Karina of K-pop group aespa. Photo: @katarinabluu/InstagramKarina of K-pop girl group aespa apologized to fans who were surprised over the news of her relationship with actor Lee Jae-wook.

In a handwritten letter posted Tuesday on Instagram, the 23-year-old idol acknowledged how some fans may have felt surprised and upset with the revelation.

"I know very well how disappointed the MYs (aespa's fans) who have supported me up until now must be," she said in the letter, which was translated into English by K-pop news portal Soompi.

"I wanted to convey that I am sincerely sorry to the fans who gifted me with the warmest winter of my life from the moment I debuted," she said.

Karina also expressed her desire "to do a good job filling the places where MYs have been wounded."

"I have always been sincere towards MYs, and even now, each and every one of you is truly precious to me," she said.

Lee Jae-wook, aespa's Karina dating: report

Last week, Korean media outlet Dispatch revealed Karina and Lee's relationship, which both stars' agencies later confirmed.

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