On May 6, Vogue released a video titled “KARINA Gets Ready for the Met Gala”, capturing the idol in the midst of her preparations.

Despite her poised image, Karina showed a playful and relatable side, joking: “I look like a dinosaur right now. Do you know Spinosaurus?”

Her lighthearted comment contrasted with the magnitude of the event, instantly charming viewers and easing the tension of the moment.

Karina admitted that the experience felt even more nerve-wracking than performing on stage: “The Met Gala is such a historic and fashion-driven event. I talked a lot with Prada about the look. I’m more nervous than when I perform.”

She also revealed that getting her makeup done in front of cameras was a completely new experience, adding to her excitement and pressure.

For her debut, Karina chose a custom look by Prada but with a distinctly Korean twist.

“Fashion is a way to express yourself beyond just clothes. I fell in love with this dress at first sight.” She explained that the concept focused on blending Prada’s identity with Korean aesthetics, drawing inspiration from the traditional hanbok. The final design featured a minimalist silhouette paired with a flowing cape, subtly echoing classic Korean elements.

Her stylist added: “We were inspired by a cape that spreads out like Elsa’s, but reinterpreted with Korean beauty.”

The result was a look that many fans described as “Hanbok Elsa” a perfect fusion of global couture and cultural identity.

Beyond fashion, Karina also opened up about her dual identity as both an idol and an individual.

“As Yoo Ji Min, I’m shy but also outgoing. As Karina, I try to be more calm and elegant.” She shared that while she expects to feel nervous before stepping onto the red carpet, she naturally transforms once the moment begins.

Wrapping up her preparation, Karina expressed both excitement and anticipation: “I really love this dress. Do you like it too? It’s my first Met Gala, so I’m nervous, but I want to show a beautiful side of myself.”

From joking about looking like a dinosaur to embodying graceful elegance on one of fashion’s biggest stages, Karina’s Met Gala debut marked a defining moment—not just for her, but for K-pop’s growing influence in global fashion.

Sources: MK Sports,Vogue