Ningning

Ningning (born Ning Yizhuo on October 23, 2002, in Harbin, China) is the main vocalist of aespa, the acclaimed girl group formed by SM Entertainment. Debuting on November 17, 2020, alongside Karina, Winter, and Giselle with the single 'Black Mamba,' Ningning established herself as the group's vocal anchor, recognized for her powerful tone, impressive range, and composed stage presence. Born in Harbin's Heilongjiang province, Ningning studied at the Beijing Contemporary Music Academy before being scouted by SM following her appearance on the Chinese singing competition Let's Sing Kids. She was introduced as an SM Rookies trainee in September 2016 at the age of 13 and spent four years perfecting her craft before her group debut. Outside of aespa, Ningning has built an expansive solo profile in fashion and beauty. In February 2024, Italian luxury house Versace named her their global brand ambassador -- making her one of the most prominent K-pop idols in luxury fashion. She subsequently fronted the Kleio bag campaign and starred in the brand's holiday campaign later that year. In early 2025 she was appointed Maybelline New York's ambassador for North and Southeast Asia and tapped as a model for FILA's ABC Mart campaign. July 2025 saw her named global ambassador for Alo Yoga, while that October she became the South Korean and Japanese ambassador for Korean fashion label Matin Kim. In February 2026 she was announced as brand ambassador for Discovery Expedition. Ningning has spoken candidly about managing ADHD, noting that while she loves drawing and reading, maintaining focus remains a personal challenge. She is a devoted fan of Frank Ocean and has cited BLACKPINK's Jennie as a key inspiration in her career.