<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nKarina Aespa was officially born as Yu Ji-min on April 11, 2000. Her place of birth is situated in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. She is a singer, rapper, dancer, and model. Stage name Karina is the stage name for the leader of aespa. Karina sings, raps, and dances, and she is one of the main performers of aespa. She is working with an agency called SM Entertainment.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Aespa comprises Karina, Giselle, Winter, and Ningning. Aespa made their debut with the song “Black Mamba” on November 17, 2020. Karina is also one of the members of GOT the Beat, which is an SM Entertainment project group composed of female artists. The unit comprises BoA, Taeyeon, Hyoyeon, Seulgi, Wendy, Karina, and Winter. The unit made their debut with “Step Back” on January 3, 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\nProfile<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nField<\/strong><\/th>Details<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>Full Name<\/td> Yu Ji-min <\/td><\/tr> Date of Birth<\/td> April 11, 2000 <\/td><\/tr> Age<\/td> 26 years old <\/td><\/tr> Birthplace <\/td> Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea <\/td><\/tr> Nationality <\/td> South Korean <\/td><\/tr> Profession<\/td> Singer, rapper, dancer, and model <\/td><\/tr> Religion<\/td> Catholic<\/td><\/tr> Zodiac Sign <\/td> Aries <\/td><\/tr> Marital Status<\/td> Unmarried<\/td><\/tr> Current Residence<\/td> Seoul, South Korea<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Early Life & Upbringing <\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nKarina Aespa was born and brought up in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. She grew up with her parents and an elder sister. At school, she gained an interest in dancing. It is reported that Karina gained interest in being a singer after viewing performances by Girls’ Generation. She also gained fame on social media before officially making her debut. She was referred to as \u201culzzang.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is a Korean word referring to people who are famous for their good looks. This ultimately led to her gaining the attention of a casting agent at SM Entertainment. As per her biography, it is reported that she was approached via social media by a casting agent from SM Entertainment. Initially, Karina thought that it could have been a fraud message but she ended up auditioning and joining SM Entertainment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Educational Background of Karina Aespa<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nKarina received her high school education at Hansol High School, located in Bundang. But Karina Aespa<\/strong> did not continue her high school education for very long because she quit to concentrate on her SM Entertainment training. After quitting school, Karina attained an educational qualification that is similar to a high school education via the Korean academic qualification exam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Karina Aespa Age<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nKarina\u2019s date of birth is recorded as April 11, 2000. Accordingly, Karina Aespa age is 27 years old <\/strong>in traditional Korean age method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Physical Appearance <\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nField\u00a0<\/strong><\/th>Details<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>Height <\/td> 5 feet and 6 inches (167 cm)<\/td><\/tr> Weight <\/td> 46 kgs (101 lbs)<\/td><\/tr> Hair Color<\/td> Dark Brown <\/td><\/tr> Eye Color<\/td> Dark Brown <\/td><\/tr> Skin Color<\/td> Fair complexion<\/td><\/tr> Appearance <\/td> Athletic and curvy<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Parents & Siblings of Karina Aespa<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe father and mother of Karina Aespa have never made any public appearances. Indeed, their names and professions are undisclosed. When it comes to her siblings, she is accompanied by an elder sister, but Karina hasn\u2019t revealed her identity either. In simple words, she prefers to keep her immediate family members far away from the media exposure.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Karina Aespa Love Life, Marriage, & Kids<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nKarina has never been married throughout her life and doesn\u2019t have any kids. In terms of her love life, there is only one publicly recorded relationship. She was dating Lee Jae-wook for a few months. Professionally, he is a South Korean actor. <\/p>\n\n\n\nLove Life<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nAccording to sources, Karina and Lee met for the first time during the Prada Fashion Show in Milan. Their breakup was announced a few months later. Since then, there is no reliable information suggesting that Karina is dating again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Career & Professional Journey <\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAfter being discovered through social media, Karina Aespa joined SM Entertainment and underwent training for about four years before making her debut. While still a trainee, she made her first appearance in professional projects as featured in Taemin’s \u201cWant\u201d music video and on promotional stages. She also participated in the virtual showcase of Hyundai Motor Company and SM Entertainment titled “Beyond DRIVE” where she starred alongside EXO’s Kai, advertising the All-New Tucson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Karina was introduced by SM Entertainment as the second member of aespa and the group debuted with \u201cBlack Mamba\u201d. She became the leader and one of the core performers of the group that was known for its futuristic concept and virtual avatar story. The group rose to fame and became one of the leading fourth generation K-pop groups with songs like \u201cNext Level\u201d, \u201cSavage\u201d, \u201cGirls\u201d, \u201cSpicy\u201d, \u201cDrama\u201d, \u201cSupernova\u201d, \u201cArmageddon\u201d, \u201cWhiplash\u201d, \u201cDirty Work\u201d, and \u201cRich Man\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Karina Aespa further diversified her career by joining GOT the beat which is a supergroup that includes members from Girls’ Generation, Red Velvet, and Aespa. Karina was able to perform alongside other established artists like BoA, Taeyeon, and Hyoyeon through their debut single \u201cStep Back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Individual Stardom In South Korean Music Industry & Fashion Collaborations<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nKarina Aespa formed her own individual music identity with the help of aespa\u2019s concert and solo activities. The solo track \u201cUP\u201d released by aespa during their SYNK: PARALLEL LINE concert tours became official and Karina joined in the writing of its lyrics. This song brought huge success to Karina, winning first place on MBC’s Show! Music Core and entering top 10 positions in South Korea’s Circle Digital Chart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following this success, Karina participated in another solo song called \u201cGOOD STUFF\u201d within the project SYNK: aeXIS LINE of aespa. Outside of the music sphere, Karina started appearing on television shows like Synchro U and Agents of Mystery, winning Rookie of the Year in Show and Variety at the KBS Entertainment Awards. Additionally, she contributed to the Netflix TV series Song of the Bandits with her OST track \u201cSad Waltz.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, Karina became famous in the fashion field apart from music. Karina became a brand ambassador for Prada and soon was announced as the global model for Sprite. Karina has been chosen as a new face for Converse. Karina participated in many major fashion shows and fashion industry events, for example, she was a part of the reopening of Prada store in Singapore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Karina made an appearance in the music videos of Taemin\u2019s \u201cWant,\u201d U-Know\u2019s \u201cVuja De,\u201d and G-Dragon\u2019s \u201cTOO BAD\u201d (featuring Anderson .Paak). Karina still remains active with aespa, releasing special digital single SYNK: aeXIS LINE with songs \u201cSerenade\u201d featuring Winter and \u201cLollipop\u201d by Giselle and Ningning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Achievements & Awards<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\nEarned the first music show award with \u201cUP\u201d on October 19, 2024.<\/li>\n\n\n\n Earned Rookie of the Year Award at the KBS Entertainment Awards for Synchro U on December 21, 2024.<\/li>\n\n\n\n Won Best Female Solo Artist Award at the Korea First Brand Awards.<\/li>\n\n\n\n Won Best Female Entertainment Idol Award at the Korea First Brand Awards.<\/li>\n\n\n\n Earned Most Influential Advertising Model Award at the Brand Customer Loyalty Awards.<\/li>\n\n\n\n Nomination for Best Dance Performance Female Solo at MAMA Awards for \u201cUP.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n Won UPICK Global Choice Female Award at the D Awards, based on award data.<\/li>\n\n\n\n Earned Global Trend Songs Top 1 Award at the TMElive International Music Awards for \u201cGOOD STUFF,\u201d.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n