aespa's Million-Selling Hits & Tour Success: But What's Behind the Controversy?
aespa's latest singles are million-sellers, and their third world tour is underway. But a controversial performance has fans divided. We break down the success, the debate, and what's next.
aespa is undeniably one of K-pop’s leading girl groups, consistently pushing boundaries with their unique metaverse concept and chart-topping hits. The second half of the year is proving to be a blockbuster for Karina, Giselle, Winter, and Ningning, with back-to-back million-selling albums and a new world tour.
However, their latest musical direction and a high-profile U.S. performance have sparked intense debate among fans and the public. Let’s dive into aespa’s recent triumphs and the growing controversy surrounding their artistic evolution.
A String of Million-Sellers
aespa kicked off the second half of 2025 with the single ‘Dirty Work’ in June, which quickly surpassed 1 million pre-orders. This was followed by ‘Rich Man’ in September, which also flew past 1.1 million pre-orders, marking their 7th million-seller album.
This achievement places them in an elite category, following the success of ‘Girls’ (2022), ‘My World’ (2023), ‘Drama’ (2023), ‘Armageddon’ (2024), and ‘Whiplash’ (2024).
The global response to ‘Rich Man’ was immediate. The album soared to the TOP 10 on iTunes Top Album charts in 29 regions and earned a ‘Platinum’ certification on China’s QQ Music. This commercial success proves that aespa’s global fandom, known as MYs, remains as powerful as ever.
A New Sound and a Divisive Performance
While the sales numbers are impressive, the reception to the music itself has been mixed. ‘Dirty Work’ and ‘Rich Man’ represent a departure from aespa’s signature futuristic, hyper-pop sound, opting for a darker, more refined vibe.
This musical experiment has divided listeners. While some praise the group for trying new things, others have voiced criticism on Korean online forums like TheQoo, stating that the new tracks “lack aespa’s signature powerful impact” and that “while the experimental attempt is good, the song structure is a bit disappointing.”
This debate was amplified by their recent performance on the major U.S. morning show, ‘Good Morning America’ (GMA). Shortly after the broadcast, aespa faced a storm of criticism for several reasons:
- Lip-Sync Allegations: Many viewers accused the group of lip-syncing, a topic that is often a source of heated debate in K-pop.
- Stage Presence: Some felt the stage, featuring just the four members without backup dancers, looked “empty” and lacked the dynamic energy aespa is known for.
This isn’t the first time aespa has faced such criticism, having been called out for lip-syncing at university festivals in the past. For a group promoting on a major global stage, the performance reignited questions about their live stability and stage command.
At a Crossroads: What’s Next for aespa?
Despite the mixed reviews on their recent direction, aespa’s commercial power and dedicated fanbase are undeniable. They’ve solidified their status as a “representative 4th generation girl group,” backed by major awards like the Korean Music Awards.
One industry insider analyzed the situation, stating, “This is a turning point and a test for aespa. It’s positive that they aren’t settling for their existing concept and are continuing to try new things. However, it’s time for them to establish a new musical identity while finding a balance between performance quality and mass appeal.”
For now, aespa is focusing on what they do best: connecting with fans on tour. They recently kicked off their third world tour, ‘2025 aespa LIVE TOUR - SYNK : aeXIS LINE,’ with a sold-out show in Seoul. The tour will continue across Asia, with arena-sized shows in Japan and Thailand. The group has announced they will be focusing on their tour for the remainder of the year, skipping the end-of-year award shows.
As they continue their global journey, all eyes are on aespa to see how they navigate this crucial period of artistic growth and evolution.