Ningning (aespa) | Ning Yizhuo

Ningning, the talented vocalist of the K-pop girl group aespa, has captivated audiences worldwide with her powerful voice and charismatic stage presence. Born in Harbin, China, this trilingual artist has made waves in the music industry since her debut with aespa in 2020. Her journey from a trainee at SM Entertainment to becoming a key member of one of the most popular girl groups in recent years has been nothing short of remarkable.

As the maknae (youngest member) of aespa, Ningning has showcased her impressive vocal abilities in hit songs like "Black Mamba" and has drawn comparisons to renowned artists such as Ariana Grande and Beyoncé. Her artistic talents extend beyond singing, as she also has a passion for fashion and has been spotted wearing Versace designs. With her INFP personality type and Libra zodiac sign, Ningning continues to win hearts with her unique charm and dedication to her craft, solidifying her position as a rising star in the K-pop world.

On October 28, 2020, SM Entertainment unveiled the final lineup of aespa through a press conference video. The following day, Ningning was officially introduced as the third member and main vocalist of the group. This announcement marked a significant milestone in her career, transitioning from her time as an SM Rookie to becoming a full-fledged idol.

Ningning's official debut with aespa took place on November 17, 2020, with the release of their hit single 'Black Mamba'. The song, described as an electropop and dance-pop track, featured a signature synth sound, a bass-heavy hook, and a sweeping bridge that showcased the group's vocal talents. 'Black Mamba' ran for two minutes and fifty-four seconds and was the first song to explain aespa's unique worldview.

The music video for 'Black Mamba' premiered on the same day as the song's release, following a teaser that was unveiled on November 15. The video introduced the group's innovative concept, which combines real-world members with virtual avatars, reflecting the meaning behind the group's name - 'Avatar X Experience'.

Despite being a debut release, 'Black Mamba' received positive reviews from music critics and appeared in several year-end lists as one of the best K-pop releases of 2020. The song's instant success catapulted the group, including Ningning, into the limelight, establishing them as a formidable force in the K-pop industry.

Dazed magazine ranked 'Black Mamba' at number 33 on their list, praising its clever setup of a new fantasy world story. Hypebae chose the song as one of their Best K-Pop Songs and Music Videos of 2020, citing its futuristic theme. Additionally, Paper magazine featured 'Black Mamba' on their list of The 40 Best K-Pop Songs of 2020, describing it as "a safe fusion of pop and EDM with a bass-heavy hook and a sweeping bridge".

Ningning's artistic inclinations extend beyond her musical talents. Her childhood dream was to become a painter, reflecting her deep love for art. This passion for creativity manifests in various ways, including her hobby of cooking and her interest in fashion design. Ningning enjoys customizing vintage clothing, showcasing her unique style and artistic flair.

Music remains a central part of Ningning's life outside of her professional career. She can play multiple instruments, including the guitar and piano. Her musical tastes are diverse, encompassing pop, hip-hop, and R&B genres. Ningning also has a fondness for horror movies and enjoys watching them in her free time.

As an animal lover, Ningning has a cat named Roro. She also has a particular affinity for Disney princesses, with Mulan being her favorite.

Ningning possesses a vibrant and multifaceted personality. She has revealed that she has ADHD, which may contribute to her energetic and creative nature. Her Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is INFP, suggesting she is introspective, idealistic, and values authenticity.

When asked to describe herself in one word, Ningning chose "sexy," indicating a confident and self-assured demeanor. She has a playful side as well, with a particular fondness for Patrick Star from SpongeBob SquarePants, appreciating his kindness towards his friends.

Ningning's zodiac sign is Libra, which is often associated with balance, harmony, and a love for beauty. This aligns well with her artistic interests and her eye for fashion.

Within aespa, Ningning has formed close bonds with her fellow members. She shares a particularly strong connection with Winter, her roommate. The two have many shared interests, including watching horror movies and enjoying thrilling rides at amusement parks. Their similar outgoing personalities and status as the youngest members of the group contribute to their close friendship.

Ningning's relationship with Karina, the group's leader, is characterized by a supportive dynamic. As the oldest member, Karina often looks out for Ningning, the youngest, creating a nurturing sister-like bond between them. Their shared experience as long-time trainees at SM Entertainment may have contributed to the strength of their relationship.

While Ningning's interactions with Giselle may be less prominent, they have been known to spend time together, especially during the group's early days. The varying lengths of their training periods at SM Entertainment may have influenced the development of their relationship.

Ningning has undergone numerous style transformations since her debut, showcasing her versatility and fashion-forward approach. Her journey began when she was introduced as an SM Rookies trainee in 2016, sporting reddish-brown hair with a blunt fringe. Since then, she has effortlessly pulled off various looks, including trendy purple hair in aespa's debut music video for 'Black Mamba' and darker hair with blonde highlights during the group's debut promotions.

The talented star has continued to surprise fans with her ever-changing hairstyles. She rocked eye-catching bright red hair during aespa's 'Next Level' promotions and debuted a perfect beachy blonde look for the group's historic Coachella performance in 2022. Most recently, Ningning stunned fans with a new black hair color during aespa's live performance on January 14, 2023, marking the first time all four members of the group sported dark hair simultaneously.

Ningning's rising popularity and fashion influence have caught the attention of major brands. In a significant career milestone, Versace tapped the K-pop star as a global brand ambassador. Donatella Versace praised Ningning, stating, "Ningning is not only a brilliantly talented star, she is a wonderful person. She has a strong, confident vision, incredible energy and talent and she looks amazing wearing our clothes".

The 21-year-old artist has been spotted wearing Versace at various high-profile events. She graced the Cannes Film Festival in May wearing a stunning black and white Atelier Versace gown. In October, Ningning attended the Versace Icons dinner in Shanghai, donning a black Crystal Medusa '95 minidress. Her association with the brand continued at the W Korea 18th "Love Your W" Breast Cancer Awareness charity event in Seoul, where she wore another figure-hugging black Versace dress.

Ningning's impact on fashion extends beyond her role as a Versace ambassador. Her ability to pull off diverse styles has made her a fashion icon in her own right. From her early days as an SM Rookies trainee to her current status as a global pop star, Ningning has consistently showcased her fashion versatility.

The aespa member's fashion choices often garner attention at major events. Her appearance at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival in Versace was particularly noteworthy, demonstrating her growing influence in the fashion world. Ningning's fashion journey began early in her career when aespa was named Givenchy's global brand ambassadors in 2021, shortly after their debut.

Ningning's partnership with Versace aligns with her personal style philosophy. She expressed, "Versace has always been about pushing boundaries of creative expression and championing those who are confident to express themselves, especially in the music world". This collaboration not only enhances Ningning's fashion credentials but also solidifies her position as a rising style icon in the K-pop industry.

Ningning, as a member of aespa, has received numerous accolades since the group's debut. In 2021, aespa won the Rookie of the Year award at several major South Korean music ceremonies, including the Melon Music Awards, MAMA Awards, Golden Disc Awards, and Seoul Music Awards. The group's success continued with their song "Next Level," which earned them the Song of the Year award at the 19th Korean Music Awards in March 2022, making aespa only the second girl group to achieve this honor.

At the 2021 MAMA Awards, aespa won Best Dance Performance – Female Group for "Next Level". They also secured the prestigious Record of the Year (Daesang) at the 2021 Melon Music Awards. The group's achievements extended to the 2022 Golden Disc Awards, where they were named Artist of the Year.

Ningning's musical endeavors have seen significant chart success. In 2022, she collaborated with fellow aespa member Winter on the OST "Once Again" for the South Korean drama "Our Blues." The song charted at 119 on the Circle Digital Chart. Later that year, Ningning participated in two tracks for SM Entertainment's annual end-of-year compilation album, "2022 Winter SM Town: SMCU Palace".

In a surprising collaboration, Ningning released the single "WYA" with Jay Park on July 30, 2023, as part of the WeTV show "The Next 2023". A remix of the single, featuring PH-1, Lexie Liu, ØZI, and Masiwei, was subsequently released on August 13.

Ningning's rising profile has garnered significant media attention. In 2021, Billboard recognized aespa as the Best Rookie and Best New Artist. Forbes included the group in their Korea Power Celebrity list as a Rising Star. Time magazine featured aespa as one of the 6 Rookie K-Pop Groups to Watch in 2021.

Ningning's individual achievements have also been noteworthy. On February 8, 2024, she was appointed as a global brand ambassador for the Italian luxury fashion house Versace. This appointment highlights her growing influence in both the music and fashion industries. Additionally, on March 15, 2024, Ningning was announced as the MC for day 2 of KCON 2024 in Hong Kong, alongside Myung Jae-hyun of boy group BoyNextDoor, further cementing her status as a rising star in the K-pop industry.