aespa’s Winter has revealed the surprisingly persistent journey that led her to join SM Entertainment.
Few fans would have guessed that Winter often regarded as one of aespa’s members who perfectly embodies the classic “SM visual” image was actually rejected by the company multiple times before making her debut. Her recent story surprised many fans while shedding light on her determination to become an SM artist.
In the latest episode of JTBC’s variety show Please Take Care of My Refrigerator, Winter and Karina appeared together as special guests. During the show, the two shared several interesting stories about how they became trainees at SM Entertainment.
At the beginning of the conversation, host Kim Sung-joo commented that both Winter and Karina possess what fans often call the “classic SM visual,” a term used to describe artists whose appearance perfectly matches SM Entertainment’s signature aesthetic.
Karina immediately insisted that Winter fits that description better than anyone else. “I think Winter is the perfect example of the SM style. She has bright, fair skin and a face that reminds me of seniors like Seo Hyun-jin and Taeyeon,” the aespa leader said.
Winter, however, had a completely different opinion. She revealed that she failed SM Entertainment’s audition three separate times before finally being accepted as a trainee. “Actually, I think Karina is the one who truly has the SM look. I failed SM’s audition three times. I just kept trying until they finally accepted me, while Karina was directly contacted by SM through a message and invited to join,” Winter explained.
Her story quickly made everyone on set laugh when she humorously summed up the difference between their journeys. “SM chose Karina, but I chose SM,” she joked.
Winter’s witty remark immediately resonated with both the hosts and viewers, as it perfectly illustrated two very different paths that ultimately led them to debut under the same company.
Host Kim Sung-joo then asked whether entertainment agencies still commonly recruit trainees by sending direct messages through social media. Karina replied, “I think they still do.”
Over the years, SM Entertainment has become known for using a variety of scouting methods, including public auditions, street casting, and discovering talented individuals through social media. As online platforms continue to grow, directly messaging promising candidates has become an increasingly common recruitment strategy not only for SM but for many Korean entertainment companies.
Winter’s story also highlights that the road to becoming an idol is rarely easy. Despite being rejected three times, she never gave up on her dream. Her perseverance eventually paid off, allowing her to debut as one of the standout members of aespa, one of K-pop’s most influential girl groups today.
Winter’s honest confession has earned widespread praise from fans, who admired both her sincerity and her determination. Many believe that her persistence is one of the qualities that has helped shape the talented and resilient artist she is today, as she continues to strengthen her position in the Korean music industry.
Sources: Saostar
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