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Be MY æ! Hello, we are aespa! |
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| —aespa | ||
aespa (에스파; also stylized as æspa) is a four-member girl group under SM Entertainment. They debuted on November 17, 2020 with the digital single "Black Mamba".
Their name is a combination of "æ", which means 'Avatar X Experience', and "aspect", which means double-sided. Together it means that you would being able to experience a new world through an avatar of yourself.[2]
History
Pre-debut activities
On September 19, 2016, Ningning was revealed as a new member of the trainee team SMROOKIES. She appeared on the "Rookies Princess: Who's the Best?" segment of the program "My SMT" in 2016 and was also part of the soundtrack for the Korean animated TV program "Shining Star" in 2017.[3]
On February 2019, Karina appeared in Taemin's "Want" music video. She also performed with him on music shows in the following weeks.
2020: Debut with "Black Mamba", fandom name
The group performing at SBS MTV's The Show on November 24, 2020
On October 26, 2020, an intro video was released on aespa's social media announcing their name and logo.[4] Later that day, it was announced that SM would be debuting a new girl group in November.[2][5] The next day, the group's first member, Winter, was officially revealed.[6][7] On October 28, the second member, Karina, was revealed.[8][9] The same day, a video shown during a press conference featuring Lee Soo-Man revealed the group will have four members, including Giselle and Ningning.[10] On October 29, Ningning was officially revealed as the group's third member.[11][12] On October 30, Giselle was revealed as the group's fourth and final member.[13][14]
On November 2, it was announced the group would debut on November 17 with the digital single "Black Mamba",[5][15][16] The music video for the song counted 21,4225,062 views in its first day, breaking the record for most viewed music videos in the first 24 hours by a K-pop group in its debut, which was previously held by ITZY with the song "Dalla Dalla".[17]
The group at MBC's Gayo Daejejeon backstage on December 31, 2020
On November 17, on their debut day, the group's fanclub name was announced to be "MY (마이)" which is the word used to mean "the most precious friend" in KWANGYA where aespa's avatar æ lives.[18]
2021 (1): First music show win, "Forever", and "Next Level"
On January 8, 2021, the music video for "Black Mamba" hit 100 million views, which took only 51 days and 12 hours to achieve, setting the new record in K-pop history as the debut MV to garner 100 million views in the shortest time period.[19][20]
On January 14, a Forbes article mentioned that the group is expected to put out new music early into 2021 with all signs pointing to additional international activities.[21]
On January 17, the group won their first music show win with "Black Mamba" on SBS's Inkigayo.[22][23]
The group for GIVENCHY in February 2021
On January 29, the hashtag #늘_네_옆에_난_서있을게 (#I_will_always_stand_by_your_side) was promoted by the group's official Twitter account, and it was later revealed that the group would release a surprise single "Forever" on February 5. The single is a remake of the song of the same name by Yoo Young Jin from the SMTOWN album Winter Vacation In SMTOWN.Com.[24][25] On February 4, SM Entertainment announced that the group would release a series of performances for the single in the following days with various concepts.[26][27]
On March 15, an economic analysis by SM Entertainment revealed that a virtual show in conjunction with the group's "æ-avatars" is expected for the year. Lee Kihoon, a researcher at the Hana Financial Group, also adds that the debut process of the group was largely responsible for making SM the most innovative company in the current era of the "metauniverses".[28]
On March 19, aespa was one of the two k-pop groups chosen by People magazine in the list "Emerging Artists Making Their Mark on the Musical Landscape in 2021". According to the article, the group was currently preparing to be able to release their first mini album during the South Korean summer.[29] On April 6, it was reaffirmed again in an article from "Just Jared" that the group are set to release new music in the summer.[30]
aespa at a press conference for "Next Level" on May 17, 2021
On May 4, SM Entertainment confirmed that aespa are preparing for a May comeback. The exact dates will be released once finalized.[31] On the midnight of May 6, a teaser was posted via the group's social medias announcing the group's comeback entitled "Next Level".[32] Later that same day, it was confirmed that aespa would be coming back with their third digital single titled "Next Level" on May 17.[33] The song is a remake of the song of the same name from the original soundtrack of the movie "Fast & Furious: Hobbs e Shaw".[34]
On May 15, the first video showing the worldview story of the group was released through the group's official YouTube channel.[35][36]
On May 17, it was revealed during the press conference for "Next Level" that the group plans to release their first full-length album soon.[37]
2021 (2): Savage, and "Dreams Come True"
The group for CLIO in August 2021
On July 14, Winter appeared in Kangta's "Free To Fly 2021" music video.[38] On the same day it was announced that the group would collaborate with the game “Eternal Return” by Kakao Games, launching a music video in partnership with the company and also making a presentation at the game's opening ceremony.[39]
On July 23, it was announced that the group had signed with CAA (Creative Artists Agency) to handle its activities in the United States.[40][41]
On September 10, SM Entertainment’s subsidiary EDM label ScreaM Records announced the release of “IScreaM Vol.10 : Next Level Remixes" on September 14.[42]
The group for Vogue Singapore in October 2021
On September 14, the first teaser for the group's second comeback with Savage was revealed. Later that same day, SM Entertainment confirmed that the release was the group's first mini-album which would be released on October 5, with six songs of various genres including the title track of the same name.[43] An online showcase entitled SYNK DIVE: aespa Savage SHOWCASE was held on the same day.[44] On October 5, it was revealed that the album had already reached the milestone of 400,000 copies sold during its pre-order.[45] The title song "Savage" reached the top of all major Korean digital charts.[46]
On October 17, Billboard announced Savage debuted at number 20 on the US Billboard 200 album chart,[47] the highest ranking ever for a K-pop girl group's debut on the chart.[48] On October 21, it was reported that the album had sold 513,292 copies within 15 days of its release.[49]
On October 29, it was announced that Karina would be one of Seoul's tour guides for History Channel's Travel Diary - Soul ; Seoul.[50]
On November 1, it was announced that the group would participate in "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade" in New York, thus becoming the first female K-Pop group to perform on the parade.[51]
aespa receiving their Visionary Award at the CJ ENM Center on December 1, 2021.
On November 4, it was announced that the group would participate in SM’s remastering project and release their own version of S.E.S.’s "Dreams Come True" before the end of 2021.[52]
On November 23, it was also announced that the group was the only girl group selected by CJ ENM as one of six '2021 Visionaries' in the K-entertainment industry. The group was selected for breaking the traditional “fan culture” through avatars/metaverse and opening up new possibilities in the industry.[53]
aespa at Mnet Asian Music Awards Red Carpet on December 11, 2021
On December 10, it was announced that the group would be part of the winter album 2021 Winter SMTOWN : SMCU EXPRESS as part of SMTOWN, the album will be released on December 27, 2021.[54] On December 11 it was revealed that the music video for the group's version of "Dreams Come True" would be released on December 20 as part of the project.[55] On December 12, the first teaser image for "Dreams Come True" was revealed.[56] On the same day it was revealed that on December 23, a video would be released in partnership with YouTube Originals showing the re-creation of the song with the participation of the singer BoA who was the producer, choreographer and art director from the single and Bada from S.E.S.[57][58]
aespa performing their smash hit single "Next Level" at SMTOWN Live 2022 : SMCU Express@Kwangya on January 1, 2022
On December 23, it was revealed that Giselle and Ningning would collaborate on 2021 Winter SMTOWN: SMCU EXPRESS, Giselle on "Zoo" with Taeyong, Jeno, Hendery & Yang Yang from NCT, and Ningning on "Snowy Dream 2021" with Yeri from Red Velvet, Haechan, Chenle & Jisung from NCT.[59]
On December 27, it was revealed that Karina and Winter would be part of the new unit "GOT the beat" from the project Girls On Top alongside BoA, Taeyeon & Hyoyeon from Girls' Generation and Wendy & Seulgi from Red Velvet making their debut with the digital single "Step Back" on January 3, 2022.[60][61][62][63]
2022: Coachella debut, international expansion, and Girls
On January 8, the group became the first artist ever to win the Artist of the Year award at the Golden Disc Awards.[64][65]
On March 25, it was reported that Winter and Ningning would sing an OST for the tvN drama Our Blues.[66]
aespa for TIME Magazine in May 2022
On April 19, SM Entertainment confirmed that aespa would perform in the second week of the 2022 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 23 as part of 88rising's Head in the Clouds Forever showcase, becoming the third K-pop girl group to perform at the festival along with BLACKPINK and 2NE1.[67] The group performed "aenergy", "Black Level", "Savage", "Next Level", and an English version of the unreleased song "Life's Too Short", which will be included in their upcoming album.[68]
On May 12, the group was included in TIME Magazine's Next Generation Leaders list.[69][70] On May 27, the group was also included on Forbes' "30 Under 30" list in the Entertainment and Sports category.[71]
On the midnight of June 1, the group released through their social networks a video revealing that the title of their second mini album would be Girls and would be released on July 8, 2022.[72][73] Later that day, it was announced that aespa had signed a contract with American label Warner Records for their global promotions, becoming the first K-pop group to do so.[74] The group's first English single, "Life's Too Short" would be released on June 24.
The group at SMCU - aespa 'ep. 2 Next Level' Premiere @ KWANGYA at the SM Entertainment building in Changwon on June 19, 2022.
Also on June 1, aespa released the song "Illusion" as a pre-release for their upcoming second mini-album and was selected as Apple Music's 'Up Next' artist for June.[75]
On June 2, the group announced their first ever Japanese showcase tour, titled aespa Japan Premium Showcase 2022 ~ Synk ~, which will be held on August 6 and August 7 at Pia Arena MM in Yokohama, Japan.[76] Five days later, on June 7, Live Nation announced via Twitter that aespa would be holding a North American showcase, titled aespa Showcase Synk in LA, on June 26 and June 27 at the YouTube Theater in Los Angeles, California.[77]
On June 8, 2022, it was reported that physical pre-order sales for Girls exceeded 1 million copies, marking only the second time in K-pop history that a girl group has done so.[78]
On June 20, 2022, the group released the second episode of their SM Culture Universe worldview, titled "Next Level", the episode is 17 minutes long and was released on the group's official YouTube channel.[79]
Members
The members have no official and exact fixed positions, except the leader.
| Name | Avatar | Symbol[80] | Position(s)[81][82] | Years active |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karina (카리나) | æ-Karina | 💙 | Leader, Dancer, Rapper, Vocalist, Visual[83] | 2020–present |
| Giselle (지젤) | æ-Giselle | 🌙 | Rapper, Vocalist | 2020–present |
| Winter (윈터) | æ-Winter | ⭐ | Vocalist, Dancer | 2020–present |
| Ningning (닝닝) | æ-Ningning | 🦋 | Vocalist, Maknae | 2020–present |
Discography
KoreanMini albumsDigital singles
Remix singles
|
EnglishDigital singles
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Concerts
Showcase tours
Fanmeetings
- 2022 aespa FAN MEETING : MY SYNK. aespa (2022)
Concert participation
- SMTOWN Live "Culture Humanity" (2021)
- SMTOWN Live 2022 : SMCU Express@Kwangya (2022)
- SMTOWN Live 2022 : SMCU Express@Tokyo (2022)
Endorsements
On February 10, 2021, it was announced that the group became an ambassador of the French luxury house Givenchy, presenting the collections and major lines of Givenchy creative director Matthew M. Williams.[84] On August 6, 2021, it was announced that the group has been selected to be the new model for Clio Cosmetics.[85] On August 20, 2021, the group's first commercial film for Clio was released.[86] On August 19, 2021, Mediheal posted a teaser citing "Kwangya" in its caption, hinting that the group would soon be unveiled as new models for the brand.[87] They were officially announced as the new models for Mediheal on August 24, 2021,[88] On August 26, 2021, the group was announced as the new advertising model for outdoor brand Eider.[89] On the same day, SM Entertainment stated that the group has been chosen as advertisement models for various industries including gaming, banking, beauty, apparel, and telecommunications. [90] On November 23, 2021, the group was announced by Dispatch Beauty as the new muses for the Italian fragrance label ‘Acqua di Parma’.[91]
- Givenchy (2021-present)
- Eternal Return (2021)
- Clio (2021-present)
- Mediheal (2021-present)
- Eider (2021)
- KB Kookmin Bank (2021-present)
- Acqua di Parma (2021)
- MLB (2022)
- TAMS Zero (2022)
Awards and nominations
- Main article: Awards and nominations received by aespa
Trivia
- Each member has a digital version of themselves, referred to as avatars.[92]
- Ningning is a former Let's Sing Kids 3 contestant.
Gallery
- Main article: aespa/Gallery
References
Official links
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