Karina (South Korean singer)

Yu Ji-min (born April 11, 2000), known professionally as Karina, is a South Korean singer, rapper and dancer.

During her time as a trainee, Karina appeared in labelmate Taemin's music video for the song "Want" in February 2019, and performed with him on several music programs in the following weeks.

Karina also appeared alongside labelmate Kai for Hyundai and SM's virtual showcase, The All-New Tucson, Beyond DRIVE.

She is the leader of the South Korean girl group Aespa, formed by SM Entertainment in November 2020.

She is also a member of the supergroup Got the Beat, which debuted on January 3, 2022.

Karina was born and raised in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, to a family consisting of her parents and an older sister.

She attended Hansol High School until she was discovered by an SM talent scout through social media.

She then dropped out to focus on training and later obtained a GED certificate.

Karina was first scouted by an SM Entertainment representative through social media and trained for 4 years before her debut.

On October 27, 2020, SM revealed Karina as the second member of Aespa.

She debuted as the leader of the group on November 17, 2020, with the digital single "Black Mamba".

On December 17, 2021, she was announced to be a member SM's supergroup Got the Beat alongside bandmate Winter and other female labelmates such as BoA, Girls' Generation's Taeyeon and Hyoyeon, and Red Velvet members Seulgi and Wendy.

On September 22, 2023, Karina released the single "Sad Waltz" for the Netflix TV series Song of the Bandits.

On November 30, it was announced that Karina will take part in the Netflix unscripted show Agents of Mystery which is scheduled to air in 2024.

Karina is a Catholic and stated that her baptismal name is Katarina, which is the inspiration for her stage name.

On February 27, 2024, Dispatch reported that Karina and actor Lee Jae-wook are dating.

Both of their agencies confirmed the rumours.

The two became closer after attending the Prada show at Milan Fashion Week in January 2024.

Karina was introduced by SM as a member with multiple talents from dance, vocal and rap ahead of her debut.

The magazine Paper praised Karina for being a "dynamic dancer, an attentive leader, and a sultry rapper to her group".

In 2021, Karina topped South Korean's brand reputation for K-pop artists and influencers for two consecutive months.

She also topped Star News' female idol category for 8 weeks.

In the Korean Business Research Institute's monthly "Individual Girl Group Members Brand Power Ranking", Karina placed first in both the June and July issue and fourth on the October issue.

She was also featured on Seoul Metropolitan Government's "Tour Promotion Program" that "helps tourists to appreciate the panoramic view of the entire city and the historic Fortress Wall of Seoul as well as pottery making in Mullae-dong".

In April 2022, Karina was selected as a goodwill ambassador for Maeil Business Newspaper's "Clean Campaign".

In November 2023, Lotte Chilsung appointed Karina as the official spokesperson for their "Kloud Krush" alcohol beverage.

In December, Vogue Korea announced Karina as the new face of YSL Beauty's "Rouge Pur Couture" lipstick line.

In January 2024, Converse Korea appointed Karina as their new ambassador.

All song credits are adapted from the Korea Music Copyright Association's database unless stated otherwise.