ABOUT HER

KARINA, born Yu Jimin on April 11, 2000, is a South Korean singer, rapper, dancer, and leader of aespa under SM Entertainment. She made her debut with aespa on November 17, 2020, with the group’s debut single “Black Mamba.” Since then, Karina have grown into one of K-pop’s most prominent acts, building a distinctive identity through their music, performances, and futuristic visual world.

Known for her striking stage presence and versatility, Karina has established herself as a powerful performer across dance, rap, and vocals. Beyond aespa’s hits, she has showcased her individuality through solo music, most notably “UP,” which became a breakout favorite after first being performed during aespa’s SYNK : PARALLEL LINE tour. Karina also participated in writing the lyrics for the track, offering another glimpse into her creativity and identity as an artist.

Away from the intensity of the stage, Karina is loved by fans for a personality that often feels wonderfully at odds with her commanding image. She can be playful, affectionate, thoughtful, and unexpectedly goofy, while showing genuine care toward her members and fans. It is this contrast between the charismatic performer on stage and the warm, sometimes vulnerable person behind it that has made so many people connect with Karina beyond her music.