K-pop group aespa (Karina, Winter, Giselle, Ningning) is under fire following their September 13 U.S. debut performance on ABC’s “Good Morning America” (GMA). What was meant to mark the start of their American promotions has instead sparked criticism over lip-syncing, stage presence, and member behavior, intensifying ongoing debates about their professionalism.
Fans and viewers voiced disappointment after aespa performed “Rich Man” on GMA, noting the lack of live vocals and minimalist staging with no backup dancers or dynamic camera work. Online comments included:
- Their first U.S. stage and it wasn’t live? It just felt like watching a dance cover group.
- This really shows how important music show camerawork and backup dancers are.
Criticism also arose when members stood idly during non-singing parts, with some arguing that the choreography should have been restructured to suit a four-member performance without additional support.
Adding fuel to the fire, a video of Karina smiling and giggling at members during the performance spread widely online. Netizens argued her demeanor clashed with the song’s mood:
- They need to understand this isn’t just another Korean music show—it’s an important U.S. stage.
- As the leader, Karina should have been more composed.
Karina had already drawn criticism earlier this year at the Asia Star Entertainer Awards (ASEA 2025), where she accidentally said “aespo” instead of “aespa” in her speech and laughed, cutting her acceptance comments short.
Meanwhile, Winter faced backlash over a resurfaced clip where she jokingly defended her bangs after a staff member suggested she wear a wig. Some netizens found her playful remark disrespectful, while others defended it as harmless humor.
Shortly after the GMA stage, Karina and Winter went live in their car, playing games like Whisper Challenge. Some viewers criticized the timing, saying: “They should be reflecting, not livestreaming.”
This is not the first time K-pop groups have faced international scrutiny. LE SSERAFIM was heavily criticized after their shaky live vocals at Coachella 2024, while ILLIT faced backlash for unstable notes during encore stages. Both groups went on hiatus from live stages, later returning with improved performances that helped rehabilitate their images.
As aespa’s image takes repeated hits from resurfacing videos and the GMA controversy, many fans stress the group must respond through effort and growth: “Skill-related issues should be solved with skill” and “SM Entertainment needs to guide its artists to adopt a more mature mindset.”
With aespa recently making a comeback on September 5 with Rich Man, attention is now on whether their next album and stages can demonstrate improvement and shift public opinion back in their favor.
Sources: Daum
You must be logged in to post a comment.