When aespa burst onto the scene in 2020, the world took notice — not just of their powerful vocals and futuristic visuals, but of their revolutionary concept. With their 2021 hit Next Level, the group didn’t just release a song — they launched a conversation about the future of K-Pop.

We sat down with Karina, Winter, Giselle, and Ningning to discuss how Next Level became a cultural shift, what it means to navigate a hybrid world of avatars and reality, and how they’re reshaping the limits of sound and identity in the K-pop universe.

“Next Level wasn’t just a song. It was a mission.”

sori.: Let’s start with ‘Next Level.’ The structure was so unexpected — it broke rules but still charted globally. What was your reaction when you first heard the demo?

Karina: We were shocked, honestly. It didn’t follow the typical verse-chorus format. But I think that’s what made it exciting. We knew it would challenge listeners and make them curious.

Giselle: Yeah, we called it our “plot twist song.” There are tempo changes, tonal shifts — almost like it’s multiple songs in one. But it reflects our concept perfectly: multi-dimensional, unpredictable, and, well… next level.

Living with æ-versions: “We’re not just idols — we’re avatars, too.”

sori.: aespa’s concept includes virtual versions of yourselves, the æ-members. How do you balance that duality?

Winter: At first it was strange. We’re used to expressing ourselves through dance and singing, but now we also have to think digitally — how our æ-selves move, speak, even exist online.

Ningning: But it’s really fun! The æ-members let us explore another version of ourselves. It’s like being in a K-drama and a sci-fi movie at the same time.

Karina: It also reflects how fans live today — split between real life and digital spaces. We’re just giving that idea a voice in K-pop.

“We mix everything — trap, EDM, R&B — and call it aespa.”

sori.: Your sound blends multiple genres. Was that a deliberate choice?

Giselle: Absolutely. We didn’t want to be limited to one genre. One track can have trap beats, the next feels like hyper-pop. Next Level felt cinematic, almost like an OST.

Winter: Our producers give us a lot of freedom to experiment. We don’t just want catchy songs — we want experiences.

On criticism, confidence, and carving new paths

sori.: There was some hesitation from the public when ‘Next Level‘ first dropped. How did you handle that?

Karina: We expected that. It’s always risky to do something new. But we believed in the song and in ourselves. And over time, it paid off.

Ningning: Now when we hear fans singing it back at concerts, it feels like we built something bigger than a hit — we built a sound that people recognize instantly.

Final thoughts: What’s next for aespa?

sori.: What’s one word that describes aespa’s direction in 2025?

All: (in unison) Evolution.

Giselle: We’re always learning, always shifting. Whether it’s with music, visuals, or how we connect with fans, we want to stay ahead of what’s coming next.