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The K-pop industry may be known for producing electrifying stage performances and catchy songs. But in recent years, the business has been taking bigger risks when it comes to concepts and the fan experience, including entering the virtual world. aespa, one of the biggest K-pop girl groups of the moment, has been doing just that.
Since their debut in 2020, aespa has been known for popularizing the metaverse concept, bringing hyperpop bangers, futuristic looks and an expansive lore that takes place in a parallel virtual universe.
It can be a lot to wrap your head around. But, aespa’s ambitious concept hasn’t stopped the band’s ever-growing popularity. In 2024, aespa released their first studio album Armageddon, selling more than 1.1 million copies within its first week of release.
On February 13, the four-member group will bring their SYNK: PARALLEL LINE Tour to Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena. Below, get to know the K-pop hitmakers ahead of the band’s first-ever Canadian show.
Who are aespa?
aespa is made up of four members: Karina, Winter, Giselle and Ningning. The group’s name comes from the English words “avatar, experience and aspect.” According to the band’s label SM Entertainment, the band’s name means “to be able to meet another self through an avatar and experience a new world.”
When aespa debuted in November 2020, the group introduced themselves as a group of eight, which did cause some confusion with fans. That’s because each of the four real band members have their own virtual avatar counterparts known as “æs” (pronounced like “eyes”) that exist in another dimension known as the FLAT. These avatars are not exact copies of the members of aespa, but are created based on each member’s personal data.
In an interview with Vogue Singapore, aespa member Winter said adding avatars into the group’s performances gives them different layers when it comes to their music.
“Sometimes, our avatar members perform instead of us, or sometimes we perform alongside them, and this adds another level of dynamism that differs from when the four of us perform in reality,” she said.
“It is our hope that, one day, we can include our avatar members in our concerts.”
What goes on in the aespa universe?
If you’re thinking this all sounds like a complex sci-fi epic, that’s because it sort of is! In the world of aespa, Karina, Giselle, Winter and Ningning navigate the real world while their AI counterparts try to keep things running in the virtual world of FLAT while being friends and support systems to the actual members.
The band is also aided by an AI avatar known as NÆVIS. NÆVIS opens a portal that allows the real members of aespa to co-exist and meet with their virtual counterparts. But like every sci-fi story, there’s also a villain. As heard in aespa’s debut song “Black Mamba”, the girls have to fight against this snake-like entity who threatens to break the connection between the real and virtual worlds. aespa’s follow-up single “Next Level” explores confronting the villain of Black Mamba head on.
Fans who stick around not only get to enjoy the music of aespa, but get sucked into the intricate world-building behind the band’s concept.
In recent years, aespa has expanded their storylines, exploring the multiverse in their first studio album Armageddon, released on May 27, 2024.
aespa’s popularity in the real world
While it may take some a longer time to fully grasp aespa’s lore, many have been captivated by aespa’s live performances and ability to explore new genres, jumping from EDM to hip-hop to hyperpop. On stage and in music videos, the girls also use eye-catching fashion to aid their storytelling.
In their first year as a group, aespa won Rookie of the Year at all major music awards shows in South Korea. Internationally, the band has also sold millions of albums, hitting the Billboard charts numerous times. In October 2024, aespa’s hit single “Whiplash” became the group’s first top 10 hit on the Billboard Global 200 at #8.
aespa also became the third K-pop girl group to perform at Coachella in 2022, when they took part in 88rising’s Head in the Clouds Forever set.
Demand for aespa has only grown in recent years, with the band selling out shows in cities like Seoul, Hong Kong, Los Angeles and Toronto on their ongoing SYNK: PARALLEL LINE World Tour.
4 songs to get to know aespa
Black Mamba
The lyrics of “Black Mamba” explore the worldview of aespa and the members’ connections with their avatars. But even if you’re not closely dissecting the lyrics, listeners will still easily be taken by this powerful EDM-pop track that highlights the girls’ talented vocals. “Black Mamba” is a debut song that sets an impression right from the start. When the song was released in November 2020, it also solidified aespa as ones to watch.
Savage
“Savage” follows the theme of confidence and overcoming fear, especially in the wake of confronting the villain of Black Mamba (as heard in “Black Mamba” and “Next Level”). aespa is a group that is always committed to their storyline, which makes “Savage” a compelling song for those highly invested in the band’s universe. Sonically, “Savage” also blends elements of trap, dubstep and hip hop. Though its clanging electronic instrumental that kicks off the song is the real highlight of the track.
Spicy
While aespa’s concepts have largely explored the band’s relationship with the virtual world, “Spicy” is more grounded in comparison. While its sound conforms to aespa’s signature synth and electropop style, “Spicy” instead focuses more on the attitude, vocals and rapping strengths of the members. It’s also fun seeing the aespa girls playing characters set in the real world. This music video gave me the vibe of a teen film, with the members playing popular high school students who also throw a party at their lavish mansion.
Whiplash
2024 was a year that saw hyperpop take over the music charts, thanks to Charli XCX’s “brat summer.” I would consider aespa’s “Whiplash” up that alley, with an addictive pulsing house beat that easily gets stuck in your head. But what really sold me about this song is its music video, which feels like a badass high fashion film set in the Matrix universe. Listening to this song also makes me want to strut down the street like a model.
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