Amid aespa's activities in Japan, Karina was spotted with a once-popular former SM Entertainment trainee.

On July 16, 2024, a post titled "Witness photo of Karina and Hina in Japan" was uploaded to Nate Pann, a popular community forum from South Korea. In the post, the author included a candid, fan-taken photo of Karina walking alongside a female friend.

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According to the author of the post, Karina was seen with Hina, a former SM Entertainment trainee and ex-SMROOKIES member. She trained alongside Karina, signing on as a trainee with SM Entertainment in 2015. She left the company in 2020 after failing to debut with aespa. Despite leaving the agency, the two appear to have remained close.

Currently, Hina is active as a model in Japan under the name Kohno Hina. She is signed under Trapeziste Creative.

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In the comment section, Korean netizens expressed their happiness at seeing the two together. They are glad that the two are still close despite aespa's busy schedules. Additionally, the sighting of aespa with ex-SM Entertainment trainees shut down rumors that aespa bullied the SMROOKIES trainees. Many were relieved to see the SMROOKIES trainees are still close, and still hang out privately with the members of aespa.

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Others expressed their nostalgia at seeing Hina. Previously, while training under SM Entertainment, Hina was cast in Disney Channel Korea's "The Mickey Mouse Club" as one of the Mouseketeers. She appeared on the show alongside now-NCT members and ex-SMROOKIES, such as Lami and Goeun.

Some comments read,

• "Wow, but seeing this made me realize how ridiculous aespa's rumors were during their debut. People were saying how aespa bullied the SMROOKIES female trainees but in reality, they are still close after five years and still hang out with each other privately."
• "Wasn't she seen with Lami recently too? It seems like the female SMROOKIES trainees are still close. And they still hang out with aespa."
• "Wow, so they met up. They seem really close."
• "Wow, seeing Hina makes me feel f*cking nostalgic. I wonder if anyone here watched 'The Mickey Mouse Club'? The one with Hina, Lami, and Goeun... I feel so f*cking nostalgic. But Hina and Karina seem close. This is great."
• "Wow, Hina, it's been a while."

What do you think of the situation? Tell us in the comments below!

In other news, aespa is currently embarking on their world tour, "SYNC: PARALLEL LINE." They recently made their Japan debut with "Hot Mess."

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Written by Alexa Lopez