Biography

Karina

카리나 / Yu Ji-min

Karina (born Yu Ji-min) is a South Korean singer, rapper and dancer, best known as the leader of the girl group aespa under SM Entertainment. She is also a member of the SM supergroup GOT the beat and has released solo tracks including "Up" (2024), which earned her first solo music show win.

  • Singer
  • Rapper
  • Dancer

Profile

Karina is a South Korean singer, rapper and dancer, and the leader of the SM Entertainment girl group aespa, with whom she debuted in November 2020. Discovered by SM through social media, she trained for about four years and first appeared publicly as a dancer in Taemin’s “Want” music video in 2019.

Beyond aespa she performs in the SM supergroup GOT the beat, released the solo tracks “Up” (2024) and “Good Stuff” (2025), sang the Song of the Bandits OST “Sad Waltz”, and appears on variety shows such as Netflix’s Agents of Mystery.

Facts

  • Her stage name Karina comes from her Catholic baptismal name, Katarina — also the origin of her Instagram handle @katarinabluu. Wikipedia EN
  • She was discovered by SM Entertainment through social media and trained for about four years, making a pre-debut appearance in Taemin's "Want" music video in February 2019. Wikipedia EN
  • In line with aespa's metaverse concept, she debuted alongside a virtual avatar counterpart, æ-Karina, who exists in the group's fictional world Kwangya. Wikipedia EN — aespa
  • Her 2024 solo track "Up" (from aespa's SYNK : PARALLEL LINE digital single) reached the top ten of the Circle Digital Chart and brought her first solo music show award. Wikipedia EN

Works

Want (Taemin) Featured dancer
2019 / Music video
Step Back (GOT the beat) Member
2022 / Other
Sad Waltz Solo OST
2023 / Other
Agents of Mystery Cast member
2024 / Reality show
Up Solo single
2024 / Other
Good Stuff Solo single
2025 / Other

Awards

KBS Entertainment Awards Rookie Award (Show and Variety)
2024 / KBS

FAQ

Is Karina the leader of aespa?
Yes. Karina is the leader of aespa, as well as one of the group's main dancers, a rapper and a vocalist.
What is Karina's real name?
Her birth name is Yu Ji-min (유지민). Her stage name comes from her Catholic baptismal name, Katarina.
Does Karina have solo songs?
Yes. She released the solo tracks "Up" (2024, SYNK : PARALLEL LINE) and "Good Stuff" (2025, SYNK : AEXIS LINE), and sang "Sad Waltz" for the Song of the Bandits OST (2023).

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