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Karina (카리나), born Yu Ji-min (유지민) on April 11, 2000, in Suwon-si, South Korea, is a prominent South Korean singer, rapper, and dancer. Widely recognized as the charismatic leader and visual of the K-pop girl group aespa under SM Entertainment, Karina also showcases her talents as a rapper and vocalist in the female supergroup unit GOT the beat. Raised in Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, she began her journey in the entertainment industry after being scouted through Instagram and officially became a trainee at SM Entertainment in 2016. Her pre-debut appearance in Taemin’s “Want” music video in 2019, as well as her participation in a virtual showcase with EXO’s Kai, marked the beginning of a promising career.
Karina was officially introduced as the second member of aespa on October 27, 2020. Her stage name, chosen for its elegant meaning in Italian, reflects the graceful yet powerful aura she brings to the stage. As the tallest member of both aespa and GOT the beat, she quickly stood out not only for her striking visuals but also for her dynamic performances and fashion-forward presence. She made her solo debut on October 9, 2024, with the single « Up », further establishing her versatility as an artist.
Beyond music, Karina has become a sought-after figure in the fashion world, notably serving as a brand ambassador for Givenchy, the first French luxury brand to select a K-pop group as its muse. Academically, she attended Seongnam Shingi Elementary School, Jeongja Middle School, and Hansol High School, and pursued extracurricular interests including piano and taekwondo, in which she holds a black belt. Known for her reserved yet thoughtful personality, Karina captivates fans with her humility, charm, and dedication to her craft.
Table of Contents
Early Life
Karina, born Yu Ji-min on April 11, 2000, in Suwon-si, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, was raised in a loving and supportive family alongside her parents and older sister, who was born in 1995. Both her mother and sister worked as nurses, which instilled in Karina a deep respect for compassion and dedication from an early age. Though officially born in Suwon, Karina spent most of her childhood and adolescence in Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, a district known for its strong emphasis on education and culture.
Karina’s early academic journey began at Seongnam Shingi Elementary School, followed by Jeongja Middle School, where she began to show signs of her artistic inclinations. She later enrolled at Hansol High School in Bundang, where she actively participated in the school’s dance club. Her passion for performance and dance was evident even then, and she often took part in school festivals, covering iconic K-pop hits such as BLACKPINK’s “Boombayah” and HyunA’s “Bubble Pop.” She also studied piano at a local academy, where she won a prize for her performance, further showcasing her versatility in the arts. Outside of music, Karina earned a black belt in taekwondo and demonstrated unique physical agility, often impressing others with her ability to catch objects using her feet.
From a young age, Karina dreamed of becoming a singer. She recalls being inspired after watching Girls’ Generation’s powerful choreography when she was in first grade in 2007, which planted the seed of ambition that would later define her career. As she entered her teenage years, she gained a modest following on social media and became known for her visuals and charm, which eventually caught the attention of talent scouts.
In her first year of high school, Karina received a direct message on Instagram from a casting manager at SM Entertainment. Although the initial offer fell through due to the scout leaving the company, a second SM representative reached out not long after. This led to a successful audition and a camera test, and Karina officially became a trainee under SM Entertainment in 2016 at the age of 16. Committed to her dream, she made the difficult decision to leave high school before entering her second year to focus entirely on her training. She later completed her secondary education by obtaining a GED-equivalent certification.
Karina was raised in the Catholic faith and has spoken publicly about her baptismal name, Katarina, which later became the inspiration for her stage name. Her religious beliefs continue to be a quiet source of strength for her, and she is known to wear her rosary ring during important moments and performances.
From a passionate young girl inspired by K-pop icons to a determined trainee with unwavering discipline, Karina’s early life reflects a balance of academic pursuit, artistic exploration, and relentless ambition a foundation that would eventually lead her to global stardom.
Career Path
Karina’s official debut in the K-pop industry was marked on October 27, 2020, when SM Entertainment introduced her as the second revealed member of its new girl group, aespa. Less than a month later, on November 17, she debuted as the group’s leader, main dancer, rapper, and visual with the release of their first digital single, Black Mamba. The track quickly gained global attention, establishing aespa as one of the most promising fourth-generation K-pop acts and positioning Karina as a standout figure with powerful stage presence and captivating charisma.
Following the success of aespa’s debut, Karina began to broaden her horizons within and beyond the group. In December 2021, she was announced as a member of GOT the beat, a project-based supergroup under SM Entertainment’s Girls On Top initiative. The group features a lineup of some of SM’s most iconic female artists, including BoA, Taeyeon and Hyoyeon of Girls’ Generation, Seulgi and Wendy of Red Velvet, and her fellow aespa member Winter. Karina officially debuted with GOT the beat on January 3, 2022, through the release of the digital single Step Back, which showcased her versatility as both a rapper and vocalist alongside industry veterans.
In addition to her music career, Karina began to take on hosting and television roles. Between October and December 2021, she co-hosted Travel Diary Soul: Seoul alongside actor David Lee McInnis. The travel documentary, produced in collaboration with the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the History Channel, aired in 19 countries and reached over 39 million households, further enhancing her reputation as a cultural ambassador for South Korea.
Her prominence continued to grow in 2023. On May 13, she served as a special MC for MBC’s music program Show! Music Core, appearing alongside Lee Min-hyuk and Jungwoo. Later that year, on September 22, she released her first original soundtrack, Sad Waltz, for the Netflix original drama Song of the Bandits, marking her official entry into solo musical ventures. She was also cast in Netflix’s unscripted mystery variety show Agents of Mystery, which premiered on June 18, 2024, following filming that began in early 2024.
Karina’s participation in variety and entertainment programs expanded in 2024. In May, she joined the cast of KBS’s music variety show Synchro U, where her performance and charm earned her the Rookie Award in the Show and Variety category at the 2024 KBS Entertainment Awards. Around the same time, she was invited to serve as a special DJ on MBC FM4U’s radio show Lee Seok-hoon’s Brunch Café, showcasing her warm and engaging voice across two broadcast days.
On August 8, 2024, Karina was confirmed to appear in Mnet’s original series MY ARTi FILM, reflecting the continued demand for her presence in both music and visual media. One of the most significant milestones in her career came on October 9, 2024, when she participated in writing and performing her first solo song Up, released as part of aespa’s album SYNK: PARALLEL LINE. The track was simultaneously added to her official solo artist profile on Spotify, signaling the beginning of her individual music catalog beyond the group’s collective work.
In 2025, Karina further demonstrated her artistic growth through a special collaboration with the indie rock band Jannabi. She was featured on the single May the Tenderness Be with You! released on April 28 as the title track of the band’s fourth studio album Sound of Music Pt. 1. Her contribution was praised for its emotional depth and musical maturity, highlighting her ability to adapt across genres.
Since her debut, Karina has evolved from a rising idol into a multifaceted artist with a strong presence in music, television, and fashion. Her career trajectory reflects not only her innate talent and tireless dedication but also her readiness to embrace new challenges and continually redefine her artistic identity.
Recent Achievements and Ongoing Projects
Karina began her professional music career when SM Entertainment officially introduced her as the second member of its new girl group aespa on October 27, 2020. Less than a month later, she made her debut as the group’s leader, main dancer, lead rapper, and visual with the release of their digital single Black Mamba on November 17. The song’s immediate commercial success, combined with the group’s futuristic AI concept, propelled aespa into the global spotlight and positioned Karina as a standout rookie in the fourth generation of K-pop.
Her stage presence and versatility were further highlighted in December 2021, when SM Entertainment announced her inclusion in Got the Beat, a rotational supergroup under the Girls On Top project. The group brought together powerhouse female artists from across SM’s roster, including BoA, Taeyeon and Hyoyeon of Girls’ Generation, Seulgi and Wendy of Red Velvet, and her fellow aespa member Winter. Karina officially debuted with the group on January 3, 2022, with the high-energy digital single Step Back, showcasing her dynamic performance skills alongside some of the industry’s most seasoned idols.
Beyond music, Karina quickly began expanding her presence in the entertainment industry. From October to mid-December 2021, she co-hosted the travel-themed show Travel Diary Soul: Seoul with actor David Lee McInnis. A joint production between the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the History Channel, the four-episode program highlighted iconic tourist destinations in Seoul and was broadcast to 39.5 million households across 19 countries, establishing her as a cultural ambassador and engaging on-screen personality.
Her visibility continued to grow throughout 2023. On May 13, Karina appeared as a special host on MBC’s Show! Music Core, joining Lee Min-hyuk and Jungwoo. Later that year, on September 22, she released her first original soundtrack, Sad Waltz, for the Netflix action-drama series Song of the Bandits. The release marked her first official solo music project, allowing her to explore a more emotional and cinematic vocal style.
In addition to her musical achievements, Karina continued to diversify her entertainment portfolio. On November 30, 2023, she was announced as part of the cast of the Netflix variety show Agents of Mystery, an unscripted adventure program blending humor and puzzle-solving. Filming began in January 2024, and the series premiered globally on June 18 to favorable anticipation from fans and viewers alike.
In 2024, Karina made further strides in variety and broadcasting. In May, she became a cast member of KBS’s music variety program Synchro U, where her lively presence and charm earned her the Rookie Award in the Show and Variety Category at the 2024 KBS Entertainment Awards. Around the same time, she served as a special radio DJ for Lee Seok-hoon’s Brunch Café on MBC FM4U, hosting the program on April 18 and 19 and receiving praise for her soft-spoken yet articulate broadcasting style.
Her growing media presence was affirmed once again on August 8, 2024, when she was confirmed as a cast member in the Mnet creative arts series MY ARTi FILM, further reflecting her versatility and growing reputation as an all-rounded entertainer.
In the same year, Karina reached a new milestone in her musical journey. On October 9, 2024, she co-wrote and performed her first original solo track Up, released as part of aespa’s album SYNK: PARALLEL LINE. The song showcased her lyrical sensitivity and vocal identity, and it was added to her individual artist profile on Spotify, marking her transition into recognized solo artistry within and beyond the group framework.
Continuing her solo ventures, Karina collaborated with indie rock band Jannabi in 2025. On April 21, it was announced that she would feature on the band’s title track May the Tenderness Be with You! from their fourth studio album Sound of Music Pt. 1. Released on April 28, the track received acclaim for its heartfelt tone and Karina’s emotional vocal contribution, revealing yet another layer of her artistic depth.
From her powerful debut with aespa to her evolution as a solo artist and media personality, Karina has continuously demonstrated artistic growth, discipline, and charisma. Whether on stage, screen, or radio, she remains a prominent and evolving force in the Korean entertainment industry, admired for her ability to blend performance excellence with an ever-expanding creative range.
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