aespa Issue Apologies After Facing Scathing Criticism For Their Live Vocals At Recent Event
aespa recently attended the Hongdae University Festival on May 16!
As one of K-Pop’s most popular idol groups, their live performances are always anticipated not just by crowds at the events they perform in, but also by fans online. Unfortunately, their set at the recent festival failed to impress.
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aespa performing at hongik university festival#aespa #에스파 @aespa_official
— aespa Philippines (@aespaMYPH) May 16, 2025
The girl group took the stage and performed several of their hit songs, including “Spicy” which is always deemed a fan favorite. Soon, the performance went viral on X (formerly known as Twitter) but for all the wrong reasons.
aespa performing “Supernova” at Hongik University Festival. pic.twitter.com/Ubx6WdKVCQ
— 윈터얼트 (@wntrult) May 16, 2025
A clip of the girls singing part of the chorus with many high notes and ad-libs is making the rounds online. The video has sparked a lot of criticism and backlash online, with international netizens accusing the members of being off-key.
12 hours of practice for this mess. The superiority complex needs to end for good at this point https://t.co/umSLuCDjGR pic.twitter.com/6uBOuZtTcC
— 🧋 (@szzerafim) May 16, 2025
Working for 20hrs everyday just to still sound like a mess and not to mention how they can’t synchronised to save their lives https://t.co/BC4G5Aut5p
— ྀི (@realyunjinn) May 16, 2025
This why sm always make them lipsync cause they know if they sang live while dancing they sound like shit.
But their fans will be like but but they proved they can sing okay so why are they struggling on live stage. https://t.co/ENt6R0or0h— Tannies shady facts (@CAKEOFKPOP) May 16, 2025
aespa fans defended the girls, claiming that they seemingly suffered from technical problems. In several clips, fans claim Winter and Giselle can be seen trying to communicate with the backstage staff while pointing to their mics. However, the criticism did not let up.
aespa IS MAD MAD. WINTER IS MAD MAD MAD https://t.co/IBGQL3OVqY pic.twitter.com/f6kdF1ZE7x
— cass (@aeiveseu) May 16, 2025
After the performance concluded, Winter and Karina took to the fan messaging app Bubble and spoke about the experience.
Winter apologised to the Hongdae University Festival crowd.
Winter: I messed up.
Winter: I messed up the live.
Winter: I’m sorry, Hongdae.
Karina explained how bad the members felt.
Karina: I’m so, so, so, so upset.
Karina: Aaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!
Karina: I’m really upset…
Karina: At least the rain stopped—thank goodness.
She also shared that it seemed to be a technical problem. The aespa star even said that she would’ve cried if the crowd hadn’t cheered her through it, and the members hadn’t been by her side.
The in-ear problems was that bad…
“If there were no members I would have cried. Of course, I wouldn’t have cried, but that’s what I’m saying!…” 🥲 pic.twitter.com/cW3Z6QfVWZ
— Jazz (@mjkmwntr) May 16, 2025
Karina: In the past, it felt like I had to just dance with my headphones on without singing…!
Karina: I was reminded again of just how important the members are… and how precious the audience is, too… seriously…
Karina: If no one had cheered, I probably would’ve gotten discouraged and wouldn’t have been able to do it… And if the members hadn’t been there, I probably would’ve cried. I mean, of course I wouldn’t have cried, but still! You know what I mean!
Karina: Nobody even said anything yet, and I’m already trying to defend myself.
Karina: LOL
Remains to be seen if the public opinion on the performance will change after the members’ apologies.
