aespa KARINA Says, “The Song Became Even Cooler Thanks to GD’s Featuring” [HT On-site]

aespa KARINA revealed the behind-the-scenes story of G-DRAGON’s featuring.

aespa held a press conference for the release of its second full-length album ‘LEMONADE’ at the Grand Ballroom of Sofitel Ambassador Seoul on the 28th. On this day, KARINA shared how G-DRAGON’s featuring came to happen.

Regarding ‘WDA,’ KARINA introduced it by saying, “It is a song that means a transcendent being from a different dimension,” adding, “It is a grand song with a powerful, hip-hop-based dance performance, and we tried to express a solid aespa. It is also a song that signals Season 3, a new chapter in our worldview.”

Regarding G-DRAGON’s featuring, she said, “It was a song that had featuring in mind from the moment we received the demo,” adding, “When we thought together with the company about who could bring this part to life well, he gladly agreed to join us.” She added, “It was a part we liked and were looking forward to, and he brought it to life so coolly in his own style, so I think the song became even cooler.”

NINGNING said, “I think I was shocked because I liked the music video as soon as I saw it,” adding, “We filmed for about three days, and everyone worked really hard. In the WDA music video, we attempted a drastic transformation.” She added, “Just like the title, in order to show aespa transforming into a different kind of being than before, we boldly tried everything from posing and acting to makeup.” GISELLE shared, “WDA has a dark and overwhelming feel, while LEMONADE has a more kitsch and mischievous feel,” adding, “The modes of the two songs are completely different, so filming the music videos was fun, and I think many people will like this music video as well.”

Regarding the B-side ‘SHAKIN,’ KARINA said, “It is one of the steel-taste B-sides we are confident in, with an addictive hook melody,” adding, “It is a song with the bold ambition to shake up the other person’s world, so I hope it shakes many people’s hearts.”

Regarding the B-side ‘Switchblade,’ WINTER explained, “It is an electronic dance song with an addictive hook,” adding, “Switchblade means a folding automatic knife, and in line with that, the song compares it to changing into many different forms in any situation.” She added, “It contains both flexibility and strength, so it also suits aespa’s steel-taste charm well.”

Regarding the B-side ‘Roll,’ NINGNING introduced it by saying, “It is bouncy and cute, with a slight summer feel,” adding, “Since it is based on an English nursery rhyme, the melody will feel familiar.” She said, “It wittily captures cute but fierce emotions toward an ex-lover, and since it is an English song, we also mixed in Korean and reviewed various details while recording so that it would stick well in the mouth.”

Regarding the secret to maintaining aespa’s unique musical color, NINGNING said, “We debuted with a worldview, and as we have promoted for seven years, I think we are gradually finding our own selves.” GISELLE shared, “Since we debuted with a concept, we consult with the company’s A&R team accordingly and try to choose songs that suit us well,” adding, “Fans tell us that our videos or songs can give them even a little bit of strength, and I felt that was something really good.”

aespa, which debuted in November 2020, has led the K-pop scene with its unique worldview and musical spectrum. After winning the Bonsang at the Hanteo Music Awards for four consecutive years from 2022, the group also took home the Grand Prize in 2024, establishing itself as a true representative K-pop artist. With its third mini album ‘MY WORLD’ in 2023, aespa recorded 1,698,784 copies in initial chodong sales, the highest initial chodong sales for a girl group at the time, and with its first full-length album ‘Armageddon’ in 2024, the group also achieved 1,154,742 copies in initial chodong sales, confirming the strong support of its global fandom.

aespa’s second full-length album ‘LEMONADE’ is an album that opens a new season of the group’s worldview, and contains a total of 11 tracks across diverse genres, including the title track ‘LEMONADE,’ the pre-release track ‘WDA (Whole Different Animal),’ and ‘Switchblade,’ featuring global hip-hop artist Ty Dolla $ign.

aespa’s second full-length album ‘LEMONADE’ will be released on various online music platforms at 1 p.m. on the 29th. Attention is focused on what new chapter aespa, which aims to turn any trial into an opportunity, will open with this album.