Karina (aespa) | Leader, Main Dancer

Stage Name: Karina (카리나)

Birth Name: Yu Ji Min (유지민)

Birthday: April 11, 2000

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Chinese Zodiac Sign: Dragon

Height: 167.8 cm (5’6″)

Weight: 45 kg (99 lbs)

Blood Type: B

Nationality: Korean

Instagram: @katarinabluu

Occupation

Singer, rapper

Group debut

November 17, 2020 (aespa)

January 3, 2022 (GOT the beat)

Years active

2019–present

Agency

SM Entertainment (2016–present)

Associations

GOT the beat

Karina, born Yu Jimin on April 11, 2000, in Suwon, South Korea, showed an early interest in music and the arts. As a child, she began taking piano lessons, which laid the foundation for her future career in the entertainment industry. Her passion for music wasn't her only interest; Karina was also drawn to the world of animation and characters. She was particularly fond of Crayon Shinchan, a love that has remained a significant part of her personality.

Growing up, Karina's aspirations were diverse. In an interview with NME, she revealed, "I actually wanted to be a fashion designer or a visual artist when I was younger". However, her path would eventually lead her to the world of K-pop, inspired by iconic groups like Girls' Generation and their song "Into the New World".

Karina's journey to stardom took an unexpected turn during her high school years. Her striking visuals and social media presence caught the attention of SM Entertainment scouts. She had become an Ulzzang (a term for "best face" or "good-looking") and created a social media account that garnered at least five to six thousand followers. This online presence led to SM Entertainment contacting her through direct messages, marking the beginning of her path to becoming an idol.

Karina's life as a trainee at SM Entertainment began in 2016, marking the start of a four-year journey before her debut. During this time, she honed her skills in singing, dancing, and performing. Her talent didn't go unnoticed, as she was featured as a backup dancer in Taemin's "Want" music video and promotional stages, providing her with valuable experience in the industry.

Throughout her trainee period, Karina continued to develop her skills across various aspects of performance. She emerged as a talented dancer, rapper, and vocalist, showcasing her versatility as an artist. This rigorous training period prepared her for the challenges and demands of life as a K-pop idol, setting the stage for her eventual debut with aespa.

aespa, launched by SM Entertainment in November 2020, introduced a groundbreaking concept to the K-pop industry. The group consists of four members: Karina, Giselle, Winter and NingNing, each paired with a virtual avatar counterpart. This innovative approach bridges the virtual and real worlds, creating an interconnected universe known as the SM Culture Universe.

The group's formation process was unique. Karina, revealed as the second member on October 27, 2020, was discovered through Instagram by an SM recruiter. Before joining SM Entertainment, she trained at the BORN Star Training Center as a vocalist and appeared in Taemin's "Want" music video as a backup dancer.

aespa's debut single, "Black Mamba," made an immediate impact upon its release. The music video achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the fastest K-pop debut music video to reach 100 million views on YouTube. This unprecedented success signaled the group's potential to revolutionize the K-pop scene.

The group's rise to fame has been nothing short of meteoric. In a short span of time, aespa has established themselves as a formidable force in the K-pop industry. Their third EP, "My World," released on May 8, 2023, exemplifies their growing popularity. The album received an astounding 1.8 million pre-orders and sold 1.37 million copies on its first day, breaking the first-day sales record for a K-pop girl group.

aespa's innovative concept, combined with their undeniable talent, has resonated with a global audience. Their ability to bridge the virtual and real worlds has not only set them apart but also positioned them as trendsetters in the ever-evolving K-pop landscape.

Karina's vocal abilities have often been underestimated due to her position as a sub-vocalist in aespa. However, she has demonstrated solid foundations that surpass many vocal line members in the 4th generation of K-pop idols. Before her debut, Karina showcased clean phrased A4's with adequate support, indicating her potential as a vocalist. As she has matured, her sound has become cleaner and more well-managed, with a possible extension up to Bb4.

Despite her progress, Karina still faces some challenges in her vocal technique. These include occasional tension, particularly in the neck area, even within her supposed comfort range. Additionally, her lower register can be underwhelming for a soprano, with Bb3's sometimes lacking tonality and stability.

As aespa's main dancer, Karina has showcased exceptional dance skills that have garnered recognition within the K-pop industry. Her performances in songs like "Next Level," "Savage," and "Dreams Come True" have demonstrated her versatility as a dancer. However, her dance style has been subject to some critique, with observations that her technique can sometimes appear unnatural or overly technical.

Karina's dancing is characterized by precision, control, and a somewhat sharp quality, which aligns with SM Entertainment's preference for highly synchronized and intricate group choreographies. In her performance with Kai for Hyundai Motors, Karina displayed her ability to execute both clean, sharp moves and smoother, more fluid dance styles.

Karina's stage presence has evolved significantly since aespa's debut. Initially criticized for lacking presence, she has shown marked improvement since the release of "Next Level". Her strong impact with minimal facial expressions and commanding body language have become defining features of her performances.

As a dominant performer, Karina has learned to draw attention effectively, even when performing alongside established icons in projects like Girls on Top. Her fierce look and charisma align well with aespa's concept, making her a standout performer. However, there is still room for growth, particularly in maintaining consistent facial expressions when the camera is not focused on her.

On February 27, 2024, Dispatch reported that Karina and actor Lee Jae-wook are currently dating after they met at a Prada fashion show in Milan on January 14. Both of their agencies confirmed that the two recently started dating.

On April 2, it was reported that the couple broke up due to malicious comments and feeling sorry for their fans. In response, both of their agencies confirmed that the couple broke up.

Karina's future in the entertainment industry appears bright and diverse. Her recent involvement in various projects suggests a growing interest in expanding her career beyond aespa. In May 2023, she took on the role of a special host for the May 13th episode of "Show! Music Core" alongside Lee Min-hyuk and Jungwoo. This experience in hosting could pave the way for more opportunities in television presenting.

Karina has also ventured into the world of acting and variety shows. She is set to appear in the Netflix unscripted show "Agents of Mystery," with filming beginning in January 2024 and the first episode scheduled for release on June 18.  Additionally, her participation in KBS 2TV's "싱크로유 (Synchro U)," a variety music program, alongside established entertainers like Yoo Jae-suk, demonstrates her growing presence in the Korean entertainment landscape.

As a member of aespa, Karina continues to push boundaries in the music industry. The group's unique concept, which bridges the virtual and real worlds, positions them at the forefront of innovation in K-pop. Karina and her groupmates aim to "normalize metaverse concepts and have our fans and other people be a little more comfortable with the whole idea of it," as stated by fellow member Giselle.

Karina's involvement in SM Entertainment's ambitious project, the SM Culture Universe, suggests a long-term commitment to expanding aespa's narrative and musical journey. This interconnected world, likened to Marvel or DC Comics, provides a platform for complex storytelling and character development, offering fans a deeper engagement with the group's content.

Beyond her career in entertainment, Karina has shown interest in personal growth and mindset development. Her participation in various podcasts, including "The Chip Race," "RecPoker," and "Chasing Poker Greatness," hints at a curiosity for exploring different fields and sharing her experiences. Karina has even launched her own show, "Mindset Design," where she interviews various personalities from the poker world, demonstrating her interest in understanding and discussing mental strategies and personal development.

Karina's approach to goal-setting aligns with the SMART framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound), which she believes can be a game-changer for personal and professional growth. This structured approach to setting and achieving goals could play a significant role in shaping her future aspirations and career trajectory.