On May 8th, aespa members Giselle, Karina, Ningning, and Winter departed through Incheon International Airport en route to the SMTOWN concert in Mexico. 

A large crowd of fans and media gathered at the airport to catch a glimpse of the group. Amid the chaos, member Ningning was unexpectedly assaulted by a woman, sparking outrage among fans.

As Ningning, wearing a cap and walking swiftly toward the boarding gate, made her way through the terminal, a blonde-haired woman deliberately shoved her while passing by. 

Another woman, seemingly accompanying the assailant, was seen standing nearby, laughing at the incident. The woman who hit Ningning did not offer an apology and quickly disappeared into the crowd. Ningning, visibly shocked, turned around in disbelief.

Footage of the incident circulated online, showing the woman approaching Ningning despite having ample space around her, forcefully bumping her shoulder and body. Ningning appeared visibly upset, shaking her head in disbelief. What further fueled the backlash was the apparent lack of intervention from the bodyguards present.

Fans took to online communities, sharing photos and videos of the encounter. Many criticized SM Entertainment and the security personnel for their negligence. Comments included: "What were the bodyguards doing?", "Women's safety should be a top priority", "What if something worse had happened to Ningning?", "Where did the security staff go?", and "That woman and her friend clearly did it on purpose."

aespa, a multinational girl group that debuted in November 2020, has consistently gained global attention with hits like 'Next Level,' 'Black Mamba,' 'Savage,' 'Supernova,' 'Shiplash,' and 'Hot Mess.' The group was also named among the '25 Most Influential Women of 2023' by the Financial Times.

This incident has renewed calls for stronger security measures for artists in public settings, especially female idols, whose safety remains a growing concern in the entertainment industry.

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