aespa has come under fresh scrutiny after an old video showing the K-pop group interacting with singer Rhea Raj resurfaced on social media. The clip, originally recorded in 2025, has triggered accusations that the members behaved rudely toward Raj, with some social-media users going further and alleging racist behaviour.

However, the claims are based on interpretations of the short interaction, and there has been no confirmation that the aespa members intended any discriminatory behaviour. The controversy has gained attention partly because Rhea Raj is the older sister of KATSEYE member Lara and became associated with HYBE after the original interaction took place.

Rhea Raj's Old Interaction With aespa Resurfaces

The resurfaced footage shows Rhea Raj meeting the members of aespa during an interaction in 2025. According to the report, Raj appeared friendly toward the group, while some viewers felt that the members did not respond with the same level of warmth.

One moment involving Karina has become the centre of the discussion. After shaking hands with Raj, Karina appeared to wipe or touch her hand, which some viewers interpreted negatively. Other users also criticised the reactions and body language of the remaining members.

Social Media Users Accuse aespa Of Racist Behaviour

The clip quickly spread across X, where some users accused aespa of treating Raj differently because of her race. Posts describing the interaction as racist and rude attracted significant attention, while others criticised the members' expressions and lack of visible engagement.

However, the footage itself does not establish the reason behind the members' actions. Some fans argued that the clip could be missing context and that individual gestures should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of racist intent.

Also read: Ahn Hyo Seop's Final Table Teaser Introduces Chef Kang Han

Rhea Raj Was Not A HYBE Artist At The Time

Another detail being highlighted in the discussion is the timing of the original meeting. Rhea Raj met aespa in 2025, before she became part of the HYBE artist roster. She is known as the older sister of Lara, who is a member of KATSEYE.

The connection to HYBE has become more relevant now because the resurfaced footage is being discussed as an interaction between aespa and someone later connected to a HYBE-associated group. The original meeting itself predates that association.

aespa Faces Another Online Controversy

The allegations come amid a period in which aespa members have faced several separate online controversies and intense scrutiny over their public appearances and interactions. The Rhea Raj clip has now added another layer to the discussion surrounding the group.

For now, the racism claims remain allegations based on how social-media users have interpreted the resurfaced footage. Neither aespa nor SM Entertainment has publicly confirmed that the interaction involved racist intent. Without additional context or a statement from those involved, the exact reason behind the gestures seen in the video remains unclear.

Also read: The Scandal Enters Netflix Global Top 10 In 3 Days