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aespa's Karina Graces the September ELLE Cover — A Prada Pictorial and Her Answer on "Inner Strength"

Karina of the group aespa has graced the cover of the September issue of the fashion magazine "ELLE." Along with a pictorial created with Prada, a candid interview was also unveiled. A "Transformation" Concept Pictorial with Prada Through the September ELLE cover unveiled on the 14th, Karina showed sensuous styling created with Prada. The pictorial was carried out under the concept of "Karina transforming across a wardrobe." It captured Karina's many faces — moving lovingly and boldly, and at times innocently and freely. The pictorial was completed as four different covers. Behind the Scenes of the Lollapalooza Chicago Stage In the interview conducted alongside the pictorial, Karina shared her thoughts on aespa's first appearance at the "2026 Lollapalooza Chicago" stage, recently held in Chicago, USA. Karina described the effort at the time: "It was a stage we prepared really hard for. Since it was a festival stage after a long while, all the members always practiced late so each could do their best in their part." Regarding the stage composition in particular, she added, "For the setlist, too, we wanted to complete an exciting stage centered on songs we hadn't often shown before," suggesting it was a special stage tailored to a large-scale festival setting. Treating a World Tour Like "Travel" aespa is currently on their world tour "2026-27 aespa LIVE TOUR - SYNK : COMPLæXITY," unfolding a global run. Asked what she looks forward to during the tour, Karina answered, "I tend to head out of the hotel to feel the city where the tour is held in person." She continued, "Just as a 'tour' means 'travel,' I always look forward to places I wouldn't have visited and experiences I wouldn't have had if I weren't doing this work," revealing a positive attitude toward the new experiences she feels at tour sites. Karina's Definition of Being "Strong" Karina, who delivers supple yet intense performances on stage, was asked what being "strong" means. She defined it this way: "I think it's similar to saying someone has inner conviction." "Having inner conviction means your standards or values aren't easily shaken. It's knowing yourself clearly, and having a distinct core within that," she said, adding, "That's why I like the word 'strong'" — candidly revealing her values. It's a passage that reveals her attitude as an artist with an unshakable center. Karina's four-cover pictorial and the full interview can be found in the September issue of ELLE and on its website. Related content such as a fashion film is also set to be released in stages.