From “Jennie Lookalike” to Natural Beauty Icon — NingNing Proves Haters Wrong with Childhood Photos
As one of the most talked-about Gen Z idols in K-pop, aespa’s NingNing (real name Ning Yizhuo) has often found herself under the spotlight not just for her stage presence and vocals, but for constant comparisons to BLACKPINK’s Jennie.
Dubbed the “little Jennie” and “Jennie look-alike” by some, NingNing has been accused of mimicking Jennie’s style, makeup, and even rumored to have gone under the knife to resemble her senior, speaking intense debate.
However, recent resurfaced childhood footage of NingNing are rewriting the narrative.
Particularly, a clip from her appearance on TV show “New Generation Sound of China” at age 12 has gone viral, showing a young NingNing with already striking features. Even back then, she bore a resemblance to Jennie—with naturally full lips, cat-like eyes, and a charismatic aura. Netizens now say that her current look isn’t the result of surgery or imitation, but rather enhanced through smart styling and makeup that complements her existing beauty.
Below are some comments from netizens:
- Woah, her facial features didn’t change at all from childhood. It’s so silly that people have been accusing her of plastic surgery
- Her facial features are very clearly defined, the only change is that she now wears makeup and has lost a lot of weight
- She truly looked pretty even before her debut
- There are many footage of Ningning before her debut since she appeared on a lot of broadcasts in China. SM must have seen her visual power since she was young
Previously, NingNing, born in 2002 and the youngest member of aespa, has opened up about a deeper personal struggle, how she has almost lost all vision in her right eye. In a Vogue China interview, she revealed her poor eyesight since childhood, undergoing surgeries that ultimately didn’t improve her condition. As a result, she often wears sunglasses and uses eye drops throughout the day.
This revelation shocked fans, especially after the female idol had been criticized for often taking breaks and returning to China. In reality, she had been receiving treatment for severe keratitis in her home country. Once the truth came out, the public response shifted drastically, with fans praising her strength and dedication.
