‘SM chose Karina, but I chose SM’: aespa’s Winter recalls three failed auditions before joining K-pop agency

SEOUL, July 6 — K-pop girl group aespa’s Winter revealed today in Seoul that she failed SM Entertainment auditions three times before finally joining the agency.

Winter recounted her story on JTBC’s cooking variety show Please Take Care of My Refrigerator, appearing alongside groupmate Karina, according to The Korea Times.

“I think Winter is the perfect example of the SM style,” Karina said, noting her fair complexion resembled seniors like Seo Hyun‑jin, a well‑known actress and former idol, and Taeyeon, the leader and main vocalist of Girls’ Generation.

Winter disagreed, saying, “I failed the SM audition three times. I kept auditioning until I finally got accepted, while SM sent Karina a direct message first.”

She jokingly contrasted their paths into the company, adding, “SM chose Karina, but I chose SM.”

Host Kim Sung‑joo asked whether agencies now recruit aspiring idols through direct messages on social media, and Karina replied, “It seems they do.”

SM Entertainment is widely regarded as one of the “big four” K‑pop agencies, alongside HYBE, JYP and YG, and has played a central role in shaping the industry through acts such as Girls’ Generation, EXO, Red Velvet and NCT.

SM Entertainment has long discovered talent through auditions and street casting, but in recent years agencies have increasingly used social media to contact potential trainees directly.

Aespa, formed in 2020, is known for hits such as Black Mamba, Next Level, Savage and Supernova, and recently scored international success with Lemonade.