Why AESPA Faces Unpopularity Amidst Its Global Success
Despite their recent success with the release of MY World and the album's title track Spicy, some fans and critics still view the Korean pop group AESPA as an unpopular entity. This article delves into the factors that contribute to the unpopularity of AESPA, predominantly focusing on the Kwangya concept and fan interactions within the K-pop space.
The Popularity of AESPA
It's important to acknowledge that despite the reasons mentioned, Aespa has been experiencing significant success. They recently released their full-length album MY World and the title track Spicy, which has already broken first-day album sales records and garnered an impressive 19.6 million views within 24 hours. The group's future engagements include performances at major festivals like Outside Lands Music Festival in San Francisco and the Governor’s Ball Music Festival in New York. Additionally, Aespa is set to embark on their first world tour in the summer of 2023, visiting 14 cities across the US, Europe, and Latin America. Notably, they have also become the global ambassadors for luxury brands Givenchy and Chopard.
The Reason Behind the Unpopularity: Kwangya Concept
One of the primary reasons for the unpopularity of AESPA is the Kwangya concept enforced by their management, SM Entertainment. This concept often involves deep, introspective lyrics that some fans find difficult to relate to or understand.
Aespa’s songs frequently incorporate themes of 'naevis', 'synk dive', and 'ae', which can be somewhat obscure and lacking in meaningful context. Fans who struggle with these themes often prefer Aespa’s slower, more introspective tracks like “Life’s Too Short” and “Hold on Tight”, which delve more into relatable emotions and narratives. However, these tracks are not as consistent with the Kwangya concept and therefore do not receive the same attention or praise as the more concept-driven songs.
Another aspect that detracts from the popularity of Aespa is the perception of the members as overly edited. While the extent of cosmetic enhancements or surgeries is debatable, the visual representation of Aespa members is often criticized for looking too perfect, which can detract from the authenticity of the group. This has led to a significant discussion on K-pop aesthetics and the pressure on performers to fit certain beauty standards.
Impact of the Kwangya Concept on Aespa’s Popularity
The Kwangya concept has had a significant impact on the group’s reception across the globe. Critics argue that the constant focus on these enigmatic themes risks overshadowing the talent of the individual members and the quality of their music. While the concept might be seen as creative, it often leaves listeners feeling alienated and disconnected from the artists and their narratives.
Lyrics penned by the Kwangya concept can be cryptic and difficult to follow, potentially turning off listeners who prefer straightforward, relatable song lyrics. For instance, passages like the following from some of their tracks can be seen as unnecessarily complex and unapproachable:
“I’m a killa who will break you aen
You’re still hiding and hallucinating n
Push me in deep fake on men
Fake on men
Cold spectators are collapsed ae n
Gimme gimme nown
I can see your words your weakness algorithm Zu-zu-zu-zun
Steaming its steaming steaming its steaming Zu-zu-zu-zun
MA ae SYNK dont bother me and bog off savage Zu-zu-zu-zun
Im going to KWANGYA game inn
Defeating a subtle alienationn
And making me drift apart from my aen
Your satisfying trickn
We gone KWANGYA game inn
Cut it down my sword of light SAVAGE”
These lyrics, while creative, can be intimidating to those who prefer simpler, more accessible songwriting. Fans often feel that the group is jeopardizing their authenticity and artistic integrity in favor of a high-concept, mystifying image that potentially alienates and confuses a wide audience.
Conclusion
While Aespa has achieved a significant level of success with their music and performances, the Kwangya concept remains a contentious issue. The group’s popularity is splitting along these lines, with some fans deeply engaged and others turned off by the enigmatic imagery and lyrics. As the debate surrounding K-pop aesthetics and concept-driven music continues, Aespa will likely remain a polarizing group, with each fan group finding solace in the lyrics and themes that resonate most with them.