Ningning (닝닝)

Ningning — born Ning Yizhuo — is a Chinese singer based in South Korea and a member of SM Entertainment's girl group aespa, one of the more prominent fourth-generation K-pop acts to emerge from the label that shaped groups such as Girls' Generation and EXO.

From SM Rookies to aespa

Ningning came to K-pop through SM Rookies, SM Entertainment's pre-debut training and showcase program, before debuting as part of aespa. The group's concept centers on a parallel virtual world and each member's digital alter ego, a framework that set aespa apart visually and narratively from much of its peer cohort at launch.

Profile & Standing

Within aespa, Ningning is recognized primarily as a vocalist. As the group's Chinese member, she also represents a point of connection for aespa's substantial fanbase across mainland China and the broader Chinese-speaking world — a dimension of the group's international reach that SM has historically cultivated through multinational lineups.

Recent Activities

In May 2026, Ningning attended the Met Gala in New York alongside fellow aespa member Karina, marking the first Met Gala appearance for either since the group's debut. The event also brought them into the same space as BLACKPINK members Jennie, Rosé, and Jisoo, who were reuniting as a full group at the annual ceremony. That same month, Ningning was spotted unaccompanied in Seoul's Myeongdong district — a densely touristed area — without a mask or hat, and drew attention when she encountered a billboard featuring her own image. The fact that many of the surrounding foreign visitors did not recognize her despite the public setting was widely noted in coverage of the outing.