Winter (singer)

In this Korean name, the family name is Kim.

Kim Min-jeong (Korean: 김민정; born January 1, 2001), known professionally as Winter, is a South Korean singer and dancer.^[1] She is a member of the South Korean girl group Aespa which debuted under SM Entertainment in November 2020. In January 2022, she became a member of the supergroup Got the Beat.

Winter
Winter in November 2023
Born	Kim Min-jeong (2001-01-01) January 1, 2001 (age 23) Busan, South Korea
Occupations	Singer dancer
Musical career
Instrument	Vocals
Years active	2020–present
Labels	SM Warner
Member of	Aespa Got the Beat
Website	Official website
Korean name
Hangul	김민정
Hanja	金旼炡
Revised Romanization	Kim Min-jeong
McCune–Reischauer	Kim Minjŏng
Stage name
Hangul	윈터
Revised Romanization	Win-teo
McCune–Reischauer	Wintŏ
Signature

Early life

Kim Min-jeong was born on January 1, 2001, in Nampo-dong, Busan, South Korea.^[2][3][4] She was born into a military family with her father, older brother, and several relatives all in the military. Due to this, she initially dreamt of becoming a soldier.^[5]

She went to Yangsan Samsung Middle School and was a diligent student who was in advanced math and was popular among students, leading to her being elected vice president. She learned to play multiple instruments, such as the piano and guitar and played various sports like bowling, kendo, fencing, basketball, and badminton. She was also in the school's dance club.^[6][7][8] She was attending Yangsan Girls' High School until she was discovered by an SM talent scout while performing at a dance festival at her school in 2016. Prior to being scouted, she had never shared her aspirations of becoming a singer with her parents, who were surprised by her decision to audition. She shared that during the audition, she had to sing for over three to four hours.^[2] She was accepted and dropped out of high school to immediately begin her training. She later took her GED exam and passed.^[9]

Winter was trained vocally by SM Entertainment's in-house vocal coaches, including Yoo Young-jin who was a longtime producer of the agency before his departure in 2023.^[10] She was also a student of Waackxxxy, a South Korean dancer who specializes in waacking.^[11]

Career

2020–present: Debut in Aespa, GOT The Beat and solo activities

Main articles: Aespa and Got the Beat

Winter trained for four years, and in 2020, she was revealed as the first member of Aespa, a group with a metaverse concept under SM Entertainment and the company's first girl group since Red Velvet in 2014. They debuted with the single "Black Mamba" on November 17.^[12] On December 6, Winter participated in a tribute to her labelmate and SM Entertainment senior BoA, in celebration of her 20th anniversary, and performed a cover of her song "ID; Peace B" at the 2020 Mnet Asian Music Awards.^[13]

In 2022, SM Entertainment created a supergroup composed of their female artists as a counterpart to their male supergroup, SuperM. The Girls On Top project's first unit, Got the Beat, would have 7 members: Winter and her fellow aespa member Karina, Girls' Generation's Taeyeon and Hyoyeon, Red Velvet's Wendy and Seulgi and BoA. The group made their debut on New Year's Day at the 2022 SM Town Live Concert with the single "Step Back", which was officially released on January 3.^[14] After making their debut stage on M! Countdown, her individual fancam for "Step Back" went viral and became the fastest female idol fancam in history to amass 10 million views, reaching it in only 25 days.^[15] In the same year, she released a duet with fellow aespa member Ningning called "Once Again" as part of the official soundtrack of the South Korean drama Our Blues.^[16] The song charted at 119 on the Gaon Digital Chart.^[17] In December, she participated in two tracks for the 2022 Winter SM Town: SMCU Palace, "Jet" and "Priority", which featured her labelmates in SM Entertainment.^[18]

In 2023, she released a collaboration with Super Junior's Yesung called "Floral Sense" for his second studio album's reissue, Sensory Flows. The song and its accompanying music video featuring Winter were released on February 27.^[19] Months later, Winter, along with Im Si-wan, were appointed as the ambassadors of the 2024 World Team Table Tennis Championships which would be held in Busan, the hometown of both singers. To promote the event, Winter and Im Si-wan released the song "Win For You" on September 21 as the event's official theme song.^[20] In November, she released a collaborative song with (G)I-dle's Soyeon and Ive's Liz titled "Nobody", which was released on November 16.^[21] In the same month, she was announced to be a part of the official soundtrack of the South Korean drama Castaway Diva and released the song "Voyage" on November 19.^[22] Winter was also revealed to be part of the lineup for the official soundtrack of the South Korean drama My Demon and released the song "With You", on December 8.^[23][24]

On March 14, 2024, it was announced that Winter would be collaborating with Bang Yedam on a new single "Officially Cool". The single was released on April 2.^[25]

Endorsements

On October 13, 2023, she became the brand ambassador of the South Korean skincare and cosmetics brand Mamonde.^[26] In November, she became the face of Polo Ralph Lauren in South Korea.^[27] A month later, it was announced that she will be the ambassador of the South Korean cosmetics brand Espoir, another brand owned by Amorepacific Corporation after Mamonde, and eventually became its global ambassador.^[28][29] On April 1, 2024, Winter became the new model for the South Korean isotonic drink Toreta.^[30]

Personal life

Her family comes from the Gimhae Kim clan, the 22nd generation of the Samhyeonpa branch,^[31] and are Buddhist, though she has stated she herself is not particularly religious.^[32][33] On April 12, 2024, SM entertainment confirmed that Winter had undergone surgery after suffering a collapsed lung.^[34]

Discography

For Winter's discography with Aespa and Got the Beat, see Aespa discography and Got the Beat discography.

Singles

As lead artist

List of singles as lead artist, showing year released, selected chart positions and album name

Title	Year	Peak chart positions	Album
		KOR Down. [35]
"Win for You" (ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals Busan 2024 Official Theme Song) (with Yim Siwan)	2023	185	Non-album singles
"Nobody" (with Jeon Soyeon and Liz)		11
"Officially Cool" (with Bang Yedam)	2024	39
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

As featured artist

List of singles as featured artist, showing year released, selected chart positions and album name

Title	Year	Peak chart positions	Album
		KOR Down. [36]
"Floral Sense" (Yesung featuring Winter)	2023	62	Floral Sense (Special Version)

Soundtrack appearances

List of soundtrack appearances, showing year released, selected chart positions and album name

Title	Year	Peak chart positions	Album
		KOR [37]
"Once Again" (with Ningning)	2022	119	Our Blues OST
"Voyage" (항해)	2023	130	Castaway Diva OST
"With You"		—[upper-alpha 1]	My Demon OST
"The Moment I First Saw You" (처음 본 순간)	2024	—[upper-alpha 2]	Heartsping: Teenieping of Love OST
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Other charted songs

List of other charted songs, showing year released, selected chart positions, and name of the album

Title	Year	Peak chart positions		Album
		KOR [40]	KOR Down. [41]
"Jet" (with Eunhyuk, Hyo, Taeyong, Jaemin, Sungchan and Giselle)	2022	—	108	2022 Winter SM Town: SMCU Palace
"Priority" (with Max Changmin and Taeyeon)		—	57
"Spark"[upper-alpha 3]	2024	100	—	Synk: Parallel Line

Composition credits

All song credits are adapted from the Korea Music Copyright Association's database unless stated otherwise.^[42]

List of songs, showing year released, artist name, and name of the album

Title	Year	Artist	Album	Lyricist	Composer
"Spark"	2024	Herself	Synk: Parallel Line

Videography

For Winter's videography with Aespa and Got the Beat, see Aespa videography and Got the Beat § Videography.

Music videos

Title	Year	Director(s)	Ref.
As lead artist
"Nobody" (with Jeon Soyeon and Liz)	2023	Zanybros	[43]
"Officially Cool" (with Bang Yedam)	2024	SNP Film	[44]
As featured artist
"Floral Sense" (Yesung featuring Winter)	2023	Un­known	[45]

Music video appearances

Year	Title	Artist	Ref.
2021	"Free to Fly"	Kangta	[46]

Notes

1. "With You" did not enter Circle Digital Chart, but peaked at number 32 on the component Download Chart^[38]
2. "The Moment I First Saw You" did not enter Circle Digital Chart, but peaked at number 66 on the component Download Chart^[39]
3. Credited under Aespa but is a solo track performed by Winter.

References

1. Cheon, Yun-hye (October 27, 2020). "SM 새 걸그룹 에스파, 첫 멤버 윈터 공개..뛰어난 보컬+댄스 실력 겸비" [SM's new girl group Aespa unveils first member Winter, who has excellent vocal and dance skills]. Herald Pop (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 11, 2023. Retrieved March 7, 2024 – via Naver.
2. Lee, Soo-hyun (July 19, 2023). ""즉흥적으로 계속 불렀다"...에스파 윈터, 댄스 페스티벌 캐스팅→오디션 일화 공개" ["I just kept improvising and singing"...Aespa Winter reveals dance festival casting to audition secrets]. Top Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
3. "Born and Raised". Magazine B (in Korean). Vol. 96. Busan, South Korea. September 28, 2023. pp. 111–112. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
4. "What about the slogans made by aespa? [The Manager Ep 159]". The Manager. Episode 159 (in Korean). June 30, 2021. KOCOWA TV. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
5. Oladele, Bashirat (December 28, 2021). "aespa reflect on their "unreal" 2021: "It takes a little time for everything to start kicking in"". NME. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022.
6. Carpio, Jillian (February 1, 2021). "Aespa's Winter: meet the K-pop knockout being compared to K-drama actresses So Yoo-jin and Yoon So-hee, and Girls' Generation leader Taeyeon". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on August 16, 2022.
7. "Next Door". Harper's Bazaar Korea (in Korean). Vol. 96. South Korea. January 2021. Archived from the original on July 1, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
8. "[aespa: 에스파]20210226 aespa SOHU KOREA interview 인터뷰（아이돌 출근한다 爱豆上班啦". SOHU KOREA interview (in Korean). October 26, 2021. Sohu Korea. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 27, 2023 – via YouTube.
9. "에스파 세계관 흑막은 누구? 원더케이는 윈터 흑막설에 치킨 걸었음 - 에스파(aespa)_Next Level - 아이돌등판 - IDDP". IDDP (in Korean). May 22, 2021. 1theK Originals. Archived from the original on May 23, 2021. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
10. Kim, Ji-hye (June 7, 2021). "SM이 찾아낸 '오래된 미래' 에스파, 마침내 '넥스트 레벨'로" [SM's 'old future' Aespa finally takes it to the 'next level'] (in Korean). Kyunghyang Shinmun. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
11. Lee, Seul-gi (September 27, 2023). "레드릭 부름에 달려온 에스파 윈터, 알고 보니 '왁킹' 왁씨 제자(스우파2)[결정적장면]" [Aespa Winter, who came to Redric's call, is actually a 'Wakking' Wakse disciple (Swoopa 2) [culminating scene]] (in Korean). Nate News. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
12. Phillips, Demi (June 29, 2022). "All Aespa members' ages, birthdays, and heights". We Got This Covered. Archived from the original on November 27, 2023.
13. "BTS wins big, Twice wins most popular artiste at 2020 Mnet Asian Music Awards". CNA Lifestyle. December 7, 2020. Archived from the original on December 2, 2021.
14. Iasimone, Ashley (January 3, 2022). "Supergroup GOT the Beat Debuts 'Step Back' at Record-Breaking SMTOWN Live Concert". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 17, 2023.
15. Kim, Ha-young (February 25, 2022). "윈터, 1,000만이 본 '만두 직캠'...女 입덕 직캠 최정상" (in Korean). Kyunghyang Shinmun. Archived from the original on April 8, 2024. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
16. Chin, Carmen (March 25, 2022). "aespa's Winter and NingNing to contribute song to the soundtrack of 'Our Blues'". NME. Archived from the original on April 1, 2023.
17. "Digital Chart - 2022 Weeks 22" (in Korean). Circle Chart. May 2022. Archived from the original on July 7, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
18. Adhya, Arpita (December 18, 2022). "SM WINTER ALBUM 2022 SMCU PALACE'S RELEASE DATE, TRACKLIST & ARTIST LINEUP". NME. Archived from the original on December 19, 2022.
19. Assis, Tassia (February 27, 2023). "Yesung: "I want to be remembered as a person who takes on challenges with no regrets"". NME. Archived from the original on September 27, 2023.
20. Lee, Jian (September 20, 2023). "Actor Yim Si-wan, aespa's Winter to sing theme song for World Team Table Tennis Championships". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023.
21. Choi, Ji-won (November 16, 2023). "Soyeon, Winter, Liz's collaborative song 'Nobody' comes out Thursday". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on November 22, 2023.
22. Lee, Su-hyun (November 20, 2023). "재회한 서목하X정기호...'무인도의 디바', 자체 최고 시청률 8.7% 기록" (in Korean). Top Star News. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
23. Ha, Na-young (November 13, 2023). "뉴진스→에스파 윈터, '마이데몬' 화려한 OST 라인업 공개" (in Korean). The Chosun Ilbo. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
24. Kang, Min-kyung (December 8, 2023). "[공식] 에스파 윈터, 김유정♥송강 '마이 데몬' OST 참여...오늘(8일) 발매 | 텐아시아" (in Korean). TenAsia. Archived from the original on December 9, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
25. Kang, Da-yoon (March 14, 2024). "방예담, 에스파 윈터 만난다...4월 2일 첫 듀엣곡 발표 [공식] - 마이데일리" [Bang Ye-dam, Aespa's Winter will meet... on April 2, their first duet [Official] - MyDaily]. MyDaily (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 18, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
26. Lee, Si-a (October 13, 2023). "아모레퍼시픽 마몽드, 앰버서더 '윈터'와 리브랜딩 캠페인" (in Korean). Insight Korea. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
27. My, Truong Tieu; Chong, Calvin (November 20, 2023). "aespa's Winter is the new Polo Ralph Lauren Korea brand ambassador". L'Officiel Malaysia. Archived from the original on November 27, 2023.
28. Lee, Yu-min (December 19, 2023). "에스파 윈터, 인간 체리 변신" (in Korean). Kyunghyang Shinmun. Archived from the original on January 20, 2024.
29. "[aespa] ウィンターのメイクが美しすぎる！気になる使用コスメは？" (in Japanese). Vivi. January 16, 2024. Archived from the original on January 20, 2024.
30. "에스파 윈터, 토레타 새 얼굴 됐다" (in Korean). The Korea Economic Daily. April 1, 2024. Archived from the original on April 5, 2024.
31. Lee, Hye-mi (November 25, 2023). "에스파 윈터, 사투리 봉인 해제 "서울말 때문에 어색"('밥묵자')" (in Korean). TV Report. Archived from the original on November 30, 2023. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
32. "ASMR ver. Q&A by aespa KARINA & WINTER". Tingle Interview (in Korean). November 17, 2023. Mnet. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
33. "Kim Shin Young's Noon Song of Hope". Kim Shin Young's Noon Song of Hope (in Korean). May 17, 2023. MBC. MBC FM4U. Archived from the original on August 20, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
34. Ziwei, Puah (April 12, 2024). "aespa's Winter undergoes "preventive" surgery for a collapsed lung". NME. Archived from the original on August 13, 2024. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
35. Peak chart positions on Circle Download Chart (previously called Gaon Download Chart)

    • "Win For You". Circle Download Chart (in Korean). September 17–23, 2023. Archived from the original on September 28, 2023. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
    • "Nobody". Circle Download Chart (in Korean). November 12–18, 2023. Archived from the original on November 23, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
    • "Officially Cool". Circle Download Chart (in Korean). March 31 – April 6, 2024. Archived from the original on April 11, 2024. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
36. Peak chart positions on Circle Download Chart (previously called Gaon Download Chart)

    • "Floral Sense". Circle Digital Chart (in Korean). February 26 – March 4, 2023. Archived from the original on March 9, 2023. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
37. Peak chart positions on Circle Digital Chart (previously called Gaon Digital Chart)

    • "Once Again". Circle Chart (in Korean). May 22–28, 2022. Archived from the original on July 7, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
    • "Voyage". Cirlce Chart (in Korean). November 19–25, 2023. Archived from the original on November 30, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
38. "Download Chart 2023 Weeks 49" (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. December 3–9, 2023. Archived from the original on December 14, 2023. Retrieved December 19, 2023 – via Circle Chart.
39. "Download Chart 2024 Week 27" (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association. June 30 – July 6, 2023. Archived from the original on July 11, 2024. Retrieved August 3, 2024 – via Circle Chart.
40. Peaks on the Circle Digital Chart:

    • "Spark". Circle Chart. October 6–12, 2024. Archived from the original on October 17, 2024. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
41. Peak chart positions on Circle Download Chart (previously called Gaon Download Chart)

    • "Jet, Priority". Circle Chart (in Korean). December 25–31, 2022. Archived from the original on November 18, 2023. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
42. "Songs Registered Under Winter (10044031)". Korea Music Copyright Association (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 19, 2024. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
43. [MV] SOYEON of (G)I-DLE X WINTER of aespa X LIZ of IVE 'NOBODY' (Music video). M:USB. November 16, 2023. Archived from the original on November 16, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2023 – via YouTube.
44. 방예담 (BANG YEDAM) X 윈터 (WINTER of aespa) 'Officially Cool' Official M/V (Music video). GF Entertainment. April 2, 2024. Archived from the original on April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 2, 2024 – via YouTube.
45. YESUNG 예성 'Floral Sense (Feat. 윈터 of aespa)' MV (Music video). SMTOWN. November 16, 2023. Archived from the original on February 27, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023 – via YouTube.
46. Lee, Da-kyeom (November 20, 2023). "강타 "에스파 윈터·NCT 성찬, '자유롭게...' MV 출연"('SM 콩그레스')" (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 27, 2023.

External links

• Winter at SM Town
• Winter at IMDb