K-Pop group Aespa rings in 5th anniversary, Winter joins the celebration depsite illness

The picture had particular meaning for the fans as it included the member who had been unable to attend the group's November 15–16 concerts in Thailand.

Aespa's leader, Karina, recently shared a touching group photo to celebrate the group’s fifth anniversary, offering fans a glimpse into the joyful celebration.

On November 17, Karina posted the picture on her social media channels. The photo captured the four members gathered in a space decorated with vibrant balloons and festive ornaments, all holding a celebratory cake.

A pastel-toned, cat-themed cake was particularly eye-catching, adding a playful touch to the scene. The members, dressed casually, posed naturally and radiated a warm, celebratory energy.

The picture had particular meaning for the fans as it included the member who had been unable to attend the group's November 15–16 concerts in Thailand. The picture had particular meaning for the fans. Winter had been diagnosed with flu-like symptoms and had missed the shows.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by aespa 에스파 (@aespa_official)

Additional photos of the group's celebration were also posted on aespa's official social media accounts. One of the photos showed Winter indoors in a heavy coat and mask, which made fans feel sorry for him while also highlighting the group's camaraderie on their special anniversary.

Despite her illness, Winter joined her bandmates for the anniversary celebration, appearing in the photo wearing a mask.

Each member was beaming with a smile in the picture while holding a cake decorated with their unique character. The other members glowed under glittering lights, highlighting their remarkable appearances, while Karina displayed her distinctive fringe and sharp features.

Also read: From Day 6 to aespa: Top 5 most-streamed K-Pop male and female artists on YouTube Music Korea in 2025

Aespa made their official debut with the single "Black Mamba" on November 17, 2020. With a series of huge hits, such as "Next Level," "Pretty Savage," "Supernova," "Armageddon," "Whiplash," and "Rich Man," the group has since gained international recognition and established itself as a dominant force in K-pop.

SM Entertainment had previously confirmed her condition, stating, “Winter visited a hospital after the previous day’s performance and was diagnosed with cold and flu-like symptoms. Following the doctor’s recommendation for sufficient rest, we determined that participating in the scheduled soundcheck event and concert would be difficult.”