K-pop girl group aespa have released their latest track Next Level, which originally featured on the Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw soundtrack.
The rising group – who debuted late last year with the track Black Mamba – have a unique concept which sees the four members – Winter, Giselle, Ningning and Karina – joined by their virtual counterparts in incredible, futuristic performance videos.
Their new song is a hip-hop dance song which highlights the talents of the girls, with the accompanying music video showcasing their dancing and top tier visuals too.
While the song is a take on an existing track, the lyrics take fans on a journey into aespa’s own virtual world and their avatar counterparts.
The group – who became the fastest K-pop act to surpass 100million views with their debut track – are from the entertainment company behind industry icons Girls’ Generation, Shinee and, more recently, Red Velvet and NCT.
However the use of both human and virtual members is something which sets aespa apart from other active groups and has seen them amass millions of fans in a matter of months.
(Image: SM)
The group’s name is a combination of “aspect” – meaning two sides – and “ae” – the initials for “avatar” and “experience”, which the virtual members represent. They hope to share a new world with their fans – known as MY – through their other selves.
The members spoke about their comeback with Next Level, admitting it was different to their Black Mamba debut.
(Image: SM)
Chinese member Ninging, 18, said: “We received lots of love with our debut song Black Mamba and in return we wanted to showcase even better music and performances.
“With Next Level, we’re excited to bring another powerful performance, even more so than before, and can’t wait to promote it.”
Meanwhile, the group’s main rapper Giselle, 20, said she thought Next Level was “so good” when she first heard it.
(Image: SM)
Despite debuting in November 2020, aespa have become a force to be reckoned with.
Lead vocalist Winter, 20, spoke of her stand-out moment since she was introduced to the world as a member of the group.
“There are several moments that cross my mind, but I’d have to say when we received the Rookie of the Year award last year and earlier this year,” she said.
(Image: SM)
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“It’s an award you can only receive once after debut so it’s very meaningful to us.
“Every time we think back to that moment, we get a lot of energy.”
While leader Karina, 21, mentioned the filming of the first episode of web-series SM Culture Universe as one of her favourite moments.
“It was my first time filming underwater so I was a bit scared and excited at the same time,” she explained.
“When I watched the final clip, I was very satisfied with the result and how it came out, so I felt very proud.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
