On July 1, 2025, aespa’s Winter gave fans an intimate glimpse into her path to stardom during an episode of Salon Drip 2 on YouTube titled “Winter’s Spine-Chilling Tales That Keep Twisting.”
Known for her charm and sincerity, Winter shared stories about her early trainee days and the unexpected twists that shaped her debut with aespa.
Winter, originally from Gyeongsang Province, playfully remarked on the cultural differences she noticed after moving to Seoul, joking about the mix of kindness and mischief among the city’s people.
This lighthearted moment set the tone for her candid reflections on her career beginnings. She recounted how she and fellow member Ningning were once seen as the “cute and innocent” trainees, a stark contrast to aespa’s now powerful and futuristic concept.
Winter admitted that when they first heard they would record “Next Level,” they mistakenly thought it was just a soundtrack remake—only to realize it was actually their debut song that would propel them to fame.
Winter’s audition journey was anything but easy. She revealed that she auditioned for SM Entertainment three separate times, showing incredible perseverance.
Her story included a memorable dance festival where SM scouts initially wanted to recruit her older brother, but she impressed them with her performance instead.
Despite this, she was initially rejected. However, after receiving interest from other agencies, Winter informed SM and was invited back for one final audition, which ultimately led to her becoming a member of aespa—a group she always dreamed of joining.
Her storytelling not only highlighted the resilience and determination required to succeed in the competitive world of K-pop but also gave fans a deeper appreciation of the winding road that led to her success.
Winter’s openness about her struggles and eventual breakthrough resonated with many aspiring artists and supporters.
This heartfelt episode offered a fresh perspective on aespa’s rise and the personal efforts behind their groundbreaking image and music.
Winter’s journey reminds fans that behind every polished performance is a story of hard work, patience, and unexpected turns that make the triumph even sweeter.
