South Korean singer Lee Chaeyon gained attention for her hilarious and meaningful early voting post during the politically sensitive election season.
With the election season in South Korea heating up, celebrities have been walking on eggshells on social media, eschewing colors or symbols that could be interpreted as political endorsements.
This caution follows recent controversies, such as aespa's Karina facing backlash over a red jacket linked by some netizens to political messaging.
In contrast, Lee Chaeyeon, former member of IZ*ONE, won praise for her lighthearted approach.
On the popular Korean forum theqoo, her early voting post has amassed over 75,000 views.
The singer shared a photo of her ink-stamped hand as proof of voting early, accompanied by the message: "Today is early voting day. You can vote anywhere, regardless of where you live."
What made her post stand out was a follow-up photo. Still wearing a wrist brace from a previous injury, Lee held a box of cherry tomatoes next to her brace and explained with humor: "Since I can't change my wrist brace, I am using my cherry tomatoes to neutralize it."
This playful gesture referred to the heightened sensitivity around specific colors during election season, where accessories or clothing can unintentionally signal political allegiance.
Netizens reacted positively, and some commended her creativity and civic activism.
Comments on the included:
"So cute"
"Cherry tomatoes, she's seriously so cute, Chaeyeon"
"Cherry tomato neutralization..so cute"
"After the phone case, now it's cherry tomato neutralization"
Fans applauded her genuine effort to vote and the way she brought humor to a serious moment.
Lee Chaeyeon's post has been cited as an example of how celebrities can engage in civic duties while respecting current cultural sensitivities.
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