aespa is currently under fire after footage from the 2025 MAMA Awards showed the group seemingly reacting coldly when G-DRAGON approached to greet them. The viral moment, widely circulated across Korean social media platforms, has led to a flurry of criticism over aespa’s manners and professionalism at one of the year’s biggest events.
In the most widely shared clip, Karina is seen standing up promptly when she spots G-DRAGON walking toward the group. However, other members Winter, Giselle, and Ningning appeared slower to react. Some turned away or only responded after G-DRAGON initiated the greeting himself. This perceived lack of basic etiquette has left many netizens unimpressed, especially considering G-DRAGON’s towering status in the K-pop industry.
Another controversial video shows Winter and Ningning’s seemingly casual demeanor as G-DRAGON was seen trying to find his seat right in front of them. Many viewers felt it was unlikely they failed to notice his presence, especially from such a close distance. Critics argue this behavior signals a lack of respect, and the issue is amplified given that aespa has been active for over five years, a stage where such missteps shouldn’t occur.
However, not all reactions have been negative. Some netizens suggest the criticism might be blown out of proportion. They argue that camera angles can easily mislead viewers and do not accurately reflect the full context. Moreover, aespa and G-DRAGON have had positive interactions in the past.
Karina, for instance, appeared briefly in G-DRAGON’s “Too Bad” music video, a collaboration that garnered attention despite its brevity. Notably, G-DRAGON even defended Karina when she faced backlash for her participation. Additionally, aespa once guested on G-DRAGON’s variety show “Good Day,” where he praised their stage presence and even learned some of their choreography, signaling genuine respect and camaraderie.
Past award ceremonies have also shown the two parties interacting respectfully, with aespa members previously expressing admiration for BIGBANG and G-DRAGON, calling him a major influence on their music careers.
As a result, many fans believe judging aespa’s attitude solely based on a few viral clips may be unfair. The chaotic nature of award shows often leads to confusion, and split-second moments can easily be misinterpreted. Nevertheless, this incident serves as a reminder for idols to remain mindful of public perception in every public appearance and for audiences to avoid drawing conclusions too hastily from potentially misleading footage.
Sources: K14
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