Petition To Ban Aespa Approaches 90,000 Signatures, SM Entertainment’s Reply Fails To Impress

aespa is facing controversy over a petition to ban them from Japan’s famous end-of-year show, Kohaku.

The controversy began after member Ningning shared a photo of her room with an atomic bomb model light. She posted, “I bought a cute light, what do you think?” Japanese netizens quickly reacted. They said it was insensitive and trivialized the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Soon after, a petition on Change.com to block aespa from performing gained thousands of supporters. It has now reached 86,000 signatures.

SM Entertainment responded through NHK. They said the group had no intention of offending anyone.

“They acknowledged awareness of the matter and conveyed that, according to the agency, the member had no intention of disregarding or mocking the victims of the atomic bombings.”
— NHK

Despite this, the backlash continues. aespa are still scheduled to perform at Kohaku.

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