Ningning

Ningning
Ningning in 2026
Born
Ning Yizhuo

(2002-10-23) October 23, 2002 (age 24)
Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
EducationBeijing Contemporary Music Academy
OccupationSinger
Musical career
OriginSeoul, South Korea
GenreK-pop
InstrumentVocals
Years active2016–present
Labels
Member ofAespa
Chinese name
Simplified Chinese宁艺卓
Traditional Chinese寧藝卓
Hanyu PinyinNíng Yìzhuó
Wade–GilesNing Icho
Signature

Ning Yizhuo (Chinese: 宁艺卓; born October 23, 2002), known professionally as Ningning (Korean: 닝닝), is a Chinese singer based in South Korea. She is a member of the South Korean girl group Aespa.

Career

Early life and pre-debut

Ningning was born as Ning Yizhuo on October 23, 2002, in Harbin, China. She graduated from Harbin Normal University Middle School (哈尔滨师范大学附属中学) and Beijing Contemporary Music Academy (北京市现代音乐学校). During her early years, she was nicknamed "Ningning", which she would later use as her stage name in her career.

Ningning was scouted by SM Entertainment following her appearance on the Chinese singing TV show Let's Sing Kids. She was later introduced as a member of the pre-debut training team SM Rookies on September 19, 2016. As part of the team, she appeared on the Rookies Princess: Who's the Best? segment of the program My SMT that year, and recorded several covers for the Korean animated TV program Shining Star in 2017.

2020–present: Debut and solo activities

After training for four years, Ningning was revealed as the third member of Aespa on October 28, 2020, introduced by SM as an "18-year-old Chinese member with an outstanding voice" through the company's official social media outlets. The group debuted on November 17, with the release of the digital single "Black Mamba".

In 2022, Ningning released an OST with fellow member Winter called "Once Again" as part of the official soundtrack of the South Korean drama Our Blues. The song charted at 119 on the Circle Digital Chart. In December, she participated in 2 tracks for SM's annual end-of-year compilation album 2022 Winter SM Town: SMCU Palace, "Time After Time" and "Good To Be Alive", with fellow SM label mates.

On July 30, 2023, Ningning released the single "WYA" with Jay Park. The song was a surprise collaboration for the WeTV show The Next 2023, where Jay Park appeared as a regular mentor. A remix of the single was subsequently released on August 13, featuring PH-1, Lexie Liu, ØZI, and Masiwei.

On March 12, 2024, Ningning released the OST "Count on Me" for drama The Midnight Studio. On March 15, she was announced as the MC for the first day of KCON 2024 in Hong Kong alongside Myung Jae-hyun of boy group BoyNextDoor.

Endorsements

Ningning in 2026 at the Seoul Discovery Expedition event

On February 8, 2024, the Italian luxury fashion house Versace appointed Ningning as their global brand ambassador. In August, she became the global face of the Versace's Kleio Bag campaign. In November, she kicked off Versace's holiday campaign and starred in a campaign video.

On February 20, 2025, Ningning was selected as S/S season model for Fila's brand campaign at ABC Mart,[better source needed] and later on the 26th she was appointed as Maybelline New York's brand ambassador for North and Southeast Asia.[better source needed] In March, she became the brand ambassador of the feminine hygiene brand Kotex, with focus on their Chinese market. In June, she was selected as the collection model for the collaboration between Shushu/Tong and Haus Nowhere. In July, Ningning attended the opening of Alo's flagship store in Seoul as their newly appointed brand ambassador, and was formally announced as the brand's global ambassador in October. In mid-to-late July, she became the brand model of the South Korean skincare brands Dr. Jart+ and Olay Body Care for their Chinese market. In October, Ningning became the brand ambassador of the South Korean fashion brand Matin Kim for South Korean and Japanese markets, and presented their 2025 Winter campaign.

In February 2026, Ningning became the new ambassador of the clothing brand Discovery Expedition. In April, she became the global brand ambassador of the Italian luxury fashion house Gucci. In September, Ningning became an ambassador for italian luxury fashion house Bvlgari.

Personal life

In an interview with Vogue China, Ningning confessed that she had undergone eye surgery as a child and "can barely see" with her right eye. Ningning revealed that she has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) during an appearance on BamBam's YouTube show, Bam Home, in 2023. She opened up about the stress it causes her, stating that she enjoys drawing and reading but her ADHD makes it difficult for her to focus.

She is a fan of American singer Frank Ocean.

Public image

Controversial lamp post

Ningning's post from 2022 which showed a video of a lamp that she had recently purchased sparked criticism in Japan in November 2025. The lamp resembled a mushroom cloud of smoke that is often seen after a nuclear bomb explosion; Japanese netizens claimed the lamp resembles the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II. A petition was filed as a result and was reportedly signed by more than 100,000 people as of November 25, urging Japanese national broadcaster NHK to cancel Aespa's scheduled performance at New Year's Eve show Kōhaku Uta Gassen. A petition aimed to prevent Ningning from appearing on Japanese television received more than 100 million views on X. On November 17, NHK public relations department responded to the issue and clarified that Ningning "had no intention of downplaying or mocking the damage caused by the atomic bomb". Thus, NHK decided that Aespa will do their Kōhaku performance on December 31 as scheduled. On December 29, SM Entertainment announced that Ningning will not be participating in the Kōhaku performance due to health issues.

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
CHN
"WYA" (妳在哪裡)
(with Jay Park or remix featuring PH-1, Lexie Liu, ØZI and Masiwei)		 2023 63 Non-album single
List of singles as featured artist, showing year released, selected chart positions and album name
Title Year Peak
chart
positions		 Album
KOR
"Sip Ona Lil Sum'"
(Jay Park featuring Ningning)		 2024 — The One You Wanted
"Because of You"
(Minho featuring Ningning)		 — Call Back

Soundtrack appearances

List of soundtrack appearances, showing year released, selected chart positions and album name
Title Year Peak chart
positions		 Album
KOR
"Once Again"
(with Winter)		 2022 119 Our Blues OST
"Count on Me" 2024 — The Midnight Studio OST
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory

Other charted songs

List of other charted songs, showing year released, selected chart positions and album name
Title Year Peak chart
positions		 Album
KOR
"Snow Dream 2021"
(with Yeri, Haechan, Chenle and Jisung)		 2021 — 2021 Winter SM Town: SMCU Express
"Time After Time" (원)
(with BoA and Wendy)		 2022 — 2022 Winter SM Town: SMCU Palace
"Bored!" 2024 178 Synk: Parallel Line
"Ketchup and Lemonade" 2025 106 Synk: Aexis Line
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Other appearances

List of other appearances, showing year released, other artist(s) credited and album name
Title Year Other artist(s) Album
"Good to Be Alive" 2022 Hyo, Key, Chen, Johnny, Ginjo, Raiden, Imlay and Mar Vista 2022 Winter SM Town: SMCU Palace
"Melody" 2023 N/a The Next EP. 4 (Live Version)
"Miss This Life" 2025 League of Legends: Wild Rift and Fairlane Non-album single

Composition credits

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

List of songs, showing year released, artist name and album name
Title Year Artist Album Lyricist Composer
"Bored! " 2024 Herself Synk: Parallel Line Yes No
"Ketchup and Lemonade" 2025 Synk: Aexis Line Yes No
"Lollipop" 2026 Herself and Giselle Synk: Aexis Line 2026 Yes Yes
"I Love You But I Gotta Let You Go" Herself Synk: Complaexity Yes Yes

Filmography

Television shows

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2011 China Got Talent Contestant Season 2
2015 Let's Sing Kids Season 3
2023 The Next 2023 Special Mentor Episode 4

Hosting

Year Title Notes Ref.
2024 2024 KCON Hong Kong Special MC (Day 1) with Myung Jae-hyun

Awards and nominations

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination
Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result Ref.
D Awards 2026 UPICK Global Choice – Girl Ningning Nominated
Korea Grand Music Awards 2025 Fan Vote Artist – Female Nominated
Trend of the Year – K-pop Solo Nominated
TMELive International Music Awards 2026 Global Top Trend Song Top 10 "Ketchup and Lemonade" Won

Notes

  1. ↑ "Because Of You" didn't chart on the Circle Digital Chart but peaked at 79 on the component Download Chart.
  2. ↑ "Count on Me" didn't chart on the Circle Digital Chart but peaked at 51 on the component Download Chart.
  3. ↑ "Snow Dream 2021" didn't chart on the Circle Digital Chart but peaked at 83 on the component Download Chart.
  4. ↑ "Time After Time" (원) didn't chart on the Circle Digital Chart but peaked at 89 on the component Download Chart.
  5. 1 2 Credited under Aespa but is a solo track performed by Ningning.

References

  1. ↑ 1theK Originals (May 22, 2021). 에스파 세계관 흑막은 누구? 원더케이는 윈터 흑막설에 치킨 걸었음 | 에스파(aespa)_Next Level | 아이돌등판 | IDDP (Video) (in Korean). Event occurs at 11 minutes 5 seconds. Archived from the original on March 19, 2024. Retrieved March 19, 2024 – via YouTube.
  2. ↑ `정희` 에스파, SM 신인 걸그룹 부담 딛고 "음료 CF" 노리는 발랄함(종합). Star Today (in Korean). December 7, 2020. Archived from the original on August 10, 2024. Retrieved October 29, 2024 – via Naver.
  3. ↑ Jeong, Lucy (August 27, 2021). "5 K-pop idols from China: from Exo's Lay and Aespa's Ningning to (G)I-dle's Yuqi and NCT's Winwin and Chenle – what cities do they come from and how did they find fame?". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on March 19, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  4. ↑ Lee, Yoo-min (September 20, 2016). SM루키즈, 중국 출신 새 멤버 2인 공개 '기대' [SM Rookies unveils two new Chinese members 'Expectation']. TV Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 30, 2021. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  5. ↑ Lee, Jae-lim (October 29, 2020). "aespa's third member, Ningning, is introduced by SM". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  6. ↑ Phillips, Demi (June 29, 2022). "All Aespa members' ages, birthdays, and heights". We Got This Covered. Archived from the original on November 27, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  7. ↑ 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.
  8. ↑ "Digital Chart - 2022 Weeks 22". Circle Chart (in Korean). May 2022. Archived from the original on July 7, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  9. ↑ Daly, Rhian (December 26, 2022). "SM Entertainment shares 2022 edition of annual compilation, '2022 Winter SMTOWN: SMCU Palace'". NME. Archived from the original on May 19, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  10. 1 2 Behera, Snigdha (July 29, 2024). "Jay Park & Aespa's NingNing live performance makes netizens excited | Watch". India TV News. Archived from the original on August 1, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  11. ↑ 앨범 정보; [싱글] 妳在哪裡 (WYA) Remix 박재범, 닝닝 (NINGNING) [Album info; [Single] 妳在哪裡 (WYA) Remix Park Jae-beom, NINGNING (NINGNING)]. Melon (in Korean). August 13, 2023. Archived from the original on March 23, 2024. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  12. ↑ "The Midnight Studio OST Part 1 Ningning- Count on Me". Stone Music Entertainment. Archived from the original on March 18, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2024 – via YouTube.
  13. 1 2 Park, Dong-sun (March 15, 2024). 닝닝·명재현·성한빈·장하오, KCON 홍콩 2024 MC 발탁 [NingNing, Myung Jae-Hyun, Sung Han-bin, Zhang Hao named KCON Hong Kong 2024 MCs]. Et News (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 8, 2024. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
  14. 1 2 Zargani, Luisa; Feitelberg, Rosemary; Mohammed, Hikmat; Stark, Ari (February 8, 2024). "Versace's New Face, The Met's Longer Show, Cavalli at the Super Bowl". WWD. Archived from the original on March 19, 2024. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  15. ↑ Ziwei, Puah (February 8, 2024). "aespa's NingNing is Versace's newest global brand ambassador". NME. Archived from the original on March 19, 2024. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  16. ↑ Teti, Julia (August 27, 2024). "K-pop Star Ningning Models Versace's Kleio Bag in New Campaign Featuring Intimate Portraits as Latest Global Brand Ambassador". WWD. Retrieved November 1, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  17. ↑ Muhammad, Latifah (November 7, 2024). "Aespa's Ningning Kicks Off Versace Holiday 2024 Campaign: 'Fashion & Music Are Interconnected'". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 7, 2024. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  18. ↑ ABC Mart (February 20, 2025). FILA 2025年春夏シーズンモデルに"aespa"のNINGNINGが就任！NINGNINGが選んだスニーカーコレクションのビジュアルが順次公開 [NINGNING of "aespa" appointed as FILA's 2025 Spring/Summer season model! Visuals of the sneaker collection selected by NINGNING will be released one after another]. PR Times (in Japanese). Archived from the original on February 22, 2025. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
  19. ↑ L'Oreal Japan (February 26, 2025). aespa NINGNING、メイベリン ニューヨークの北アジア・東南アジア ブランドアンバサダーに就任 [aespa NINGNING appointed as Maybelline New York's brand ambassador for North and Southeast Asia]. PR Times (in Japanese). Archived from the original on February 26, 2025. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
  20. ↑ 還是媽媽寵！aespa寧寧擔任衛生棉品牌大使送上「爆紅撕拉片照」粉呼：我以後一次用兩片 [Mom still spoils her! aespa's Ningning becomes the brand ambassador for sanitary napkins, presenting a viral photo of a peel-off pad. Fans exclaimed: "I'll use two pads at a time from now on!"]. udnStyle (in Chinese (Taiwan)). June 10, 2025. Archived from the original on June 11, 2025. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  21. ↑ Kang, Seo-yoon (June 28, 2025). 큰 거 온다! 에스파 닝닝 x 슈슈통 x 하우스 노웨어의 콜라보레이션 [Something big is coming! Aespa Ningning x Shushu Tong x House Nowhere collaboration]. Elle Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 10, 2026. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  22. ↑ Sim, Janice (August 22, 2025). "Alo welcomes its first store in Singapore". Vogue Singapore. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  23. ↑ Kim, Soo-kyung (October 29, 2025). 알로 요가, 에스파 닝닝과 함께 한 신규 캠페인 공개 [Alo Yoga Unveils New Campaign with aespa's Ningning]. BrandBrief (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 15, 2026. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  24. ↑ DrJart蒂佳婷 (July 18, 2025). 一场关于艺术与专业的双重表达，即将开始...🦋 [A dual expression of art and professionalism is about to begin...🦋]. Weibo (in Chinese). Archived from the original on February 15, 2026. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  25. ↑ OLAY身体护理 (July 22, 2025). OLAY身体护理青春代言人即将闪耀登场 [OLAY's Youthful Body Care Ambassador is About to Make a Dazzling Debut]. Weibo (in Chinese). Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  26. ↑ Jang, Hoe-jeong (October 16, 2025). 마뗑킴, 한국·일본 앰배서더로 에스파 닝닝 발탁 [Aespa's Ningning selected as ambassador for Korea and Japan]. Lady Kyunghyang (in Korean). Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  27. ↑ "Matin Kim X NINGNING". Matin Kim. Archived from the original on February 15, 2026. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  28. ↑ Kim, Hyung-gyu (February 10, 2026). 디스커버리 익스페디션, 닝닝 앞세워 2026 SS...도심 속 액티브 웰니스 룩 [Discovery Expeditions, Ningning Lead the Way with 2026 SS...Active Wellness Looks in the City]. Pinpoint News (in Korean). Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  29. ↑ Hong, Yoo (April 29, 2026). "[Photo News] Aespa's Ningning named Gucci ambassador". The Korea Herald. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  30. ↑ MLim (September 21, 2026). "Ningning Announced As New Ambassador For Bvlgari". Soompi. Retrieved November 14, 2026.
  31. ↑ 에스파 닝닝 "오른쪽 눈 거의 안 보이는 상태...어린 시절 수술" 고백. News1 (in Korean). March 16, 2023. Retrieved November 25, 2025.
  32. ↑ Kang, Hye-eun (November 26, 2023). 에스파 닝닝이 ADHD? 성인 ADHD에 대한 오해와 진실!. Allure Korea (in Korean). Retrieved November 25, 2025.
  33. ↑ Benjamin, Jeff (April 20, 2022). "aespa Share Details on Coachella Debut & 'New Music That Will Wow the World': Exclusive". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 20, 2022. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
  34. ↑ "Aespa drawn into China-Japan tensions as petition targets Ningning's 'Kohaku' appearance - The Korea Times". Korea Times. November 19, 2025. Archived from the original on November 24, 2025. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  35. ↑ Daily, The Chosun (November 19, 2025). "70,000 Petition Demands aespa's NHK Cancellation Amid Tensions". The Chosun Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 19, 2025. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  36. ↑ "Petition filed in Japan over K-pop act Aespa's singer posting atomic bomb image". South China Morning Post. November 22, 2025. Archived from the original on November 22, 2025. Retrieved November 25, 2025.
  37. ↑ Jun-hee, Park (November 20, 2025). "More than 70,000 sign petition to cancel Aespa performance in Japan over Chinese member". The Korea Herald. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  38. ↑ Mail, Malay (November 20, 2025). "Aespa face backlash in Japan as 70,000 sign petition targeting 'Red & White' debut over Chinese member Ningning". Malay Mail. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  39. ↑ Lee, Yoona (November 19, 2025). "'Don't come to Espa!'Sino-Japanese Conflict, Biggest Victim in Enterta". Sports Chosun. Archived from the original on February 20, 2026. Retrieved November 21, 2025.
  40. ↑ Konomi, Yoshida (November 18, 2025). 【5万7000件超の反対署名】aespa紅白出場に批判拡大 change.orgで 出場停止求めます うねり強まる. coki (in Japanese). Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  41. ↑ Hernon, Matthew (November 20, 2025). "Aespa Faces Japanese Backlash Over NingNing's Controversial Lamp Post". Tokyo Weekender. Archived from the original on December 17, 2025. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  42. ↑ NHK 紅白出場発表の aespa に言及 ご出演していただけるんだろうと 中国人メンバーも在籍. Livedoor News (in Japanese). Archived from the original on November 19, 2025. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  43. ↑ Kim, Ga-yeon (December 29, 2025). "Aespa's Chinese Member Withdraws From Japan's NHK Kohaku Due to Flu". The Chosun Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 29, 2025. Retrieved December 29, 2025.
  44. ↑ "Aespa's Ningning to Miss NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen in Japan... "Absence Due to Influenza, Not Political Issues"". Maeil Business Newspaper. December 29, 2025. Retrieved December 29, 2025.
  45. ↑ 你在哪里 (WYA) – 朴宰范/Ningning. Tencent Music (in Chinese). Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  46. ↑ Peak chart positions on Circle Chart (previously called Gaon Chart)
  47. ↑ "Download Chart — Week 45, 2024". Circle Chart. November 10–16, 2024. Archived from the original on November 30, 2024. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
  48. ↑ Peak chart positions for soundtrack appearances on the Circle Chart (formerly Gaon Digital Chart):
  49. ↑ "Download Chart — Week 11, 2024". Circle Chart. March 10–16, 2024. Archived from the original on March 22, 2024. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  50. ↑ Peaks on the Circle Digital Chart:
  51. ↑ "Download Chart — Week 1, 2022". Circle Chart. January 1, 2022. Archived from the original on December 28, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
  52. ↑ "Download Chart — Week 53, 2022". Circle Chart. December 25–31, 2022. Archived from the original on January 5, 2023. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
  53. ↑ "Songs Registered Under NINGNING (10044079)". Korea Music Copyright Association (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 19, 2024. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
  54. ↑ "SYNK: COMPLaeITY - 2026 Special Digital Single / aespa / Credits". Tidal. Retrieved September 14, 2026.
  55. ↑ @UPICK_twt (January 5, 2026). #DAwards #디어워즈 🏆 [UPICK Global Choice - G] Nomination (Tweet) (in Korean). Retrieved January 14, 2026 – via X (formerly Twitter).
  56. ↑ Park, Se-yeon (September 30, 2025). 2025 KGMA 본 투표 1차 종료...부문별 1위 누구? 투표 열기 고조 [2025 KGMA Main Voting 1st Round... Who is number one in each category? Vote openness is high]. Ilgan Sports (in Korean). Retrieved October 11, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  57. ↑ Park, Da-yeon (August 24, 2026). 에스파, 中 '2026 TIMA' 최다 6관왕...SM 8팀 수상 행진 [aespa sets a record with 6 awards at China's '2026 TIMA'... SM 8 Team Awards Parade]. Top Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 24, 2026. Retrieved August 24, 2026.