aespa Shock Fans With Completely Redesigned Lightstick, Sparking Mixed Reactions
aespa have surprised fans with the reveal of the second version of their official lightstick. Instead of keeping the original design and making small updates, SM Entertainment shockingly unveiled something entirely different, that even their biggest fans didn’t see coming.
Unlike most groups’ “Version 2” lightsticks — which usually only tweak brightness or add subtle design features — aespa’s new one takes a bold turn. Gone is the standard dome-like structure that most fans are used to. In its place is a shape many immediately compared to… a pretzel?
“It looks like the aespa lightstick pretzel” its official we’re calling it pretzelbong pic.twitter.com/By0ArkOv35
— 👽🎸 (@icurina) August 18, 2025
🥨#aespa #FANLIGHT #ペンライト #応援棒 https://t.co/JFOwNfBTQJ pic.twitter.com/y6wA08R9eI
— 나지₃배치₄🍔 (@taetae89mar09NJ) August 18, 2025
kaya ini https://t.co/V8ddq7GfuV pic.twitter.com/TJRvhsYAUZ
— nasy♡🍉🎸 (@rrnebae) August 18, 2025
The design left some puzzled at first, with many questioning how it connected to aespa’s image or concept. But soon after, fans began pointing out the resemblance to the letters “a” and “e” when joined together. Since aespa often stylize their name with a connected “æ,” the unusual structure started to make a bit more sense.
anyone have any idea what the lightstick design is supposed to be? pic.twitter.com/56uDKMONqi
— busy cow (@anovacow) August 18, 2025
Oh the one who made the design of aespa's new lightstick is indeed smart
If you rotate the sticks like this, you'll get a letter "a" and "e", so if you combine, you'll get "ae" 😁
And also the color aurora 🥺 pic.twitter.com/dN07kozLEO
— S (slow) (@winteraphy) August 18, 2025
Even with that explanation, reactions remain split. Some fans say the redesign feels too unusual and doesn’t carry the same vibe as the original. Others argue that it’s creative, unique, and fits aespa’s tendency to stand out in unconventional ways.
When I saw the flower petal–shaped thumbnail: “Ooh…”
After watching the whole thing: “Ugh…”— Fan via X
꽃잎모양썸네일봤을때 : 오오..
다보고난후 : 우우…👎🏻 https://t.co/gr69b3QvGj— 𝒉. (@lncrrpclesu) August 18, 2025
This is the first time a ver2 of a lightstick changed entirely???😭 this one is way better than v1 and more aespa imo https://t.co/npyMuabNpX
— deyan. (@tonspoutnik) August 18, 2025
the real mys understand the lightstick’s new design so non mys keep your unwanted opinions to yourself pic.twitter.com/19wKHUve89
— 윈터얼트 (@wntrult) August 18, 2025
The lightstick reveal comes just ahead of the group’s upcoming third world tour, AExis Line. The tour will begin with three back-to-back concerts in Seoul on August 29, 30, and 31. Anticipation is already high, as aespa are expected to preview new performances and tracks during the shows before officially dropping their comeback mini album Rich Man on September 5.
Whether the lightstick becomes a fan favorite or remains divisive, it has certainly captured attention — just like the aespa members themselves often do.
