K-pop girl group aespa is in the middle of one of their busiest years yet. Fresh off their second world tour, SYNK: PARALLEL LINE, which took them across Asia, North America, and Europe, aespa is now preparing for a massive arena tour in Japan and Thailand.
But with all this momentum, rumors are swirling that aespa won’t attend the big year-end music festivals and awards shows. Instead, the group is said to be concentrating fully on their third world tour, 2025 aespa LIVE TOUR – SYNK: aeXIS LINE, which kicked off with three sold-out nights in Seoul in June.
Hits, Misses, and Mixed Reactions
aespa’s year started strong with Dirty Work (June 27) and Rich Man (July 5). Both singles smashed pre-order records — over a million each — marking aespa’s sixth and seventh million-selling albums. On global charts, Rich Man scored high across iTunes, QQ Music, Trendpeak, and even topped Japan’s AWA trending chart.
Still, not everyone’s convinced. Critics argue the group’s pivot to a darker, more experimental sound sacrifices the sharp, futuristic identity that put aespa on the map. One reviewer noted, “The attempt is bold, but the song’s structure just isn’t memorable.”
The debate heated up after aespa’s performance on Good Morning America, where fans accused the group of lip-syncing. Similar complaints followed them at some university festivals, with netizens saying their stages feel underpowered without dancers.
A Pivotal Moment for aespa
Despite the backlash, aespa remains one of K-pop’s most commercially successful fourth-gen groups, consistently topping charts and taking home awards. Industry insiders say the current moment could be a turning point.
“This is a test for aespa,” one source told local media. “They’re brave to experiment, but they need to balance innovation with performance quality and audience expectations.”
Whether or not aespa shows up at year-end award shows, their global presence is only growing. The group’s tour heads next to Fukuoka on October 4, before making stops in Tokyo, Aichi, and Bangkok.
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FAQs
Q1: Why is aespa rumored to skip year-end music festivals?
aespa is reportedly prioritizing their third world tour schedule over attending major year-end award ceremonies and music shows.
Q2: How have fans reacted to aespa’s new singles?
Dirty Work and Rich Man broke sales records but drew mixed reviews, with some fans praising the experimentation and others missing their old sound.
Q3: What’s next for aespa in 2025?
aespa continues their SYNK: aeXIS LINE world tour, with arena shows lined up in Japan and Thailand through the year.
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