Netizens Discuss Whether Aespa’s Shift From KWANGYA and AI Concept Was the Right Choice

aespa has been stirring up online debates recently, with fans and netizens discussing whether the group’s shift away from their original AI-driven concept was a smart move. Since debuting in 2020 with Black Mamba, the girl group introduced a distinct identity based on an AI concept. Their name itself reflects this—‘æ’ stands for ‘Avatar X Experience,’ while ‘aspect’ hints at duality. Early aespa’s music and visuals leaned heavily on SM Entertainment’s classic SMP (SM Performance) style, blending experimental sounds with storytelling set in multiple universes.

However, the release of MY WORLD marked a noticeable change. This shift seems to coincide with the departure of SM founder Lee Soo Man and longtime producer Yoo Young Jin, who had been instrumental in shaping aespa’s early narrative-rich and futuristic style. After management disputes led to their exit from SM, aespa’s image took a turn towards a more grounded, darker high-teen vibe, moving away from the intense AI and narrative-driven themes.

Fans have also described the group’s newer style as having a "metallic vibe"—a metaphor for a colder, edgier, and harder aesthetic compared to their earlier concept. This metallic feel contrasts with the more fantastical elements that fans admired during the KWANGYA universe phase.

On online forums, voices expressing regret over the change are common. One netizen shared their thoughts:

"aespa should have just stuck with the AI concept. Why did they switch to the metallic vibe ㅠㅠ The AI, futuristic concept was so unique, but the metallic theme feels kind of generic. Even if it was a bit cringy, I liked it better when they were doing the KWANGYA universe and Karina was doing rocket punches."

Many others echoed that sentiment, expressing nostalgia for aespa’s early narrative-rich storytelling and their innovative KWANGYA world—some even went as far as imagining what aespa might have been like if modern projects such as the film KPop Demon Hunters had captured their AI storylines.

Despite all this, SM Entertainment has stated that the KWANGYA concept was never completely dropped, but rather set aside temporarily as aespa shifted focus back to a “real world” image to rest and regroup.

"Going forward, I still want aespa to be defined as aespa. I believe the music and concepts they pursue are uniquely their own, and with their own approach and expression, they will continue to expand beyond KWANGYA into an infinite world." Cho Woo Chul

Some fans argue aespa always had a touch of that metallic hardness from the beginning, given their bold lyrics and strong girl-crush energy, which aligns with the “harder edge” image they display now. Others agree that while they prefer the magical, AI-driven concept, the group’s current darker, more action-oriented style—with hints of aggression and physicality—still works and even attracts new listeners.

Reactions to aespa’s newest track, Dirty Work, have been mixed. Some feel it represents the farthest departure from the AI and KWANGYA world, while others think it’s actually softer in tone compared to earlier, intense songs like Savage, Girls, and Whiplash.

Online comments capture the variety of opinions:

"If they had stuck with the AI concept, aespa probably would’ve been the group in ‘K-pop Demon Hunters’ instead of TWICE"

"Feels like just yesterday the members were saying there were 8 of them including the ae characters, and now 4 are gone"

"Honestly, I’m kinda sad the lyrics don’t mention KWANGYA anymore ㅜ nævis used to be this mysterious figure, but after the solo debut, it all got weird… Personally, ever since Lee Soo Man left, aespa lost its magic for meㅜ"

"Yeah, the new song’s not it. The music video is flashy, but that’s about it"

"I feel kinda let down too… Sure, the new concept works and the members look great, and the songs have broader appeal, but I still can’t forget how impactful the KWANGYA universe was"

"Ever since Lee Soo Man left, that distinct SM vibe is gone… Yoo Young Jin used to get so much hate, but his sound defined SM. Even if I wasn’t a fan, I could still feel it in my bones when his style came through"

"I loved ‘Supernova’ and ‘Armageddon’ so much, but this new song has no hook… feels like it lacks mass appeal. Am I the only one who’s not into it?ㅠ"

"SM never seems to finish a universe storyline properly. Looks like aespa is the same"

"After BLACKPINK, the girl-crush concept became totally mainstream. Now that groups have more experience, they all seem to go that route and there’s not much variety. Maybe that’s why NewJeans caused such a buzz when they debuted, for being so different"

"The Creator (Lee Soo Man) left, so the KWANGYA storyline ended a long time ago"

"The metallic sound worked way better though, and they even won Daesangs with it?"

"Back when Lee Soo Man was around, only ‘Next Level’ and ‘Illusion’ were good. After he left, the real public hits came—’Spicy,’ ‘Supernova,’ ‘Whiplash.’ I prefer the current stuff"

"Honestly, the concept already started changing around ‘Spicy.’ The AI concept was cool, but I like aespa’s current concept too"

"They were already going for the metallic vibe even when they only revealed the name ‘aespa’ lololol it’s always had that metallic feel, what’s the issue"

"Exactly what I’m saying… Please give us more songs like ‘Savage’ and ‘Girls’ ㅜㅠ!!!!!"

"Wasn’t it kind of metallic from the start anyway?"

"Actually, I don’t think ‘Dirty Work’ is metallic at all. Songs like ‘Savage,’ ‘Girls,’ and ‘Whiplash’ felt more metallic. But aespa’s concept is surprisingly diverse"

"It might just be a matter of taste, but I really liked ‘Dirty Work’… Maybe I just have average ears, but aside from ‘Girls,’ all of aespa’s songs have been catchy and good to me ㅠㅠ I don’t get why people keep putting them down"

"The recent concept is much better"

"aespa has maintained a futuristic vibe since debut. The AI characters are just one part of that—AI doesn’t define futurism"

"Lee Soo Man ran off with the whole universe concept"

"AI stuff costs a ton of money though"

"They should’ve just continued with the alien concept like in ‘Supernova’ or ‘Armageddon.’ ‘Dirty Work’ just wasn’t it"

"Now it feels a lot like LE SSERAFIM’s concept"

"For me, their standout eras were ‘Black Mamba’ to ‘Savage,’ and ‘Girls’ was peak visuals. Now the makeup looks really strange… way too dark and heavy"

"It’s also disappointing that the storyline videos disappeared. I used to watch every single one religiously…"

"Wasn’t everyone begging them to drop KWANGYA just a while ago?"

"To be honest, I thought the KWANGYA universe was fun, but I like the current direction more. The members keep hitting new visual peaks with every comeback—they look amazing"

Fans clearly continue to have strong opinions about aespa’s identity and direction. Whether you’re on team AI/KWANGYA or support their newer, edgier image, aespa’s journey is an intriguing case of concept evolution in K-pop’s fast-changing landscape. What do you think? Which aespa era do you prefer?