aespa is kicking off their third tour later this year. The group recently completed its second world tour, 'SYNK: PARALLEL LINE,' which spanned Asia, North America, and Europe, solidifying their global presence. They are now set to continue that momentum with an arena tour in Japan and Thailand.
However, fan and public reception has been more mixed regarding aespa's recent releases, "Dirty Work" and "Rich Man," as well as their new, more experimental musical direction and performance quality on international stages. This has created a mix of anticipation and challenges for the group's future.
aespa began the second half of the year with the release of the single "Dirty Work" on June 27, followed by "Rich Man" on July 5. "Rich Man" marked a departure from their previous futuristic concept, embracing a darker, more sophisticated vibe. Notably, "Dirty Work" surpassed 1.01 million pre-orders, becoming their sixth million-selling album. This follows the success of "Girls" (2022), "My World" (2023), "Drama" (2023), "Armageddon" (2024), and "Whiplash" (2024).
"Rich Man" also quickly surpassed 1.11 million pre-orders, securing their seventh million-seller album. The group has also performed exceptionally well on global charts. "Rich Man" reached the top 10 on the iTunes Top Albums chart in 29 regions and hit number one on both the overall and EP digital album sales charts on China's QQ Music, earning a "Platinum" certification (for sales exceeding 1 million yuan). The song also topped various other global charts, including Trendpeak, Kugou Music's digital album sales chart, Tencent Music's K-POP chart, and Japan's AWA real-time trending chart.
Despite their commercial success, the group's music and performances have received mixed reviews. While the new singles showcased a musical shift away from their previous concept, some critics argue that the new tracks "lack aespa's unique, powerful impact" and that "the experimental attempt is good, but the song's structure is disappointing."
This debate was fueled by their performance on ABC's flagship morning show, Good Morning America (GMA). Following the broadcast, the group faced accusations of lip-syncing and criticism that the four-member stage, without dancers, felt underwhelming. While limitations with broadcast environments and scheduling may be a factor, aespa's on-stage presence remains a challenge. The group has also been criticized for lip-syncing at past university festivals.
Despite the criticism, aespa continues to maintain a strong domestic and international fanbase, consistently showing their influence on global charts. They have also won awards at major ceremonies, including the Korean Music Awards, solidifying their position as a leading fourth-generation girl group.
An industry insider commented, "This is a turning point and a test for aespa. Their willingness to try new things rather than sticking to their existing concept is a positive sign. However, it's also a time when they need to find a balance between establishing a new musical identity, perfecting their performance quality, and maintaining public appeal."
aespa officially kicked off its third world tour, 2025 aespa 'LIVE TOUR - SYNK : aeXIS LINE,' with a three-day concert series from June 29 to 31 at Seoul's KSPO DOME. The tour is set to continue with 15 shows in venues with a capacity of over 10,000, starting in Fukuoka on October 4, followed by shows in Tokyo, Aichi, and Bangkok's Impact Arena.
It is reported that the group will not be attending the year-end music awards shows and will instead focus on their tour schedule.
SEE ALSO: aespa wins with “Rich Man” on ‘Inkigayo’ + performances from HAECHAN, TREASURE, and more!
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