translation credit: teamwinteroffcl
Winter wants to understand herself—what she’s good at, what she truly likes. She often wonders what it feels like to perform on stage with no regrets, to fully enjoy it. She also finds herself curious about what she’ll experience and share over the next five years.
Q: The editor who filmed the digital content said they lost track of time during the shoot because working with you was so fun.
⭐: Oh, I think they’re just saying that. (laughs) But I had fun too. The concept of the video was that I became a one-day editor, planning content and writing an article. It was a bit difficult, actually. Even though the topics—snacks or photos—are things I like, I’d never thought about them in such detail before. Still, while filming, I thought, “So this is what an editor does,” and it felt new and fascinating.
Q: I think the editor meant something a bit different by “fun.” What I felt today is that you have a unique liveliness. You’re someone who constantly creates interesting sounds.
⭐: (laughs) Me? I make interesting sounds? I’ve never heard that before.
Q: Yes. You use a lot of exclamations, and the way you speak is very melodic. Your tempo is relaxed, and it feels like you naturally carry a kind warmth, like the way someone talks to a baby.
⭐: Wow, that’s very perceptive. All our members tend to speak gently, so I guess I never thought my way of speaking was particularly unique. I should ask people about it. (laughs)
Q: How was today’s photoshoot?
⭐: It was fun. I’ve done several shoots with Ralph Lauren, and each time there’s been something new. Today was the same—fresh and enjoyable. The brand has such a wide range of images, so I like that I can show different sides of myself to match that.
Q: Looking at your Instagram, it feels very free-spirited, but sometimes there are posts that feel like “a noble lady from a refined family,” and when you click them, they’re almost always Ralph Lauren outfits.
⭐: That’s right! (laughs) A lot of people keep a consistent tone on their Instagram feeds, but I just post whatever I want. So there’s a mix of different vibes—bright and funny everyday moments, glamorous stage photos, and then more elegant or casual Ralph Lauren looks. That’s why I enjoy doing shoots with them—it lets me show a wider spectrum of myself
Q: Since your debut, you’ve shown a lot of different styles. None of your promotions feel repetitive.
⭐: I naturally prefer variety. I think I have many different sides to me, and also, I’m not the type to stick with just one thing for a long time—I get bored easily. So whenever I perform a new song or do a new photoshoot, I always want to do something different.
Q: This shoot, in particular, had a more experimental side—you went almost without makeup.
⭐: I was really happy about that. I’ve always wanted to try a shoot with that kind of feel. aespa has a very glamorous image, and we often do smoky makeup looks, so when I saw the concept, I thought, “This will be fun.”
Q: When I think of aespa, I usually imagine a strong, intense image—what people call the “metallic” vibe. But watching your 2025–26 aespa LIVE TOUR – SYNK : aeXIS LINE videos, it felt much more diverse.
⭐: That’s right. Our songs actually cover a wide range of genres, and some are quite cute too. In concerts, we include a lot of stages where we can have fun with fans. So while it’s grand, it’s not just dark or heavy.
Q: So you enjoy that variety, and then at some point, the “sing-along” or “banger” moments hit—since your hit songs instantly trigger excitement from the intro.
⭐: I think many of our songs have strong character right from the intro. The moment the song starts, the cheers are so loud they almost overpower the music. That feels amazing. It means people have been waiting for that song, or they’re just really happy to hear it. That energy gives us a dopamine rush too, and it lets us enjoy the moment together with the fans.
Q: It must feel like becoming one.
⭐: That feeling is really important. Across everything I do—singing, dancing, working on songs—what I want most right now is to perform well on stage. When I look back, I don’t think I’ve had a stage yet where I can say, “I fully enjoyed it, I was completely free.” I don’t know if I’ll ever experience that even once in my life, but I’ll keep working toward it.
Q: This tour features a live band setup. Has that given you any new inspiration?
⭐: There’s a certain liveliness that comes from a live band. A tour is a place where we meet fans directly, and I feel there’s an energy you can only convey there. Depending on the song, there’s also vocal synergy with the band. Our members tend to have clear, piercing vocal tones, which go well with a band setup.
Q: While preparing for this interview, I noticed aespa’s songs seem quite difficult to sing.
⭐: I think it depends on how you approach it. There aren’t inherently “easy” or “hard” songs—if I lack something, then songs that require that skill feel difficult. aespa’s songs are hard for me too, but that’s because I still have a lot to improve. Still, I can feel myself getting better step by step.
Q: Ah, what I meant is that aespa’s vocals often include unexpected, unconventional elements in melody and rhythm. They’re very refined, built on delicate balances, so even small mistakes that might pass in other songs would stand out more.
⭐: Ah, I see what you mean. That’s true. Especially these days, many aespa songs rely heavily on “vibe.” Of course pitch and rhythm matter, but sometimes understanding the attitude of the song is more than half the battle. When I first started recording, I focused only on pitch, rhythm, lyrics, and pronunciation—and that alone was already very hard. But as I got used to those basics, recording started finishing very quickly. If that were the end, it would’ve been nice—but then I started hearing details I couldn’t notice before. And once I hear those, it becomes difficult again.
