Following their strong momentum in 2024, expectations were high for aespa to maintain their success in a K-pop scene struggling to hold global attention. After Dirty Work, the group returned with Rich Man, which gained success, surpassing 32 million YouTube views in just 17 days and performing well on domestic charts.
However, controversy erupted when SM Entertainment released a remix version of Rich Man titled Yellow Claw, with a music video created entirely by AI. Instead of delivering a cohesive narrative, the video depicted random everyday people — a girl riding a bike, a chef, a sanitation worker, a scientist, a violinist — none of which had any connection to the theme of “Rich Man” or the pulsating remix. Netizens criticized the visuals as awkward, soulless, and poorly executed, calling it one of K-pop’s worst MVs in 2025.
The disappointment was amplified because aespa has long been praised for their high-budget, innovative concepts. Fans questioned why SM would approve a release of such poor quality. The remix itself was also criticized as noisy and unpleasant, with some even saying AI-generated pet videos on TikTok were more entertaining.
The backlash comes at a time when aespa’s recent performance has already raised concerns. Their Good Morning America stage drew ridicule for what viewers described as low-energy dancing, with some likening the moves to “morning exercise routines.” Although lip-syncing accusations were quickly debunked, criticism of their choreography remained strong. Members were out of sync, with Giselle particularly called out for struggling to keep up. Karina, promoted as the group’s main dancer, also faced harsh scrutiny for lacking technical precision, fueling claims she was being overhyped by media pushes.
The appearance on one of the most-watched American morning shows since 2012 was meant to be a golden opportunity for aespa, but instead, it intensified doubts about their live performance skills and SM’s creative direction. With both the AI MV backlash and stage criticism colliding, the group now faces serious questions about their long-term trajectory.
Sources: K14
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