aespa’s Winter Sparks Outrage With Shocking Audition Story

aespa’s Winter is widely regarded as one of the top all-rounders of the current K-Pop generation, praised for her vocals, visuals, and stage presence. However, her recent story about the road she took to join SM Entertainment has stunned fans, who are now questioning how such a standout talent was nearly overlooked.

| @imwinter/Instagram

During her guest appearance on the YouTube talk show Saloon Drip 2, Winter opened up about her audition experience, revealing she was rejected multiple times before finally securing a spot as a trainee. What many thought would be a straightforward story of success turned out to be an emotional rollercoaster that left fans both frustrated and sympathetic.

Winter shared that she was first cast by SM Entertainment during a festival and then went to the company’s auditions in Seoul.

| TEO 테오/YouTube

I auditioned for SM three times!

When I first went to audition, the SM employee who evaluated me saw my brother and tried to take him! So I was just like… ‘Didn’t you come for me? It was that easy?’ I couldn’t help but to think that way.

So my brother auditioned too but I’m a better singer than he is. He’s not as good at singing… He’s not bad. Honestly, I also… Didn’t pass that time.

— aespa’s Winter

The following two times were just as emotionally tiring as the first one. In fact, Winter claims SM didn’t want her until she started looking elsewhere.

| TEO 테오/YouTube

After that, they go to Busan for a global audition which I went to and got rejected again. So I assumed I wasn’t fit for SM. So I auditioned for different companies too and they all wanted to see me again. But I was still talking to the SM casting team, so I told them ‘I think I’ll be going somewhere else.’ And they wanted to have me come in and audition one last time.

So I was like, ‘They said they didn’t like me… Are they just trying to stop me from going to a different company?’ But since I wanted to go to SM I auditioned one last time and I got in then.

— aespa’s Winter

The story quickly went viral, sparking outrage among fans who couldn’t believe how close Winter came to not debuting under SM—or at all. Many criticized the company for what they saw as dismissive behavior and poor judgment.

she almost not debuting under that company.. they think they can just play with someone’s dreams like that? imagine how discouraged she must’ve felt with the way she was rejected for 3 times, sm is really the worse. this company are lucky they gain a treasure and ace😒 https://t.co/ieR2SrBkmV

— l (@bluured_) July 1, 2025

"Now they want me because I'm leaving" This is one of my major red flags and I can't believe SM did it to her I- https://t.co/4vPB4TIVux

— || GENERAL 🐰♦️|| 💫 || ❄️ || (@warmstoneyunnie) July 1, 2025

sm is actually so dumb. like she's one of the greatest all-rounder in kpop that is also a visual https://t.co/pSySc1ISSZ

— winter stan (@idkwinterwho) July 1, 2025

Wow imagine rejecting THE kim minjeong… sm you’re so lucky she kept trying bc look at who you could’ve missed out on AND who you almost made us miss out on 😒 https://t.co/d4K5q1K0gS

— eli (karina’s only gf) 🦖 missing aespa (@jiminiesneck) July 1, 2025

While aespa’s success speaks for itself, Winter’s story sheds light on the harsh reality many trainees face. And now, with contract renewals looming in a few years, fans are beginning to speculate whether Winter will choose to stay with the company that nearly let her slip through the cracks.

There’s a high chance that she won’t renew her contract with that fuckass company if they won’t get their shit together https://t.co/luYFgc7SGG

— flo (@binaewin) July 1, 2025