[bitontheslide]

A K-pop star who had to issue a grovelling apology to fans for having a boyfriend is single again.

Karina and actor Lee Jae-wook rocked the K-pop world when they went public with their relationship in February, with some angry fans accusing her of "betrayal".

Lee's agency C-JeS Studio confirmed the break up, saying he wanted to "focus on his filming projects".

They added that the duo would "continue to support each other as colleagues".

The backlash - which also saw Karina criticised for being an irresponsible frontwoman of her four-woman group, aespa - prompted her to issue an apology on Instagram, where she vowed "to heal the wounds" she had inflicted.

"I apologise for surprising you greatly," wrote the singer, whose real name is Yu Ji-min. She pledged to show fans a "more mature and hardworking side" in future.

Some fans drove a "protest truck" to her management agency when the news broke.

"Is the love given to you by your fans not enough?" blared an electronic billboard on the vehicle.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-68711076