Aespa Named Second Worst Performers After Controversial “Kohaku Uta Gassen” Appearance
aespa is facing controversy after being named the second most disappointing female performers at the 76th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen, according to a Japanese survey by Josei Jishin.
The group made their first-ever Kōhaku appearance on December 31, 2025. While the event itself had high ratings and a star-studded lineup for NHK’s 100th anniversary, not all performances were well-received.
The controversy started when a 2022 post from Chinese member Ningning showed a lamp resembling a mushroom cloud. In Japan, this image triggered backlash for evoking nuclear explosion memories. Petitions even demanded aespa’s removal from the show.
Ningning missed the performance due to influenza. The other three members performed alone.
When their participation was announced, controversy quickly arose over a post made in 2022 by Chinese member Ningning (23) on a fan app, which featured a tabletop lamp resembling a mushroom cloud.
In Japan the “mushroom cloud lamp,” which evoked images of nuclear explosions, immediately sparked widespread backlash. The controversy grew to the point where petitions calling for the group to withdraw from Kōhaku were launched. In the end, Ningning canceled her appearance due to influenza, and the remaining three members performed instead.
— Josei Jishin
Viewers expressed mixed feelings about the group still appearing despite the backlash.
| @aespa_official/X (formerly known as Twitter)
aespa performing “Whiplash” at NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen (Twitter video)
Many Japanese netizens felt aespa should have withdrawn amid the controversy.
‘In a way, it’s impressive that they still went on despite all that criticism.’ (Woman, 50s)
‘Since it’s Kōhaku, I can accept a certain level of controversy, but after seeing everything on social media, I think it might have been better for them to withdraw this time.’ (Man, 60s)
‘They appeared without properly addressing the atomic bomb issue and ended up singing a song that didn’t make much sense to me.’ (Woman, 60s)
— Josei Jishin
| Josei Jishin
The incident clearly left a negative impression on many viewers, impacting aespa’s reception at the high-profile year-end show.