Petition Calling for Aespa’s Performance Ban Sparks Widespread Reactions

aespa is facing controversy after a petition to ban them from Japan’s Kohaku went viral.

The controversy began when a member of aespa purchased a light shaped like an atomic bomb. She showed it off in her room, posting, “I bought a cute light, what do you think?” The item recreated a tragic moment when many citizens of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were killed. Japanese netizens felt this was disrespectful and trivialized a historic tragedy.

Soon after, a petition demanding aespa’s suspension from Kohaku appeared online and quickly trended. The petition read:

We demand the suspension of aespa’s appearance on Kohaku. Please cooperate with the online petition.

aespaの紅白出場停止を求めます。
オンライン署名にご協力ください。https://t.co/P8zc8XBQaN pic.twitter.com/00wt0hcBCz

— DEATHDOL NOTE (@DEATHDOL_NOTE) November 17, 2025

Japanese fans argue that allowing aespa to perform on such a traditional stage might imply approval of the controversial behavior.

Korean netizens reacted differently, with many feeling it’s better aespa skip the show:

“Just because it’s Japan, it doesn’t mean there aren’t any trolls. It’s the same everywhere. aespa has a lot of Japanese fans, so it probably doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter if they go on Kohaku or not. They’re going to perform at the Tokyo Dome and Kyocera Dome for the first time; it doesn’t matter if trolls fight.”

Others were even more blunt:

“I’m always like, so what, when I see people like that. The show isn’t as famous as it was ten years ago, and it’s not as great as it used to be. I’d rather they not appear on the show if they’re going to be treated that way. They’re successful in Japan and already popular in Korea.”

“That’s only a blow to those who don’t have a fandom big enough to fill the Tokyo Dome. aespa is a fourth-gen group with a really strong fandom, so who cares.”