On September 10, aespa’s Karina opened up about the struggles she faced while promoting with GOT the Beat, a project girl group under SM Entertainment featuring BoA, Girls’ Generation members, and aespa.
In Hyoyeon’s YouTube series Bapsahyo, Karina candidly shared that she had never imagined a solo career as a trainee: “I always thought I’d debut in a group. Even during photoshoots, we always took group pictures, so I figured solo wasn’t my path.”
Reflecting on joining GOT the Beat in her second year after debut, she admitted: “Honestly, my confidence really dropped then. No matter how hard I tried, their experience was overwhelming. BoA has over 20 years in the industry, while we had only two. I felt like I hit a wall with my own limits.”
Karina revealed she rewatched practice room videos with the senior members repeatedly—both as keepsakes and as study material.
She also addressed a photo that once went viral, showing Hyoyeon and Taeyeon sitting on a sofa while Karina and Winter stood politely beside them. Many fans interpreted it as a “seniority gap.”
Karina laughed: “For me, they’re such role models that I didn’t want to sit down next to them. I just felt like standing.” She added that aespa members usually sit on the floor out of habit: “We’re Korean, so sitting on the floor is more comfortable.”
Hyoyeon joked that the photo had sparked questions from friends asking if she was “pulling rank,” causing both idols to laugh.
Known for her glamorous visuals, Karina contrasted her image with her down-to-earth personality: “I used to be very shy, but now people say it doesn’t show much. Once I talk with someone for an hour, I get comfortable.”
She admitted she still gets nervous around Hyoyeon: “Normally I’m playful and talkative, but I admire her so much that I get shy. It feels like being at a fan signing event.”
Karina’s honesty revealed both her humility and determination to keep growing as an artist. For fans, it highlighted just how much she respects the industry veterans while continuing to carve her own path with aespa.
Sources: Daum
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