On November 16, 2025, local authorities in China firmly shut down persistent rumors circulating online that Canadian-Chinese artist Kris Wu (also known as Wu Yi Fan), who is currently incarcerated, had passed away during his 13-year prison sentence.
Official Police Denial
The Jiangsu police issued a firm denial, directly addressing the claims of Kris Wu’s death:
- Status: They stated unequivocally that the online reports about Kris Wu are “groundless rumors.”
- Warning: Authorities urged the public to “stop spreading them indiscriminately,” indicating the severity of spreading false information.
- Frequency: Chinese media noted that these are not the first such claims, marking this as “already the third death rumor to surface” about the former EXO member.
Kris Wu (Credit: Pinterest)
Origin of the Latest Rumors
The most recent wave of sensational rumors appears to have originated from an individual who claimed to have served time with Kris Wu in prison.
- Allegations: The source alleged on social media that the artist was murdered for “failing to satisfy the demands of local prison gang members.”
- Extreme Speculation: These claims fueled widespread speculation, including bizarre and unverified rumors involving organ harvesting.
The official denial by the Jiangsu police confirms that these detailed and dramatic stories circulating on social media are entirely fabricated.
Context of Kris Wu’s Sentence
Kris Wu, who debuted as a member of EXO in 2012 before leaving the group in 2014, was convicted and sentenced in 2022 following a high-profile trial:
- Sentence Details: In 2022, he was sentenced to a total of 13 years in prison for two separate crimes:
- 11 years and six months for rape.
- One year and 10 months for “assembling a crowd to engage in sexual promiscuity.”
- Deportation: After completing his entire prison sentence, Kris Wu will be immediately deported from China to Canada, the country where he grew up and holds citizenship.
The police confirmation ensures that despite the persistent circulation of sensationalist rumors, Kris Wu remains alive and is currently serving his mandated sentence.
On November 18, 2025, the French luxury house Chanel Beauty officially announced K-pop star Karina of the girl group aespa as its newest ambassador.
This high-profile partnership was immediately celebrated with the release of Karina’s debut pictorial for the brand, cementing her status as a global fashion and beauty icon.
The synergy between the globally successful K-pop group and the timeless luxury brand marks a major milestone for Karina’s solo career and highlights her growing influence in the high-end beauty sector.
The Debut Pictorial: Interpreting Natural Beauty
To inaugurate the ambassadorship, Karina’s debut pictorial was revealed via W Korea magazine. The images showcased her embodying the brand’s aesthetic with a modern flair.
- Thematic Alignment: According to Chanel Beauty, Karina was tasked with bringing her unique interpretation to the brand’s enduring philosophy of “natural beauty.” This focus suggests a shift toward highlighting understated elegance and genuine confidence in the campaign’s visual identity.
- Aesthetic Characteristics: The pictorial successfully captured a charm that is described as being both “effortless and confident.” Her resulting appearance was lauded for its “signature elegance” and “refined sense of style,” culminating in a look that is mature, composed, and utterly captivating. Additional campaign details confirm that the makeup look centered on a ‘natural look’ where her skin’s radiance was enhanced using products like the Les Beiges Healthy Glow Gel Touch Cushion Foundation, complemented by a soft, luminous color from Rouge Coco Baume Shine.
aespa’s Karina (Credit: YouTube)
The full pictorial is available for viewing in the November issue of W Korea, as well as across Chanel Beauty’s official website, Instagram, YouTube, and other digital platforms.
The Future of the Collaboration
The partnership between Karina and Chanel Beauty is set to be extensive and multifaceted, building on the strong foundation laid by the debut pictorial.
- Upcoming Campaigns: The collaboration will involve launching “various collaborative campaigns together” in the future. These projects are intended to “present new facets of beauty” through creative and diverse campaigns, leveraging Karina’s global reach and striking visual appeal.
- Industry Context: Karina’s appointment as the face of Chanel Beauty solidifies her position among K-pop’s elite luxury ambassadors. This major deal follows other high-profile endorsements and collaborations, demonstrating her substantial commercial power and sophisticated image, which resonates strongly with luxury consumers worldwide. Her success reflects aespa’s overall dominance in the global entertainment market, which has recently included milestones like earning various Circle Chart certifications and headlining major international festivals.
The synergy between the group’s global prominence and the luxury house’s heritage promises to redefine contemporary beauty standards in exciting and influential ways.
