KATSEYE's Lara posts on Pahalgam 20 days after attack, K-pop fans school her with 'don't use India?for?aesthetics'
Most Indian celebrities stood with the Armed Forces, while Indian BTS and BLACKPINK fans helped counter anti-India narratives. Indian K-pop idols Aria (X:IN) and Sriya Lenka (BLACKSWAN) also showed their support.
In the past few weeks, tensions between India and Pakistan have reached an all-time high. It began with the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives. India responded with Operation Sindoor, a military strike targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir¡ªmarking a significant escalation in Indo-Pak hostilities.
A majority of Indian celebrities stood firmly with the Indian Armed Forces, and Indian BTS and BLACKPINK fans also joined the movement, actively countering anti-India narratives online. Notably, two Indian K-pop idols¡ªAria from X:IN and Sriya Lenka from BLACKSWAN¡ªopenly expressed their support.
Look at these two divas who spoke up about India immediately!
¡ª ri (@rozaycados) May 10, 2025
(Aria from Xin and Sriya from Blackswan) pic.twitter.com/DuqETnCzbX
KATSEYE's Lara Raj faces backlash
However, KATSEYE member Lara Raj has stirred controversy among Indian K-pop fans. The vocalist of the HYBE girl group has Tamil roots and was born and raised in Los Angeles. Known for embracing her heritage, she has often shared pictures on Instagram wearing bindis, an Om pendant, and even sarees¡ªopenly celebrating her Indian identity.
Despite this, fans were upset that she remained silent about the Indian Armed Forces¡¯ response to the crisis.
Posts 20 days after the attack
What infuriated fans further was that Lara only posted about the Pahalgam attack 20 days after it occurred¡ªand only after Indian K-pop fans began questioning her silence on Instagram.
After 20 days ...
¡ª nannajassel (@renjunnanna) May 12, 2025
Fans argued that despite proudly displaying her Indian heritage, Lara failed to acknowledge the sacrifices of Indian soldiers. Defenders noted that although she is of Indian descent, she holds American nationality.
However, Indian K-pop fans pointed out that nationality is irrelevant, as Lara has previously spoken out on global issues like the Gaza crisis and LGBTQ+ rights¡ªsuggesting she is not restricted by her label. Many netizens also criticized the pattern of NRIs using Indian culture and aesthetics for visibility, while remaining silent during politically sensitive times.
Fans react
Several fans said Lara was using her Indian identity to get attention, and called her silence fake or insincere. One said, "Imagine making India your whole aesthetic but not speaking up for your own country. It's giving privileged and shameful."
imagine making india as your whole aesthetic but you can't even speak up for your own country. It's giving privileged and shameful. https://t.co/QB42jJsVEz
¡ª hotsoo.? (@rojejilisa) May 12, 2025
Another asked, "Can anyone who has Lara's Weverse DMs ask her to speak up and spread awareness about the India-Pak war? We need the support and exposure right now :/."
can anyone who has lara¡¯s weverse dms ask her to speak up and spread awareness about india-pak war?? we need the support and exposure right now :/
¡ª apollo? (@linosfifthcat) May 10, 2025
A user wrote, "Indians should boycott Lara. She¡¯s the only Indian K-pop idol who hasn¡¯t posted anything about this, yet she spoke about Palestine and LGBTQ rights because she¡¯s bi."
Indians should boycott lara + go get her instagram account comment
¡ª ?????? ????? ?? (@DARKXSTAR99) May 10, 2025
She is only indian k-pop idol whi haven't posted anything but she posted about palestine and LGBTQ rights for herself as she's Bi https://t.co/GjVN21UqCc pic.twitter.com/W2LB720sRa
Another added, "Non-Indian KATSEYE stans will act like Lara did something huge by posting that story, but if she flaunts Indian culture when it benefits her, then that story is the bare minimum¡ªand it¡¯s late."
Non Indian katseye stans are going to act like Lara has done some big favor posting that support story but if she is going around flaunting Indian culture when it benefits her then her posting a story in support of India is bare minimum that should've been done days ago.
¡ª Kun (@Gonefor_long) May 12, 2025
One stated, "Even if Lara from KATSEYE is an NRI, it doesn¡¯t change the fact that she¡¯s Indian and has used Indian aesthetics for hype. If she¡¯s so proud, why not speak up when it matters? Next time she does it for hype, she¡¯s getting cancelled."
Even if Lara from KATSEYE is a nri, it doesn't change the fact than she's an Indian and has been using Indian aesthetics for hype. If she's that proud to be Indian, then why doesn't she speak up when it's needed the most? Next time she uses India for hype, she's getting cancelled
¡ª Neocinnamaldehyde (@MRain48053) May 11, 2025
With KATSEYE being promoted as a global pop act rather than a traditional K-pop group, fans believe its members have more freedom to express personal views. This India¨CPakistan crisis has once again shown how vocal and discerning Indian social media can be¡ªespecially when cultural identity is perceived as performative.
Karen Noronha is a versatile journalist with a passion for sports and K-pop. With over 7 years of experience at publications like IBTimes UK, DNA, and OTTPlay/DesiMartini, she seamlessly transitions between covering global athletic events and the dynamic world of K-pop.
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