Few Ok-pop teams have constructed a fictional world as intricate as aespa‘s — and fewer nonetheless hold increasing it quite than leaving it behind. Since debuting in November 2020 with KWANGYA, the parallel realm, and ae, the digital self, the SM Leisure quartet of KARINA, GISELLE, WINTER and NINGNING has handled each launch not as a clear reset, however as one other chapter in a single, unfolding mythology — a uncommon intuition in a style that tends to prize reinvention over continuity.
That throughline has carried actual weight. Ladies took the group to No. 3 on the Billboard 200 (dated July 23, 2022); “Whiplash” peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard World 200 (dated Nov 9, 2024) and stayed on the chart for 31 weeks; and in 2025, aespa was named Group of the 12 months at Billboard Girls in Music. Greater than 5 years on, aespa has grown tougher to scale back to any single idea — a bunch whose “metallic” sound and exacting efficiency id now stand by itself, lore or no lore, and whose attain retains widening: a fourth world tour is about to hold the quartet throughout Asia, the Americas and Europe into early 2027.
Its second studio album, LEMONADE, arrives at that turning level, however quite than dwell on the music itself, Billboard Korea spoke with aespa to take a look at the group behind it. The members replicate on who they’ve turn into past the mythology that launched them, the sonic territory they nonetheless wish to declare, the requirements and the bonds they refuse to lose as the whole lot else shifts and the legacy they hope will stay many years from now.
aespa first entered the general public creativeness by one among Ok-pop’s most formidable world-building methods: KWANGYA and ae, the digital self. Over time, that universe has turn into much less about fiction alone and extra about id, self-protection, need and the query of who you’re when the idea is stripped away. If you have a look at aespa right this moment, what do you are feeling the group has turn into past its authentic mythology?
aespa: After we debuted, ae and KWANGYA have been important to how the world understood aespa. They gave us a unique world to begin from. However over time, we’ve grown far past simply the boundaries of our lore. Right this moment, our signature “metallic” sonic id, our visuals, our performances and our distinct particular person personalities outline who we’re simply as a lot because the story. It looks like we’re now not simply characters navigating a fictional world; we’re making a cultural language that’s fully our personal. Whereas our lore will at all times be part of our DNA, the core of aespa has shifted to the 4 of us: our actual selves, our progress and the arrogance we’ve gained alongside the way in which. Right this moment, we all know precisely who we’re, and we will specific our true colours extra confidently than ever earlier than.
aespa’s sound has at all times balanced futuristic stress with robust pop instincts, transferring throughout digital, pop, rock and performance-driven sounds. Wanting forward, what sort of sonic territory feels most important for aespa to discover subsequent?
aespa: We love pushing boundaries and wish to proceed exploring new sounds and ideas, however the secret’s at all times ensuring it retains that unmistakable aespa vitality. Whether or not we dive deeper into experimental digital, uncooked rock parts, or a very new style, our final purpose is transformation with out shedding our core. We wish to evolve in a means the place irrespective of how a lot the sound adjustments, the second folks hear it, they immediately acknowledge, “That’s positively aespa.”
Ok-pop typically rewards pace, visibility and fixed reinvention, however aespa has constructed energy by continuity, with recurring symbols, sounds, characters and concepts. What do you assume aespa should protect because it retains evolving?
aespa: We imagine our continuity is definitely our best power. As we evolve, what we defend most fastidiously are the anchors that make aespa: our signature conceptual depth, our efficiency commonplace and the distinct colours every of us brings. However above all, the synergy between the 4 of us is de facto vital to us. Regardless of how a lot the tendencies shift or how a lot we develop and alter, that collective concord will stay the true coronary heart of aespa.
KARINA, as aespa’s chief, you are likely to set the tone for the way the group strikes collectively, on stage and as a group. On this period, what felt most vital so that you can specific by your presence?
KARINA: Since that is our second full-length album, it felt like a extremely vital milestone for aespa. All of us shared the identical purpose of exhibiting a very new facet of ourselves, and I believe that zeal actually comes by within the music. Throughout recording and choreography practices, all of the members shared so many concepts, making the complete course of really feel deeply collaborative. Greater than ever, this album looks like one thing the 4 of us actually constructed collectively.
aespa
SM Leisure
Staying with you, KARINA, “Camouflage” carries a robust sense of concealment, management and transformation. Approaching a tune like that, what temper or element did you most wish to convey out?
KARINA: What actually stood out to me was the thought of hiding your self as a strategy to defend your self. “Camouflage” isn’t nearly disguise; it’s about moving into one other model of your self so that you don’t get shaken or damage. Whereas recording, I targeted closely on channeling that particular mindset and delivering vitality by my vocals.
GISELLE, you convey a definite sense of rhythm, perspective and tone to aespa’s songs. This time round, what did you concentrate on most in your supply and expression?
GISELLE: In our title observe, “LEMONADE,” there’s a particular lyric in my half that goes: “Mixing up all these tangled-up issues/ Like a hurricane/ Swirling the items/ All of the lemons/ I mix all of it up and drink it down/ I don’t care should you say I’m freaky.” Identical to the phrases recommend, I actually targeted on delivering an perspective that claims “I don’t actually care,” it doesn’t matter what type of issues or challenges come my means. I needed that unapologetic confidence to return by clearly in my supply.
Nonetheless with you, GISELLE: Narration on songs like “Wealthy Man” and “WDA” offers aespa’s music a cinematic sense of perspective and premise. If there have been a tune referred to as “aespa” that captured the group to this point, what would its opening line be?
GISELLE: “Subsequent Degree!” It will merely be a declaration to point out aespa’s signature “metallic” sound and efficiency in a very contemporary means, at all times pushing boundaries and taking it to the subsequent degree.
WINTER, throughout aespa’s discography, which tune feels closest to the artist you’re changing into now, not simply the performer folks know, however the model of you continue to taking form?
WINTER: I don’t assume I can select only one single tune. For me, each aespa tune and each single efficiency has been a necessary a part of the method of determining who I’m, each as an individual and as an artist. I don’t assume there may be one tune that exhibits a definitive or full model of me simply but. However as I proceed to find that extra clearly, I wish to continue to grow and presenting who I’m with even better confidence.
WINTER, aespa’s music typically strikes between depth, magnificence and emotional distinction. As an artist, what sort of emotion or texture are you most drawn to expressing lately?
WINTER: These days, I’ve been actually drawn to the delicate nuances between feelings, quite than specializing in one distinct feeling. This album explores so many alternative moods, so I attempted to convey out a very completely different vitality for every particular person tune. Some tracks required uncooked power, some wanted extra softness and others referred to as for a type of stress in between. I believe discovering that distinction is what makes performing so attention-grabbing. Transferring ahead, I’m actually excited to see how our followers discover these delicate variations and which feelings they join with essentially the most.
NINGNING, you carry a selected type of confidence that solely comes with expertise. On this period, was there a stage, a recording second or a element the place you felt your expression had developed?
NINGNING: Each time we put together a brand new album, I’m going into it with a robust need to point out how a lot I’ve grown. For this album, the creature and mutant-inspired idea pictures have been one thing new for me, so I spent loads of time enthusiastic about the way to actually convey that temper to life, not simply by the styling, however by my facial expressions and inside perspective. The efficiency of this launch additionally calls for an unbelievable quantity of vitality, so I labored laborious to verify the uncooked energy of the music comes by flawlessly on stage.
NINGNING, when folks look again on aespa many years from now, what do you hope they perceive in regards to the group that may not be apparent within the current second?
NINGNING: Lots of people already love aespa for our lore and our smooth, futuristic “metallic” sound. However even years from now, I hope folks keep in mind us as a bunch that created ideas, sounds, and performances nobody else might ever recreate. I need them to look again and see that we have been actually one among a sort.
As we wrap up, “‘Til We Die” speaks to endurance and staying related over time. Past the apparent bond with followers and members, what’s one perception, commonplace or promise inside aespa that you simply hope by no means adjustments?
aespa: “‘Til We Die” actually captures the essence of what we wish our legacy to be. We hope the bond between the members, and the reminiscences and connection we hold constructing with MYs, will at all times keep robust. Greater than something, we wish to hold giving again to MYs with music and performances that stay as much as their love and expectations. That inventive integrity and gratitude is a promise we wish to hold inside aespa, irrespective of what number of years cross.
This story was initially revealed by Billboard Korea.
