Karina Adorably Apologizes for Not Snapping Pics with Every SM Artist: “I Tried, But I’m Not That Sociable”

On May 13, Karina updated her Instagram with a carousel of vibrant snapshots captioned “aespa girls.” The photos feature aespa members posing playfully in what appear to be behind-the-scenes moments from a recent SM event. One particularly striking image captured Winter standing with Red Velvet’s Irene and Seulgi—complete with name tags—forming an elite visual trifecta that thrilled fans of the SM family.

Karina’s soft, choppy bangs and expressive looks added a youthful freshness to her vibe, and fans quickly praised her for both her beauty and endearing energy.

In a follow-up post, Karina shared her self-deprecating humor with fans, writing, “I had a goal to leave something with all the artists in SMTOWN, but I ask for your understanding as I wasn’t very sociable or diligent. I feel regretful, hufglrrkhkkghhhgh”

The post included more photos of Karina with various artists, including members of SM’s newly debuted girl group Hearts2Hearts, capturing rare cross-generational visuals in one frame.

The candid nature of the update—mixed with Karina’s blend of elegance and honesty—struck a chord with fans, who praised her for being open about her personality while still delivering major visual impact. Comments ranged from supportive to amused, with fans declaring her “the most relatable queen” and loving her balance of beauty and bashfulness.

Whether striking poses with her aespa members or laughing through social nerves, Karina continues to prove why she remains one of K-pop’s most beloved stars—both onstage and behind the scenes.