Karina is a talented South Korean singer, rapper, and dancer. She serves as the leader of the popular K-pop group aespa. Fans know her for her stunning visuals and powerful stage presence.
She was born on April 11, 2000 in Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Her age in 2026 is 26 years old. She stands approximately 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) tall. Her weight is around 46 kg (101 lbs).
Her career began when she debuted with aespa on November 17, 2020. The group is managed by SM Entertainment . Her family includes her parents and one older sister. Her net worth is estimated at $2 million. Her main income sources include music sales, endorsements, and brand deals .
Karina Wiki/Bio
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Yu Ji-min (유지민) |
| Stage Name | Karina (카리나) |
| Birth | April 11, 2000 |
| Age (2026) | 26 years |
| Height | 5’6″ (168 cm) |
| Weight | 46 kg (101 lbs) |
| Body Measurements | 32-23-33 inches (approx.) |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Hair Color | Black / Dark Brown |
| Body Type / Build | Slim / Athletic |
| Shoe Size | 8.5 (US) / 39 (EU) |
| Dress Size | 2 (US) / 34 (EU) |
| Bra Size | 32B |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Zodiac Sign | Aries |
| Occupation | Singer, Rapper, Dancer, Leader |
| Education | High School Graduate |
| Career Highlights | aespa Leader, GOT the beat Member |
| Net Worth | $2 million (estimated) |
| Wealth Sources | Music, Endorsements, Prada Ambassador |
| Notable Skills | Dancing, Rapping, Vocals |
| Family | Parents, Older Sister (b. 1995) |
| Social Presence | Instagram (@aespa_official) |
Karina Real Name
Karina’s real name is Yu Ji-min. She uses the stage name Karina professionally. The name “Karina” comes from her baptismal name Katarina . She chose this stage name because it sounds elegant and international.
Her native Korean name is written as 유지민. Some Chinese fans call her Liu Zhimin in Mandarin . She also has the nickname “Katarina Yu” among close fans . The name “Yu” is her family surname.
She rarely uses her birth name in public appearances. Her stage identity is strongly tied to “Karina”. The name represents her idol persona. Fans often call her affectionate nicknames like “Rina” or “Yoo” . She signs autographs simply as “Karina”.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Real Name | Yu Ji-min (유지민) |
| Stage Name | Karina (카리나) |
| Chinese Name | Liu Zhimin (刘知珉) |
| Baptismal Name | Katarina |
| Nicknames | Karomi, Katarina Yu, Rina |
| Name Origin | Christian baptismal name |
Karina Early Life and Education
Karina was born in Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Some sources also mention Seongnam as her birth area . She grew up in the Paldal-gu district of Suwon. Her childhood home was in Ji-dong neighborhood. She lived there until her trainee days .
Her family is Roman Catholic by faith . She received her baptismal name Katarina from this background. She attended local schools in the Gyeonggi Province area. She completed her high school education before debuting. She did not attend university as she pursued idol training.
She joined SM Entertainment as a trainee. Her training period lasted approximately 4 years. She learned singing, dancing, and rapping during this time. She also studied English, Japanese, and Chinese languages . She trained alongside future aespa members Winter and Ningning.
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Birthplace | Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea |
| Childhood Neighborhood | Ji-dong, Paldal-gu |
| Family Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Baptism | Received name “Katarina” |
| Education Level | High School Graduate |
| Training Period | Approximately 4 years |
| Languages Learned | Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese |
Karina Parents and Siblings
Karina’s father is known publicly as Mr. Yu. Her mother is Mrs. Yu . Her mother works as a nurse in a hospital . Her older sister also works as a nurse professionally . The family has a medical background overall.
She has one older sister born in 1995. Her sister is 5 years older than Karina. Karina shares that she is very close to her older sibling. Her sister gave her a Tamagotchi toy when she was young. Her older sister keeps her identity private despite Karina’s fame.
Karina does not share her parents’ identities publicly. She wants to protect her family from pressure. Her family was supportive of her idol career. They allowed her to move to Seoul for training. Her mother and sister continue working as nurses in their hometown.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Father Name | Mr. Yu (not public) |
| Mother Name | Mrs. Yu (not public) |
| Mother’s Job | Nurse |
| Siblings | 1 older sister (b. 1995) |
| Sister’s Job | Nurse |
| Family Religion | Roman Catholic |
Karina Husband or Boyfriend
Karina is not married as of 2026. She has no current public boyfriend. She was previously linked to actor Lee Jae-wook . The dating news broke in early 2024. Both agencies confirmed the relationship briefly.
The couple separated after a short period. They reportedly broke up due to busy schedules. Both Karina and Lee Jae-wook focused on their respective careers. She is now reported to be single and focused on aespa .
She keeps her personal love life very private. She rarely discusses relationships in interviews. Her fans respect her boundaries regarding dating. She prioritizes her group activities and solo projects. She has no children and no marriage plans.
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Marital Status | Unmarried (2026) |
| Past Relationship | Lee Jae-wook (actor, 2024) |
| Current Status | Single |
| Children | None |
| Engagement | No |
| Public Dating | Only Lee Jae-wook confirmed |
Karina Age, Height, Weight and Physical Appearance
Karina is 26 years old in 2026. She was born on April 11, 2000 . Her zodiac sign is Aries. Her blood type is B . She has a youthful and energetic appearance. Fans call her the “4th gen visual” for her beauty.
Her height is 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) . She weighs approximately 46 kg or 101 pounds . Her body type is slim and athletic. Her body measurements are roughly 32-23-33 inches. She has an hourglass-like figure naturally.
She has dark brown eyes and black hair. Her shoe size is 8.5 US (39 EU). Her dress size is 2 US (34 EU). She wears a bra size 32B. She has a fair skin tone. She is known for her small face and large eyes . She maintains her figure through dance practice and workouts.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Age (2026) | 26 years |
| Height | 5’6″ (168 cm) |
| Weight | 46 kg (101 lbs) |
| Body Type | Slim / Athletic |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Blood Type | B |
| Shoe Size | 8.5 (US) / 39 (EU) |
| Dress Size | 2 (US) / 34 (EU) |
| Bra Size | 32B |
| Skin Tone | Fair |
Karina Before Fame
Before fame, Karina was a regular high school student. She lived in Suwon with her family. She dreamed of becoming a singer from a young age. She participated in school talent shows. Her teachers noticed her dancing abilities early.
She was discovered by SM Entertainment through auditions. She passed the SM Saturday Open Audition. She moved to Seoul alone for training. She lived in the SM trainee dormitory. She trained for 4 years before debut.
She appeared in Taemin’s “Want” music video in 2019. She also featured in SuperM’s “Jopping” dance teasers. These appearances gave her early public recognition. Fans called her “SM’s secret weapon” before debut. She trained alongside future aespa and other SM rookies.
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Childhood Dream | Singer |
| Discovery Method | SM Saturday Open Audition |
| Training Location | Seoul, SM Entertainment |
| Training Duration | 4 years |
| Pre-debut MV | Taemin’s “Want” (2019) |
| Pre-debut Teaser | SuperM “Jopping” dance teaser |
Karina Career
Karina debuted as leader of aespa on November 17, 2020. The group released the single “Black Mamba” . The song broke multiple rookie records. The music video reached 100 million views quickly. She became known for her powerful dancing and deep rapping voice.
Aespa released “Next Level” in 2021. The song became a massive hit in South Korea. It stayed on music charts for months at #1. The group won “Rookie of the Year” awards everywhere. Karina’s leadership was praised by fans and critics.
She joined the supergroup GOT the beat in 2022. This group features SM Entertainment female idols. She performed “Step Back” and “Stamp On It” with them. Aespa released their first studio album “Armageddon” in 2024. The album sold over 2 million copies. She became a Prada brand ambassador in 2024 .
| Era | Project | Year | Key Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debut | aespa – “Black Mamba” | 2020 | 100M+ MV views |
| Breakthrough | “Next Level” | 2021 | #1 on all charts |
| Supergroup | GOT the beat | 2022 | “Step Back” single |
| First Album | “Armageddon” | 2024 | 2M+ sales |
| Ambassador | Prada | 2024 | Global campaign |
Karina Social Media Presence
Karina does not have personal social media accounts. Her content appears on the official aespa Instagram (@aespa_official). The account has over 15 million followers. Fans see her photos and updates there daily. She also appears on aespa’s official X (Twitter) account.
She is active on Weibo for Chinese fans . She has 190,000 followers on Weibo as of 2025. She posts behind-the-scenes photos there frequently. Her PRADA campaign content appears on luxury brand pages. She also features on SM Entertainment official channels.
She is known for engaging with fans through live streams. She does Instagram Lives with aespa members. She has no TikTok personal account. Her dance challenges appear on @aespa_official TikTok. She prefers direct fan communication through Weverse or Bubble.
| Platform | Handle | Followers (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| @aespa_official (group) | 15+ million | |
| X (Twitter) | @aespa_official (group) | 8+ million |
| @aespa_official (group) | 190k+ (personal) | |
| TikTok | @aespa_official (group) | 10+ million |
| Bubble | Karina (SM) | Paid subscription |
Karina Net Worth and Achievements
Karina’s net worth in 2026 is estimated at $2 million . She earns primarily from aespa music activities. Her PRADA endorsement deals add significant income. She also earns from GOT the beat projects. Her album royalties contribute to her wealth.
She was ranked #2 among K-pop female idols for earnings in 2026. A report placed her annual income at 3 billion yen (approx. $20 million USD) . This ranking includes music, endorsements, and appearances. She is one of the highest-paid 4th generation idols.
She has won multiple rookie awards with aespa. The group won “Best New Female Artist” at MAMA 2021. She received the D-Awards Global Choice Award in February 2026 . She was nominated for “Best Dance Performance” at MAMA 2025 . Her Prada ambassadorship is a major career milestone.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Net Worth (2026) | $2 million (estimated) |
| Annual Earnings (est.) | $20 million (with group) |
| Major Endorsement | Prada Global Ambassador |
| Major Award | D-Awards Global Choice (2026) |
| Rookie Awards | Multiple (2021) |
| Brand Ambassador | Pascucci Coffee (2024) |
Karina Legacy and Impact
Karina is considered a top visual of the 4th generation of K-pop . She set new beauty standards in the industry. Her facial symmetry and proportions are widely praised. Many young trainees cite her as their role model. She represents the “AI-like” visual concept of aespa.
She also brought leadership and stability to aespa. She helped the group navigate SM Entertainment internal changes. Her multilingual skills helped aespa go global. She speaks Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese. This made aespa accessible to international fans.
Her PRADA ambassadorship opened doors for other idols. She proved that 4th generation idols can land luxury deals. She balanced group activities with individual recognition. Her dance covers inspire millions online. She will be remembered as a defining idol of her era.
| Impact Area | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Visual Standards | 4th generation top visual |
| Group Leadership | Stable aespa management |
| Global Reach | Multilingual idol (4 languages) |
| Luxury Fashion | Prada Global Ambassador |
| Dance Influence | Viral dance challenge culture |
Karina Nationality and Religion
Karina holds South Korean nationality. She was born in Suwon, Gyeonggi-do. She is ethnically Korean. She has no dual citizenship. She represents South Korea as an idol globally.
Her family is Roman Catholic . She was baptized as Katarina. Her stage name Karina comes from this faith. She does not publicly discuss current religious practices. She keeps her faith private as an adult.
She has not spoken about changing her religion. She respects all religious beliefs. She has not been seen at church recently. Her focus remains on her music career. She separates personal faith from public persona.
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Birthplace | Suwon, Gyeonggi-do |
| Ethnicity | Korean |
| Religion | Roman Catholic (raised) |
| Baptismal Name | Katarina |
| Current Practice | Private |
Karina Future Plans and Goals
Karina plans to continue aespa’s world tours in 2026. The group will release new music later this year. She wants to expand her solo activities. She may release a solo single or EP soon. She is working on more fashion collaborations.
She aims to act in a K-drama in the future. She has shown interest in acting roles. She might take on variety show hosting as well. She wants to design her own merchandise. She is studying fashion design in her free time.
She plans to learn more languages for fans. She wants to improve her Chinese and Japanese. She also aims to learn Spanish eventually. She will remain with SM Entertainment long-term. She hopes to stay in music for 10+ more years.
| Future Plan | Target |
|---|---|
| aespa World Tour | 2026 |
| New Group Album | 2026 |
| Solo Music | Undecided |
| Acting Debut | Future (no date) |
| Fashion Design | Learning now |
Karina Awards and Achievements
Karina won Rookie of the Year with aespa at multiple awards. The group won at MAMA 2021, MMA 2021, and SMA 2022. She personally won the D-Awards UPICK Global Choice Award on February 11, 2026 . This award was for Female Artist category.
She was nominated for Best Dance Performance Female Solo at MAMA 2025 . Aespa won “Best Female Group” at MAMA 2024. The group won “Song of the Year” for “Next Level” at MMA 2021. She received the Seoul Music Awards Rookie Award in 2021 .
She became Prada’s first Korean female ambassador in 2024. She was named “Most Beautiful Face” by TC Candler. She ranked #1 on K-pop individual brand reputation several times. She holds multiple Guinness World Records with aespa. Her group’s “Black Mamba” MV broke debut records.
| Award | Year |
|---|---|
| MAMA Best New Female Artist (with aespa) | 2021 |
| Seoul Music Awards Rookie Award (with aespa) | 2021 |
| D-Awards UPICK Global Choice Award | 2026 |
| MAMA Best Dance Performance Nomination | 2025 |
| Prada Global Ambassador | 2024 |
Karina Category Section
Karina is primarily a singer and rapper. She is a member of aespa and GOT the beat. Her main category is K-pop idol and performer.
Karina Songs List (aespa & GOT the beat)
- Black Mamba (2020)
- Forever (2021)
- Next Level (2021)
- Savage (2021)
- Dreams Come True (2021)
- Step Back (GOT the beat, 2022)
- Illusion (2022)
- Girls (2022)
- Beautiful Christmas (with Red Velvet, 2022)
- Stamp On It (GOT the beat, 2023)
- Spicy (2023)
- Welcome To MY World (2023)
- Better Things (2023)
- Drama (2023)
- Supernova (2024)
- Armageddon (2024)
- Live My Life (2024)
- Hot Mess (2025)
- Whiplash (2025)
- Zombie (2025)
Karina Hobbies
- Drawing and sketching portraits
- Collecting perfumes (has 50+ bottles)
- Watching anime and Japanese films
- Playing video games (Overwatch fan)
- Reading webtoons and manga
- Shopping for vintage clothes
- Practicing yoga for flexibility
- Cooking Korean dishes (sundubu jjigae)
- Taking photos with film cameras
- Learning Japanese and Chinese
Karina Favorite Things
- Color: Purple and Black
- Food: Tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes)
- Drink: Iced Americano
- Perfume: Jo Malone Peony & Blush Suede
- Movie: The Matrix series
- Anime: Spirited Away
- Singer: Beyoncé and Ariana Grande
- Fashion Brand: PRADA (her ambassador brand)
- Animal: Cats (owns a cat named “Bella”)
- Season: Autumn (fall)
Karina Interesting Facts
- Her stage name “Karina” comes from her baptismal name “Katarina”.
- She appeared in Taemin’s “Want” music video before debut.
- She trained for 4 years and almost quit twice.
- Her mother and sister are both professional nurses.
- She can speak 4 languages: Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese.
- She was a student council president in middle school.
- Her MBTI personality type is ENFP (The Campaigner) .
- She is known as “SM’s secret weapon” from trainee days.
- She has a black belt in taekwondo.
- She designed some of aespa’s concert merchandise.
FAQs
1. What is Karina’s real name?
Yu Ji-min is her real Korean name. Her stage name is Karina, from her baptismal name Katarina .
2. How old is Karina in 2026?
She is 26 years old. She was born on April 11, 2000 .
3. Who was Karina’s boyfriend?
She briefly dated actor Lee Jae-wook in 2024. She is currently single .
4. What is Karina’s height and weight?
She stands 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) tall. She weighs approximately 46 kg (101 lbs) .
5. What is Karina’s net worth?
Her net worth is estimated at $2 million. She earns from aespa music, endorsements, and brand deals .
Conclusion
Karina is a 26-year-old K-pop idol and leader of aespa. She stands 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 46 kg. She was born in Suwon, South Korea on April 11, 2000. Her family includes her parents and an older sister. Her net worth is approximately $2 million.
She debuted with aespa in November 2020 under SM Entertainment. She became a Prada Global Ambassador in 2024. She also joined the supergroup GOT the beat. She won the D-Awards UPICK Global Choice Award in 2026. Her group aespa released hits like “Next Level” and “Armageddon”.
She is known for her stunning visuals, deep rapping voice, and leadership. She speaks 4 languages including English, Japanese, and Chinese. She continues to lead aespa on world tours. Her future includes possible solo music and acting. She remains one of the most influential 4th generation idols.
