Aespa Faces Intense Backlash for Unexpected Move at Melon Music Awards
aespa is facing backlash for their reaction to an old award video at the 2025 Melon Music Awards.
The controversy began at the Seoul event on December 20, where aespa picked up three trophies. Before announcing this year’s Daesang winners, Melon played a highlight reel showing past recipients — including aespa’s 2021 “Record of the Year” win.
In the clip, aespa members sport their “Savage” era looks. Fans then shared behind-the-scenes footage of the group watching the video during the ceremony. In one viral TikTok with over 800,000 views, members Giselle and Winter are seen laughing hysterically at their own old award moment.
The reaction struck a nerve with Korean netizens. One X (formerly Twitter) post with 4 million views slammed aespa for their behavior at an official event.
또 공식석상에서 이지랄하네 ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
— 니엄마 (@o4onhn) December 21, 2025
There they go doing this shit again at an official event lmao.
— @o4onhn on X
The user was referencing a similar incident from May’s 2025 ASEA, when aespa members laughed uncontrollably after Karina mispronounced their group name. That moment sparked heavy criticism, especially since it came days after Karina was accused of supporting conservative candidate Kim Moon Soo during elections.
: In the future aespo…aespo? aespa *laugh*
: In the future…aespa *laugh*
: Pls give aespa a lot of love in the futureNOT AESPA KEEP LAUGHING BCS THEY MISPRONOUNCED THEIR GROUP NAME. THEY’RE SO UNSERIOUS PLS
More netizens criticized aespa’s visual changes since 2021 shown in the video, accusing the members of excessive plastic surgery.
지금이랑 와꾸달라서그럼
— D (@D6710787670605) December 21, 2025
It’s because their faces look different from now.
— @D6710787670605 on X
성형 전이니까
— 저요 (@yangdo636370) December 21, 2025
Because it’s from before plastic surgery.
— @yangdo636370 on X
ㅇㅇ 나도 내 쌍수전 사진보면 저렇게 반응함
— 호모사피엔스 (@homosapiens0910) December 21, 2025
Yeah, I react like that too when I see photos of myself from before my double-eyelid surgery.
— @homosapiens0910 on X
나같아도 세팅전 과사나옴 개놀람
— 지폭이 (@choegyeong44479) December 21, 2025
I’d be shocked too if my old photos from before my image was set got dug up.
— @choegyeong44479 on X
Last month, aespa’s visual transformations sparked fierce international debate, with some accusing them of heavy plastic surgery while others defended it as makeup and aging.
This isn’t the only backlash from this year’s Melon Music Awards. Giselle also faced criticism for allegedly disrespecting BLACKPINK’s Jennie during a performance.
aespa is under fire again at official events. The group’s reactions and public image keep stirring debate. More updates expected as netizens continue reacting.