From a family of soldiers to a global fashion icon
In short: Born into a lineage of military service, Kim Min-jeong traded a potential career in the armed forces for a life under the spotlight. Now, as Winter of the girl group Aespa, she has become a powerhouse of music, fashion, and philanthropy.
Kim Min-jeong's path to stardom was unconventional. Her upbringing in Busan, South Korea, involved a household where multiple relatives, such as her father and elder brother, served within the military. While she originally considered a career in the military, her trajectory shifted in 2016 when an SM Entertainment talent scout discovered her while she was performing at a dance festival at Yangsan Girls' High School. Her transition was rapid; she dropped out of high school to begin intensive training, eventually passing her GED exam to pursue music full-time.
Her training under SM Entertainment was rigorous, lasting four years. She studied under in-house vocal coaches like Yoo Young-jin and specialized in waacking with dancer Waackxxxy. Following this training, she joined Aespa in 2020, marking the label's initial female ensemble following Red Velvet's 2014 launch. Her rise was meteoric; by 2022, her individual fancam for the single "Step Back" became the fastest female idol fancam in history to reach 10 million views, achieving the feat in just 25 days.
Beyond her primary group, Winter has expanded her influence through various projects. She joined the supergroup Got the Beat in 2022 alongside icons like Taeyeon and BoA. Her commercial reach is equally significant; she has served as a global ambassador for brands like Polo Ralph Lauren and New Balance, the latter of which saw a jacket sell out in just two minutes during a pre-sale. Despite her fame, she maintains a commitment to philanthropy, donating significant sums to the Korean Red Cross, UNICEF Korea, and the Samsung Medical Center.
Her career is marked by a balance of collaborative and solo work. From releasing the theme song "Win For You" for the 2024 World Team Table Tennis Championships in her hometown of Busan to co-writing tracks like "Blue" in 2025, Winter has established herself as a versatile artist. Her journey from a student of many instruments and sports to a global brand ambassador highlights a narrative of rapid evolution and diverse talent.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Winter (singer)
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