SM has always been known as the Kpop entertainment company that provides their trainees and artists the best vocal training. Vocalists of SM groups from different generations such as S.E.S, DBSK, Girls’ Generation, SHINee, EXO, Red Velvet, NCT and even rookie girl group aespa all stand out in the industry for their great singing skills. From vocal color, technique to emotion, SM idols almost never disappoint fans when it comes to vocals. 

However, recently, a Korean netizen drew attention by posting about aespa’s vocal line onto an online community, suggesting that SM should increase training on this one skill for both Winter and NingNing. 

SM idol groups of different generations like Girls’ Generation...
SM idol groups of different generations like Girls’ Generation…
EXO
EXO
... Red Velvet all boast great vocals
… Red Velvet all boast great vocals
aespa is no exception. However, netizens still suggest that they should receive more training?
aespa is no exception. However, netizens still suggest that they should receive more training?

The specific problem with aespa’s vocalists pointed out by the original poster (OP) is their lip sync skill on stage.  According to OP, the fact that Winter and NingNing barely even opened their mouths when hitting high notes or not mouthed the lyrics properly to pretend to sing ruins their performances. If aespa has good vocals, they should sing live, if they have to lip-sync, then at least do it properly so it doesn’t look obvious. Therefore, OP claimed SM should give more training to aespa’s vocal line on lip syncing. 

NingNing and Winter's poor lip-syncing skills make netizens unhappy
NingNing and Winter’s poor lip-syncing skills make netizens unhappy 
The two were often caught barely even opening their mouths when hitting high notes
The two were often caught barely even opening their mouths when hitting high notes
NingNing’s mic even fell to her chin without her noticing
NingNing’s mic even fell to her chin without her noticing

In the comments under this post, many other netizens agree with OP and express their disappointment with the fact that aespa rarely sings live since debut. The group’s good vocals have been acknowledged, but their insistence on lip syncing is not doing them any good. 

Meanwhile, fans defend Winter and NingNing by saying that the two female idols are just used to the effortless singing style like other SM vocalists. Fans also add that it was not aespa’s choice they always lip sync, but SM “forced” them to.

aespa’s lip sync is SM’s fault?
aespa’s lip sync is SM’s fault? 

Some comments:

  • aespa really should sing live. Even if they could crack their voice or sound out of rhythm, they are singers, they are supposed to sing. But I think aespa lip-syncing is not decided by them, but by the broadcasting station or SM. 
  • Recently Taeyeon also sang live, and she showed normal expressions though? aespa’s stiff facial expressions show that they were lip syncing. 
  • Better lip sync than sing live poorly SM’s logic.
  • Have you heard rumors that aespa has never sang live?
  • They suck at lip syncing no matter how much fans try to cover for them 
  • I agree with OP. If you have to lip sync, at least do it properly. NingNing didn’t even bother to open her mouth when hitting the high note. 
  • You’re saying that lip-syncing means the singers don’t respect listeners, so how about those who sound terrible when singing live? Is that also disrespectful to listeners? 
Despite drawing controversy over lip syncing, aespa is still praised for their vocals. Hopefully the group will sing live more in their next comeback.
Despite drawing controversy over lip syncing, aespa is still praised for their vocals. Hopefully the group will sing live more in their next comeback.