KARINA

💎 From SM’s next-gen ACE to global fashion icon – We’re completely DISSECTING the KARINA phenomenon

that’s taking over the world

aespa’s leader KARINA (real name Yu Ji-min) is currently at the ABSOLUTE CENTER of the hottest conversations in the

K-pop industry worldwide.

She’s transcended being just another 4th generation idol to become a GLOBAL TRENDSETTER and CULTURAL ICON

whose influence extends far beyond music into fashion, brands, and society as a whole.

But HOW did KARINA gain such MASSIVE impact in just 4 years since debut?

1. SM’s 4-Year MASTERPIECE – The Perfect All-Rounder Creation

1.1 Destined Superstar Even Before Debut

✅ Strategically Crafted Global Star

KARINA was born on April 11, 2000, in Suwon, and went through 4 years of BRUTAL trainee life to debut as

the perfectly prepared idol.

📌 Pre-Debut Major Activities:

• February 2019: Appeared in Taemin’s “Want” music video
• November 2020: Collaborated with EXO’s Kai for Hyundai virtual showcase
• Originally discovered as an ulzzang and scouted by SM casting manager

🔥 KARINA’s Positions in aespa:

• Leader, Main Dancer, Lead Rapper, Sub-Vocalist, Visual, Face of the Group, Center

“Having this many MAIN positions is extremely rare, showing SM planned KARINA as the absolute center of the group”

With her 167.8cm model-like height and black belt in taekwondo,

KARINA was the perfect package strategically prepared for global markets from day one.

1.2 GOT the beat Selection Proves Her INSANE Talent

✅ Joined Supergroup Just 1 Year After Debut

On December 27, 2021, KARINA was selected for GOT the beat, earning industry recognition.

📌 GOT the beat Member Lineup:

• BoA (SM’s legendary senior)
• Girls’ Generation’s Taeyeon, Hyoyeon
• Red Velvet’s Wendy, Seulgi
• aespa’s KARINA, Winter

🔥 SIGNIFICANCE: Being able to perform alongside SM’s legendary seniors just 1 year after debut is POWERFUL PROOF

that SM highly values her skills and potential.

2. aespa’s Revolutionary Concept That CONQUERED the World +
KARINA’s Magnetic Presence

2.1 Virtual Avatar æ-KARINA and Metaverse Domination

✅ K-pop’s FIRST Virtual Reality Fusion Group

aespa debuted with the revolutionary concept where each member has virtual avatars

(æ-KARINA, æ-Winter, æ-Giselle, æ-Ningning).

📌 Revolutionary Differentiation Elements:

• Storytelling crossing real and virtual worlds
• Multi-genre music fusing K-pop, EDM, and hyperpop
• Future-oriented concept perfect for the metaverse era

🔥 KARINA’s Core Role: She perfectly serves as the BRIDGE that makes the complex virtual reality concept

relatable through human charm, connecting with fans authentically.

2.2 Chart-DOMINATING Mega Hits

✅ Consecutive Global Chart Domination

From their debut song to now, aespa has recorded MEGA HITS with every single track, driving KARINA’s global stardom.

📌 Major Hit Song Achievements:

• “Black Mamba” (2020): Highest views for K-pop group debut MV (276 million views)
• “Next Level” (2021): Complete chart domination
• “Savage” (2021): Global chart #1
• “Supernova” (2024): Perfect all-kill, #1 in 11 countries on iTunes
• “Whiplash” (2024): #2 on Global K-pop Chart

🔥 2024 ‘Armageddon’ Album: Over 1.02 million pre-orders, Billboard 200 #25, achieved double platinum in

China within 3 hours!

3. Idol Brand Reputation #2 – Commercial Power That Even Beat

CHA EUN WOO

3.1 January 2025 Idol Brand Reputation #2 Achievement

✅ Overwhelming Public Influence Proven

In January 2025 Korea Corporate Reputation Research Institute analysis, KARINA ranked #2 in idol brand reputation, surpassing ASTRO’s Cha Eun Woo.

📌 Brand Reputation Ranking Significance:

• Comprehensive evaluation of public awareness and favorability, not just fandom popularity
• Objective indicators including media mentions, consumer interest, online discussion activity
• Commercial influence directly linked to brand advertising value

🔥 BEATING CHA EUN WOO’s Impact: Surpassing Cha Eun Woo, who dominated brand reputation rankings for years,

is a POWERFUL SIGNAL that KARINA’s commercial value has reached its PEAK.

3.2 PRADA Global Ambassador – Fashion World DOMINATION

✅ Icon Chosen FIRST by Luxury Fashion Brands

In August 2024, KARINA was selected as PRADA’s new global ambassador, solidifying her status in the fashion world.

📌 PRADA Ambassadorship Significance:

• Official recognition from world’s top luxury brand
• Established status as global fashion icon
• Recognition as Asia’s representative style leader

🔥 SYNERGY EFFECT: PRADA items worn by KARINA SELL OUT IMMEDIATELY,

proving her fashion influence directly translates to actual sales.

4. Stage Charisma and OVERWHELMING Performance Skills

4.1 6.4 Million View Individual Fancams and Viral Moments

✅ EXPLOSIVE Popularity Through Individual Charm Alone

KARINA’s individual fancams always record EXPLOSIVE view counts, proving her unique individual charm.

📌 Representative Viral Moments:

• Inkigayo “Illusion” fancam: 6.4 million views breakthrough
• “Whiplash” short curly hair styling: Online buzz explosion
• PERFECT live performances on various music shows

🔥 KARINA on Stage: With “stunning visuals” and “exceptional dance skills,” she captivates both fans and the general

public, perfectly executing various styles from intense performances to emotional ballads.

4.2 Live Skills Proven on Global Concert Stages

✅ Skills Recognized on Global Stages

At aespa’s 2023 London O2 Arena concert, The Clash Magazine praised their “perfect synergy” and “movie-quality”

performance.

📌 Global Concert Acclaim:

• 2023 Lotte Family Concert: “Beautiful voices” and “impressive live vocals”
• 2024 Singapore performance: “Energetic dance” and “performance that charmed audiences” (Straits Times)
• Perfect group synchronization and dynamic stage presence

🔥 Live Skills: Live vocal abilities that surpass studio recordings, showing her true artistry.

5. Mental QUEEN Idol Who Got STRONGER Through Controversies

5.1 Overcoming Lee Jae-wook Dating Scandal and Fandom Pressure

✅ Confident Attitude Toward Personal Life

On February 27, 2024, her relationship with actor Lee Jae-wook was officially confirmed, facing strong backlash from some fans.

📌 Core of Controversy:

• Some fans criticized “4th gen female idol dating too early after only 3 years of activity”
• Chinese fans’ truck protest in front of SM building
• Extreme reactions claiming she “betrayed fans”

🔥 KARINA’s Response: Through a handwritten apology letter on March 5, she apologized to fans, but later announced

a natural breakup after about 5 weeks, showing mature handling.

5.2 Political Controversy and Swift Crisis Management

✅ Professional Crisis Response Ability

On May 27, 2025, a photo posted on Instagram was interpreted politically, causing controversy, but she handled it swiftly.

📌 Background of Controversy:

• Photo wearing jacket with red patterns and number ‘2’
• Coincided with Korean election period, sparking political bias controversy
• Violation of K-pop idols’ “colorless, odorless” principle

🔥 TURNING CRISIS INTO OPPORTUNITY: Immediately after the controversy, swift comeback activities

(‘Dirty Work’ release, Waterbomb solo stage) showed professional crisis management ability by redirecting

public attention back to music.

6. Solo Activity Expansion and Personal Brand Building

6.1 Personal Territory Started with 2023 Solo Track “UP”

✅ Solo Branding Alongside Group Activities

KARINA showcased her potential as an individual artist by releasing solo track “UP” in 2023.

📌 Solo Activity Significance:

• Building personal identity differentiated from aespa group activities
• SM’s strategic individual member development project
• Opportunity to experiment with various music styles and concepts

🔥 2025 Waterbomb Festival: Through her first solo stage on July 5, performing alongside top-tier artists like

Jay Park and Jeon Somi, she’s expanding her position as a solo artist.

6.2 SNS Influence and Personal Brand Power

✅ Direct Fan Communication Through Social Media

KARINA maintains close relationships with fans by sharing daily life and behind-the-scenes stories through Instagram.

📌 SNS Activity Characteristics:

• Pictorial-style posts showcasing sophisticated fashion sense
• Image creation that’s both casual and glamorous
• Building friendly image through fan communication

🔥 June 2025: Her appearance at her sister’s wedding and pictorial posts created buzz as the “guest who stole the

wedding atmosphere,” showing overwhelming presence where even personal moments become topics.

7. Second Half of 2025 – KARINA’s Global Conquest Roadmap

7.1 aespa’s ‘Dirty Work’ and Western Market Attack

✅ Global Expansion Through English Version and Western Rapper Collaboration

‘Dirty Work’ scheduled for release on June 27, 2025, is aespa’s most aggressive overseas expansion attempt.

📌 ‘Dirty Work’ Composition:

• Main title track
• Flo Milli (American rapper) featuring version
• English version
• Instrumental version

🔥 Strategic Significance: Through English version and Western artist collaboration, SM’s global strategy targeting

mainstream market entry beyond existing K-pop fandom is in full swing.

7.2 Personal Brand Value Maximization Outlook

✅ Evolution into Comprehensive Entertainer Beyond Music

KARINA’s future is expected to develop into a global cultural icon beyond simple K-pop idol.

📌 Expandable Areas:

• Additional luxury brand ambassadorships beyond PRADA
• Possibility of personal solo album release
• Entry into acting fields like movies and dramas
• Attendance at global fashion weeks and award ceremonies

🔥 Long-term Vision: Simultaneously pursuing aespa’s success and personal brand building, she’s expected to

establish herself as a global star representing Asia.

💎 Conclusion: The New Standard for 4th Generation Idols That KARINA Showed Us

KARINA has become a global cultural phenomenon beyond being just a K-pop idol.

Perfect skills prepared under SM’s strategic planning, ability to embody aespa’s innovative concept, and mental

strength that matured through overcoming various controversies – she’s presenting

new standards for 4th generation idols.

The whole world is watching what new history KARINA will write through aespa’s global activity expansion and

personal brand building.

[BLACKPINK’s JENNI]

📱 Want More Information?

• aespa Official YouTube: @aespa
• KARINA Personal Instagram: @katarinabluu
• SM Entertainment: @smtown

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Waterbomb Festival, K-pop 4th generation, metaverse idol, KARINA controversy, SM Entertainment strategy