🏆 aespa has reached No. 3 in the K-pop Idol ranking for this year 2025.
Group Profile
- Group Name: aespa (에스파)
- Debut: Nov 17, 2020
- Current state: Active
- Years Active: 2020–present (5 years)
- Entertainment Company: SM Entertainment
- Fandom: MY (마이)
- Group Color: Aurora
- Members: Karina, Giselle, Winter, Ningning
- Oldest Member: Karina
- Youngest Member: Ningning
- Most Popular Member: Winter
- Notable Albums: Savage, Girls, My World, Armageddon
- Country: South Korea
- Generation: A 4th Generation K-pop group (Gen 4)
- Leader: Karina
aespa is a South Korean girl group formed by SM Entertainment, active in pop and K-pop music. The group debuted on November 17, 2020, with the single “Black Mamba.” Its four members—Karina, Giselle, Winter, and Ningning—come from different countries.
Meaning of Name
The name aespa combines the character “æ,” representing “Avatar X Experience,” with the English word “aspect,” meaning “two sides.” It reflects the concept of “meeting another self and experiencing a new world.” The group’s name is sometimes styled as æspa using the special character.
Fandom & Lightstick
aespa’s official fandom name is MY (마이), announced on their debut day, November 17, 2020. In the virtual world of KWANGYA, where the æ-aespa avatars exist, “MY” means “the most precious friend,” signifying how fans are the group’s dearest companions.
The official lightstick, named SBONG (스봉), was introduced by the members during the “Girls” comeback livestream on July 8, 2022. It features a white design with a clear globe at the top and the “aespa” logo inside. The lightstick uses the group’s official aurora gradient color and can be customized with emblems for each member: Karina (heart), Giselle (crescent moon), Winter (star), and Ningning (butterfly).
Popularity
aespa quickly rose to prominence across Asia, especially in China and South Korea, gaining a strong following among younger audiences. In China, the group ranks among the most popular K-pop girl groups with consistently positive fan response. Their album “My World” sold over 2 million copies and became their second top-ten release on the Billboard 200.
Globally, aespa expanded their reach through a world tour, performing at Tokyo Dome and major cities across North America and Europe. The single “Supernova” topped the Circle Digital Chart for 11 weeks and won Song of the Year at the MAMA Awards 2024. By 2024, their music videos had hundreds of millions of views on YouTube, and they had amassed millions of followers on social media.
aespa is known for pioneering the metaverse concept and hyperpop sound in K-pop. They created a unique universe with a complex storyline centered on the virtual world KWANGYA, where their avatars exist alongside the real members. This distinctive concept resonates strongly with younger audiences interested in technology and virtual worlds.
Awards
In 2021, aespa received a Daesang for Best Record of the Year and the Rookie Award at the Melon Music Awards. In 2022, they earned Rookie of the Year at the Korean Music Awards and Song of the Year for “Next Level.”
In 2024, the group won major honors including Artist of the Year (Daesang) at the Melon Music Awards and K-pop Artist of the Year at the Tencent Music Entertainment Awards. Their single “Supernova” also won Song of the Year at both the MAMA Awards and the Melon Music Awards 2024.
In 2025, aespa continued their success with New Artist of the Year – Asia and Best 3 New Artists – Asia at the Japan Gold Disc Awards. Their album “Armageddon” was recognized as K-pop Album of the Year at the Tencent Music Entertainment Awards 2024.
Style
aespa’s music blends hyperpop with EDM, hip-hop, and futuristic elements. They pioneered a metallic sound and metaverse-inspired concepts in K-pop, creating high-intensity tracks with powerful beats. Beginning with the album “My World,” aespa shifted toward a more “kitsch” and urban style, moving away from the darker cyberpunk aesthetic of their earlier releases.
Visually, the group embraces a futuristic, high-tech fashion style, often incorporating their signature aurora gradient colors. While many K-pop acts lean toward cute or teen-crush concepts, aespa maintains a distinctive sci-fi narrative and experimental music approach, emphasizing digital themes and interaction with a virtual universe that sets them apart from traditional K-pop groups.
aespa Members
Winter
- Full Name: Kim Min Jeong
- Native Name: 김민정
- Alias: baby rabbit, gyeoulie, mindungie
- Birthday: Jan 01, 2001 (24 years old)
- Blood type: A
- Height: 163 cm (5’4")
- Weight: 42 kg (92.6 lbs)
- Gender: Female
- Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
- MBTI: INFP
- Place of Birth: Busan, South Korea
- Country: South Korean
- Language Skills: Korean
- Position: Lead Vocalist, Lead Dancer
- Representative Animal: Siberian Husky 🐕
- Training period: 2016–2020 (4 Years)
Winter demonstrates versatile vocal abilities and participates in dance performances during group activities, with her performance style continuing to develop over time.
→ [Read more about Winter]
🏆 Karina has reached No. 44 in the K-pop Idol ranking for in December 2025.
Karina
- Full Name: Yu Ji-min
- Native Name: 카리나
- Alias: Karomi, Katarina Yu
- Birthday: Apr 11, 2000 (25 years old)
- Blood type: B
- Height: 168 cm (5'6")
- Weight: 46 kg (101.4 lbs)
- Gender: Female
- MBTI: ENFP (The Campaigner)
- Place of Birth: Ji-dong, Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
- Country: South Korean
- Language Skills: Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese
- Position: Leader, Main Dancer, Lead Rapper, Sub-Vocalist, Visual, Face of the Group, Center
- Representative Animal: Whale 🐋
- Training period: 2016–2020 (4 Years)
Karina trained for four years before her debut. She is fluent in three languages: Korean, English, and Japanese. She has a special interest in sneakers and often pairs them with dresses or jeans to create a look that is both sporty and feminine.
→ [Read more about Karina]
Giselle
- Full Name: Uchinaga Aeri
- Native Name: うちながえり (Japanese), 우치나가애리 (Korean)
- Alias: Riri, Aeri-chan
- Birthday: Oct 30, 2000 (25 years old)
- Blood type: O
- Height: 164 cm (5'4")
- Weight: N/A
- Gender: Female
- MBTI: INFJ (The Advocate)
- Place of Birth: Garosu-gil, Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
- Country: Japanese
- Language Skills: Korean, English, Japanese
- Position: Main Rapper, Sub Vocalist
- Representative Animal: Unicorn 🦄
- Training period: 2019–2020 (11 Months)
She possesses the ability to rap in three languages—Japanese, Korean, and English—with a warm, deep vocal tone that contrasts with the bright sounds typical in K-pop. The stage name "Giselle" originated from a company trainer who remarked that she resembled an elegant British girl.
→ [Read more about Giselle]
Ningning
- Full Name: Ning Yizhuo
- Native Name: 宁艺卓
- Alias: Vivian Ning, Jeo Ye-tak (저예탁)
- Birthday: Oct 23, 2002 (23 years old)
- Blood type: O
- Height: 161 cm (5’3″)
- Weight: 43 kg (94 lbs)
- Gender: Female
- MBTI: INFP
- Place of Birth: Harbin, China
- Country: Chinese
- Language Skills: Mandarin, Korean, English
- Fandom: NingMeng
- Position: Main Vocalist, Maknae
- Representative Animal: Tiger 🐯
- Training period: 2016–2020 (4-5 Years)
Among Gen Z idols, Ningning stands out for her powerful vocals and versatile stage presence, while serving as a cultural bridge between the K-pop and C-pop markets thanks to her fluency in both Mandarin and Korean. She is also known by her English name Vivian Ning and her Korean name Jeo Ye-tak (저예탁).
→ [Read more about Ningning]
