aespa: "We love seeing different cultures connecting through K-pop"

The UK's love affair with K-pop shows no signs of slowing down, and few groups are helping lead the charge quite like aespa. They’re going in all the way, no stepping on the brakes.

Fresh from earning their first-ever Official Singles Chart entry and the release of LEMONADE - The 2nd Album, KARINA, GISELLE, WINTER and NINGNING are taking their most ambitious era yet to fans across the globe.

As they prepare to embark on their SYNK : COMPLæXITY world tour, we sit down with the K-pop powerhouse to talk the genre's meteoric rise, dream UK collaborators and the music driving the next chapter of aespa.

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Hey, aespa! Congratulations on the release of LEMONADE - The 2nd Album. How does this record differ to your debut, Armageddon?

KARINA: Both Armageddon and LEMONADE showcase aespa’s signature bold and distinctive sound, but I think LEMONADE adds a sharper sense of wit and an electrifying, sour edge to that energy. While it still has the powerful intensity that many fans associate with aespa, this album explores a wider range of sounds and moods, allowing us to show new sides of ourselves and push our musical identity even further. 
 
WINTER: I think LEMONADE expands our lore and storytelling in a much bigger way. It still has the strong, powerful energy that defines aespa, but there’s also a more refined message and a new sense of direction running through the album.

As it’s a full-length album, it captures a wide spectrum of emotions and styles - from intense, heavy-hitting tracks to more playful and energetic songs. I hope listeners feel that LEMONADE opens another new chapter for aespa.

What are each of your favourite tracks from the album and why?

KARINA: My favourite from the album is My Plan. It’s really my style so I naturally keep going back to it.

GISELLE: I’d choose Camouflage. It has this soft, dreamy atmosphere that feels really comforting whenever I listen to it. It’s the kind of song that quietly lifts your mood, so I hope fans can enjoy it in those moments when they want something a little more relaxed. 

WINTER: I’d pick LEMONADE. Since it’s the title track, I feel like it really shows the overall vibe and color of the album. The Becky G version has a different charm too, so I think it’d be fun for fans to listen to both and compare them. 

NINGNING: For me, WDA (Whole Different Animal) (ft. G-DRAGON) is the song I feel the most connected to on this album. It really matches the style of music I usually enjoy, so it’s my favorite track.

You have some amazing collaborators on the album, but if you had to choose one track each and a British artist to feature on it, who would they be and what song?

KARINA: I’m a huge fan of Olivia Dean, so honestlyI’d love to collaborate with her on anything! But, if I had to choose one song from the album, it would be Camouflage.

GISELLE: For me, YUNGBLUD would be a great fit for ‘Til We Die.

WINTER: I think PinkPantheress would sound amazing on “Camouflage.” 

NINGNING: A. G. Cook on Camouflage would be such an exciting collaboration. I listen to his music a lot and really love his work, so it would be amazing to work with him.

K-pop's seen such huge growth in the UK in recent years, why do you think that is?

GISELLE: Every time we visit the UK, I’m reminded of how much K-pop is loved there, and it still amazes me. What’s especially exciting is seeing people from completely different cultural backgrounds connect through the same music. Watching those cultures naturally come together is really meaningful and makes me incredibly happy.

WINTER: At first, it felt surprising and almost unreal to see K-pop being embraced so widely outside of Korea. But now, what I feel most is gratitude. It's amazing to see so many people enjoying our music together, and it makes me happy to know that music can create connections that go beyond language and culture.

NINGNING: It’s so exciting to see K-pop reach so many people around the world. I especially love it when fans dance along to our songs and enjoy the performances together!

What can MY expect from the SYNK : COMPLæXITY tour? How will it be bigger and better than the last?

GISELLE: SYNK : COMPLæXITY is going to feel very different from anything we've done before. We're heading to new cities, preparing new stages, and working on a setlist that allows us to show different sides of aespa than we've shown before. The tour is also closely tied to the story of LEMONADE.

The album introduces a new shift in aespa's world, and we'll be bringing that journey to life on stage through the performances, visuals, and overall concert experience. So whether you're a fan of the music, the performances, or the lore, I think there will be something special waiting for you.
 
KARINA: Before the world tour officially kicks off, we'll be taking the stage at Lollapalooza Chicago this August, and we're incredibly excited about it. Since it's our first time performing at the festival, we've been preparing with a lot of anticipation and energy. One thing I can tease is that we'll be unveiling performances that fans haven't seen anywhere else before.

We're also planning to give audiences a first look at some of the new songs from LEMONADE in a live setting, which makes this performance even more special for us. It's going to be a very special show, and we're very much looking forward to seeing everyone in Chicago!

And finally, ahead of your much-anticipated return to our shores, what are your favourite things about the UK?

KARINA: Big Ben! I saw it at night on a rainy day, and it was so beautiful. I really loved the vibe of it all.

GISELLE: For me, it’s British music - especially rock - and the whole punk aesthetic.

WINTER: What stands out to me is the classic feel the cities have. I also really love the energy and sense of freedom the fans bring when we perform there.

NINGNING: I think it’s really impressive that the UK is the birthplace of Shakespeare!

When is aespa's SYNK : COMPLæXITY tour coming to the UK?

Catch aespa at Manchester's AO Arena on January 14 2027 and The O2, London on January 16 2027.

aespa's LEMONADE - The 2nd Album is out now via SM Entertainment.

Tickets for aespa's SYNK : COMPLæXITY tour are available now.