aespa’s Karina has once again proven her superstar status as she graces the cover of Harper’s Bazaar Korea as part of the magazine’s global Icons Project.
This year’s project highlighted world stars like Dua Lipa, Kate Moss, Adèle Exarchopoulos — and Korea’s very own Karina. The icons were chosen for breaking away from the ordinary and showing their true selves instead of only polished perfection.
Karina was named Korea’s icon and appeared on the September issue under the theme The Super Star. On set, staff were shocked at how flawless she looked, noting that her raw monitor shots looked no different from the final images. Many said her natural beauty was so unreal that even AI couldn’t recreate it — proving why she’s called a “living legend of visuals.”
In her interview, Karina opened up about her hopes and thoughts. When asked where she sees herself in five years, she said,
“Many things will change, but there are parts I don’t want to change. As long as I can keep working happily with my members and good people, I wouldn’t ask for more.”
She also confessed how she really feels before going on stage,
“Before going on stage, I always feel like, ‘I can’t do it, I want to run away.’ My body shakes like a trembling tree. But it’s in that nervousness that I feel alive. It reminds me I can still accept and recognize new emotions.”
Fans are praising Karina not only for her breathtaking visuals but also for her honest words that show her human side.
The full pictorial and interview can be found in the September 2025 issue of Harper’s Bazaar Korea and on their official website.
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