AceShowbiz - Karina and Ningning, members of the celebrated K-pop group aespa, made their highly anticipated debut at the 2026 Met Gala held Monday night at New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Though the two stars attended separately, fans are eagerly awaiting photos that capture both members together inside the gala later in the evening. This year’s event was themed "Costume Art," with a dress code emphasizing "fashion is art," inspired by the Costume Institute's exhibition exploring fashion as a historical art form.

Karina, the 26-year-old leader of aespa, chose a breathtaking custom white satin dress from Prada paired with a dramatic black cape. Her ensemble appeared to draw inspiration from the traditional Korean hanbok, a garment with origins tracing back to the Three Kingdoms period in Korea.

Every element of Karina’s look was by Prada, including her jewelry, shoes, and purse. She has served as a brand ambassador for Prada since 2024, with the luxury fashion house previously praising her as "one of the most talented female K-pop artists" when announcing their collaboration.

Meanwhile, Ningning, aged 23, opted for a striking black gown designed by Gucci. Her outfit was a complex and intricately structured piece that perfectly showcased her elegance and presence at the gala. Complementing her gown, she wore Gucci shoes and jewelry from Bvlgari.

Just a week before the event, Gucci revealed that Ningning had joined their roster of brand ambassadors. Reflecting on the partnership, the K-pop star said, "I grew up fascinated by Gucci and it doesn't feel real that I get to help bring the house's designs to new generations and tastes."

The members of aespa are currently preparing for the release of their second full-length album titled Lemonade, set to drop on May 29. This 10-track album promises to capture the group at their "boldest yet," combining their signature futuristic style with sharper storytelling, enhanced production, and a more confident, evolved sound, according to an official statement.

As one of South Korea’s most popular girl groups, aespa is also gearing up to make their U.S. festival debut at Lollapalooza in August. The group has previously performed at major American festivals such as Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Governors Ball, and Outside Lands.

Following their Lollapalooza appearance, aespa will embark on an extensive world tour beginning in August in Seoul, South Korea. The North American leg of the tour kicks off in September, with stops including Mexico's Palacio de los Deportes and Toronto's TD Coliseum. The group will perform in eight U.S. cities, featuring venues like New York's UBS Arena and Los Angeles' Intuit Dome, concluding the North American segment in Vancouver, Canada.

The 2026 Met Gala was co-chaired by notable figures including Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his wife, Lauren Sánchez Bezos, served as honorary chairs, stirring controversy ahead of the event.

This year’s host committee was a star-studded lineup comprising Anthony Vaccarello, Zoë Kravitz, Adut Akech, Angela Bassett, Sinéad Burke, Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat, Gwendoline Christie, Misty Copeland, Alex Consani, Elizabeth Debicki, Lena Dunham, Paloma Elsesser, Rebecca Hall, Blackpink’s Lisa, Chloe Malle, Aimee Mullins, Amy Sherald, Tschabalala Self, Sam Smith, Teyana Taylor, Anna Weyant, Lauren Wasser, A’ja Wilson, Chase Sui Wonders, and Yseult.

The event celebrated fashion’s artistic legacy with dazzling displays from numerous A-listers, including Karina and Ningning, who both embodied the theme with their exquisite couture choices. For a full look at the stars’ outfits and comprehensive coverage, The Hollywood Reporter provides detailed highlights and analysis.