Aespa, Riize, NCT Wish, Hearts2Hearts, and the trainee team SMTR25 — showcased their star power at the ‘TIMA 2025 (TMElive International Music Awards)’, one of China’s largest music award shows organized by Tencent Music Entertainment Group. The event was held over two nights, August 22–23, 2025 CST, at Galaxy Arena in Macau.
On the first day, Aespa, Riize, and Hearts2Hearts delivered dynamic performances. Aespa impressed with hit tracks ‘Dirty Work’, ‘Whiplash’, and ‘Supernova’, along with the dreamlike ‘Flights, Not Feelings’ and sultry ‘Thirsty’. Riize energized the arena with ‘Fly Up’, ‘Boom Boom Bass’, and ‘Get A Guitar’, followed by the addictive hip-hop vibe of ‘Bag Bad Back’ and the emotional ‘Love 119’. They capped their set with a charismatic cover of EXO’s ‘Monster’, drawing huge cheers. Hearts2Hearts presented a mystical stage with ‘The Chase’, spread positivity with ‘STYLE’, and delighted fans with a refreshing cover of Girls’ Generation’s ‘Gee’.
On the second day, NCT Wish brought their signature freshness through ‘Surf’ and ‘poppop’, then turned up the energy with powerful numbers including ‘Dunk Shot’, ‘NASA’, ‘Hands Up’, and ‘Melt Inside My Pocket’. SMTR25, made up of SM trainees, showcased a special tribute performance commemorating SM’s 30th anniversary, previously revealed at ‘SMTOWN LIVE 2025’, and heightened the stage with a fierce rendition of EXO’s ‘Wolf’.
The awards further highlighted SM’s dominance at the ceremony. Aespa achieved a triple crown with International Group of the Year, International Digital Album of the Year, and International Digital EP of the Year. Riize was named Breakthrough International Group of the Year, while NCT Wish earned Rising International Group of the Year, proving the strong global presence of SM’s next-generation acts.
The excitement doesn’t stop there. Aespa will release their sixth mini-album ‘Rich Man’ on September 5, 2025 KST. Riize are currently on their first world tour ‘Riizing Loud’, and NCT Wish will return on September 1, 2025 KST with their third mini-album ‘COLOR’.
SEE ALSO: Former SM trainee Kim Yoon Yi reflects on training with aespa and Hearts2Hearts
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