The Pulse of K-Entertainment

Karina
ArtistSM Entertainment

Karina

Karina (카리나), born Yu Ji-min (유지민), leads SM Entertainment's genre-defining girl group aespa as its center, main dancer, and visual. Before she even debuted, SM teased her for over a year as part of the label's AI-meets-reality concept, building anticipation that paid off when aespa launched in November 2020 with "Black Mamba." Her solo breakout arrived in October 2024 with "Up," which cracked the top 10 on the Circle Digital Chart and earned her first music show win as a soloist. She followed it with "Good Stuff" in November 2025, continuing to build a catalog outside the group. She also contributed the OST "Sad Waltz" for the Netflix series Song of the Bandits. Outside of aespa, Karina holds a spot in Got the Beat, SM's cross-generational supergroup featuring BoA, Taeyeon, Hyoyeon, Wendy, Seulgi, and Winter. On the brand side, she became the first Korean celebrity named a Nike Global Spokesperson and serves as a global ambassador for Prada. Her beauty portfolio spans Chanel Beauty, YSL Beauty, and Converse Korea.
8 articles11 creditsDebut: November 17, 2020South Korean

Gallery

Discography

2025
Good StuffSingle
Solo ArtistSM Entertainment
2024
UpSingle
Solo ArtistSM Entertainment
2023
Sad WaltzOST
Solo Artist

Filmography

2026
Agents of Mystery Season 2Variety Show
Cast MemberNetflix
2024
Agents of MysteryVariety Show
Cast MemberNetflix

Brand Partnerships

2026
Lotte Duty FreeEndorsement
Global Brand AmbassadorLotte Duty Free
2024
NikeEndorsement
Global Spokesperson
2024
PradaEndorsement
Global Ambassador
2024
Chanel BeautyEndorsement
Ambassador
2024
YSL BeautyEndorsement
Ambassador
2024
Converse KoreaEndorsement
Ambassador

Fans Also Ask

What is Karina's real name?
Yu Ji-min (유지민). She debuted with her stage name Karina as the leader of aespa under SM Entertainment in November 2020.
What position does Karina hold in aespa?
She is the leader, center, main dancer, sub-vocalist, and visual of aespa. She was introduced by SM Entertainment before the group's debut as part of their AI/metaverse concept.
Does Karina have solo music?
Yes. Her solo track "Up" from aespa's 2024 digital single Synk: Parallel Line became her first top 10 song on Korea's Circle Digital Chart. She followed it with "Good Stuff" in November 2025.
What brands does Karina endorse?
She is the first Korean celebrity named a Nike Global Spokesperson and serves as a global ambassador for Prada. Her beauty portfolio includes Chanel Beauty, YSL Beauty, and Converse Korea.
Is Karina in any supergroups?
Yes, she is a member of Got the Beat, SM Entertainment's cross-generational supergroup featuring BoA, Taeyeon, Hyoyeon, Wendy, Seulgi, and Winter.

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