Photo = SM Entertainment

 

aespa GISELLE explained the connection between the group’s worldview, which has continued since its debut song.

 

aespa held a press conference for the release of its second full-length album ‘LEMONADE’ at the Grand Ballroom of Sofitel Ambassador Seoul on the 28th. On this day, GISELLE revealed, “The lyrics of ‘Next Level’ are all connected to this new song, ‘LEMONADE.’”

 

GISELLE said, “A while ago, NINGNING and I watched our music video track video, and it was fun because we watched it one step back not as aespa GISELLE and NINGNING, but as AERI and NINGYIZHUO,” adding, “If you listen to ‘Next Level,’ there are rules such as ‘Don’t look back’ and ‘Don’t covet the things of Kwangya,’ and all of those connect directly to ‘LEMONADE.’”

 

It was KARINA who explained the story of the new chapter in aespa’s worldview. “We originally had a worldview where we traveled between the virtual world and the real world through something called P.O.S., and in the second chapter that expanded into a multiverse,” she explained. “This time, because we’ve gone back and forth so much, a crack has formed.”

 

She continued, “A crack has appeared in the real world, so everyone is confused and in a panic, but for us, it’s nothing because we already caught Black Mamba in Kwangya and met Naevis,” adding, “The third chapter is about turning that crisis into an opportunity.”

 

When asked about performing at Gocheok Sky Dome, WINTER said, “I had only ever watched concerts at Gocheok Dome before, and even then I thought it was amazing to fill such a large venue and hoped we could become artists like that one day. So it’s hard to believe that we’re entering it while releasing our second full-length album,” adding, “I think it’s thanks to our fans that we’ve been able to gain that level of influence, and it has given me a renewed determination to deliver good energy to them.”

 

Regarding the comeback, KARINA said, “Our first full-length album received so much love that there was pressure, and because of that, this album was created after a lot of discussion and consideration with the company,” adding, “We’ll show an even more grown side of ourselves, so please look forward to it.” NINGNING shared, “You’ll be able to feel aespa’s powerful charm, but also a more relaxed and cool energy at the same time,” adding, “We prepared this confidently, so please give it lots of love.”

 

Since the title track also delivers an empowering message, the members were asked what being “self-driven” means to them. WINTER responded, “It means knowing yourself well and living without worrying about what others think while embracing what you like and love,” adding, “I want to give people the energy to exist as themselves.” KARINA added, “We refer to the various trials and crises that come your way as lemons, and we made our comeback with the motto of turning them into delicious lemonade and drinking it,” adding, “Our ultimate goal is for many people to gain energy from this song.”

 

When asked to give a spoiler for their upcoming Lollapalooza performance, NINGNING said, “We’re still preparing because of the comeback, so we’re very excited too,” adding, “We’ll probably perform a lot of new songs, and they’ll likely be stages that Chicago fans have never seen before.” KARINA added, “Since it’s a festival, I think there will be a lot of stages where we can run around and have fun together with the audience.”

 

aespa, which debuted in November 2020, has led the K-pop scene with its unique worldview and musical spectrum. After winning the Bonsang at the Hanteo Music Awards for four consecutive years from 2022, the group also took home the Grand Prize in 2024, establishing itself as a true representative K-pop artist. With its third mini album ‘MY WORLD’ in 2023, aespa recorded 1,698,784 copies in initial chodong sales, the highest initial chodong sales for a girl group at the time, and with its first full-length album ‘Armageddon’ in 2024, the group also achieved 1,154,742 copies in initial chodong sales, confirming the strong support of its global fandom.

 

aespa’s second full-length album ‘LEMONADE’ is an album that opens a new season of the group’s worldview, and contains a total of 11 tracks across diverse genres, including the title track ‘LEMONADE,’ the pre-release track ‘WDA (Whole Different Animal),’ and ‘Switchblade,’ featuring global hip-hop artist Ty Dolla $ign.

 

aespa’s second full-length album ‘LEMONADE’ will be released through various online music platforms at 1 p.m. on the 29th. Attention is focused on what new chapter aespa, which aims to turn any trial into an opportunity, will open with this album.