TEST BLOG POST

2020–2021: Introduction, debut, and Savage

On October 26, 2020, SM Entertainment announced that it would debut a new girl group, its first since Red Velvet in 2014 and its first overall idol group since NCT in 2016.^[4][5] The group's name and members were revealed individually starting on October 27 (in order: Winter, Karina, Ningning, and Giselle).^[6] SM Entertainment founder Lee Soo-man explained the group's concept at the 2020 World Cultural Industry Forum on October 28.^[7] A video trailer featuring all four members was revealed on November 2,^[8] alongside the announcement of the release of Aespa's debut single, "Black Mamba", on November 17.^[9] The group made their broadcast debut on KBS2's Music Bank on November 20 to perform "Black Mamba".^[10] The song reached number one on the K-pop music video charts of China's biggest music-streaming service, QQ Music, for three consecutive weeks^[11] and earned Aespa their first music show win on SBS's Inkigayo on January 17, 2021.^[12]

On January 29, 2021, SM Entertainment announced Aespa would release a remake of "Forever", the single originally by Yoo Young-jin for SM Entertainment's 2000 holiday album Winter Vacation in SMTOWN.com.^[13] Aespa's version of the song, a "mid-tempo ballad characterized by acoustic guitar sound" with "warm lyrics about promising forever to a loved one",^[14] was released on February 5 that year.^[15]

On May 4, 2021, SM Entertainment announced Aespa would release a new single titled "Next Level", describing the song as a dance and hip-hop track with a "groovy" rap, "energetic" bass, and "powerful vocals".^[16][17] It was released on May 17.^[18] It debuted at number nine on the Gaon Digital Chart and peaked at number two, becoming their first top five hit in South Korea.^[19] "Next Level" became Aespa's third song to chart on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart peaking at number 3.^[20] On July 22, 2021, Aespa was announced to have signed with Creative Artists Agency for their future activities in United States.^[21][22] On September 10, 2021, it was announced that remix versions of "Next Level" will be released on September 14, along with a music video and a visualizer video for "Next Level (IMLAY Remix)".^[23]

On September 14, 2021, SM Entertainment announced Aespa will release their first extended play, Savage. The album contains six tracks, including the lead single of the same name.^[24] It was released on October 5.^[25] The extended play marked Aespa's first and highest entry on the US Billboard 200, peaking at number 20, and debuted atop the Gaon Album Chart.^[26] Within 15 days of release, it was reported that the mini-album sold 513,292 copies.^[27] The group performed at the 2021 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, making them the first Korean girl group to perform at the event.^[28] On December 2, Aespa won their first Daesang (Stage of the Year) at the Asia Artist Awards.^[29] Two days later, on December 4, the group won their second Daesang at the 2021 Melon Music Awards for Record of the Year.^[30]

Aespa in November 2021

On November 4, it was announced that Aespa would be releasing a remake of S.E.S.'s "Dreams Come True", to release in December 20.^[31] The music video for the song was directed by Lucid colour, choreographed by BoA, and featured original holographic butterflies and wings seen in S.E.S' video.^[32] The song peaked at number 17 on the Gaon Digital Chart and at number seven on the Billboard World Digital Songs chart.^[33][34]

On December 26, members Karina and Winter were revealed as members of the supergroup Got the Beat.^[35] The group debuted with the single "Step Back" on January 3, 2022.^[36]

2022: Coachella performance and Girls

On January 8, the group became the inaugural winner of the Artist of the Year award at the Golden Disc Awards.^[37][38]

On April 19, 2022, it was announced that Aespa would be performing at Coachella on April 23, during the second week of the annual music festival. Their setlist included "Savage", "Next Level", "Black Mamba", and an English version of a then-unreleased song titled "Life's Too Short", which was revealed to be from their then-upcoming EP.^[39][40]

On May 12, the group was included in Time magazine's Next Generation Leaders list.^[41][42] On May 27, the group was also included on Forbes' 30 Under 30.^[43]

On June 1, 2022, SM Entertainment announced that Aespa signed with Warner Records. They also announced that Aespa would release their second extended play, Girls, on July 8. It was set to contain nine tracks, including the title track of the same name; their first two singles, "Black Mamba" and "Forever"; and "Dreams Come True", which was previously released as part of the 2021 Winter SMTOWN: SMCU Express album in December 2021. Two other tracks on Girls, "Illusion" and "Life's Too Short" (English version), preceded the EP and was released on June 1 and 24, respectively.^[44][45]

On July 1, 2022, it was reported that Aespa would be attending the 'UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) 2022' on July 5, 2022. They would make a speech accompanied by performance.^[46]