highlighting how closely fans continue to monitor the groups’ connections.
Against that background, Karina’s latest reaction stood out precisely because it appeared completely spontaneous.
While fans naturally interpreted the moment in different ways, the short clip ultimately became another viral example of the long-running friendship and mutual support associated with aespa and NewJeans.
