A Milestone for K-Pop on a Global Stage
AML, now in its fourth season, has hosted global music titans such as the Foo Fighters, Shaboozey, Fuerza Regida, Snoop Dogg, and Ed Sheeran, placing aespa among music’s most genre-defining acts.
The Full and Diverse Setlist
The group delivered a commanding and diverse performance, showcasing a total of ten songs that spanned their mega-hits and popular B-sides.
The comprehensive setlist was designed to captivate both dedicated MYs (their fandom) and new global viewers:
- Global Hits: The group performed their chart-topping title tracks, including “Next Level,” “Supernova,” and “Armageddon,” highlighting the powerful choreography and unique “æ” concept that defines their sound.
- Recent Releases: They also featured songs from their newer releases, such as “Whiplash,” “Dirty Work,” and “Better Things,” demonstrating their versatility across genres.
- Fan Favorites: The setlist was rounded out with fan-favorite B-sides, including “Angel #48,” “Hold On Tight,” “Drift,” and “Rich Man,” delivering a rich variety of charms to the audience.
Behind the Scenes and Global Promotion
The event served as more than just a concert; it was a multi-faceted global marketing effort:
- Exclusive Content: Actress and entertainer Liza Koshy returned as the official social host for AML Season 4, offering fans exclusive interviews and fun behind-the-scenes content with the group.
aespa (Credit: X)
- Venue Experience: SM Entertainment and Amazon collaborated on the venue’s ambiance, which included official displays featuring the group’s themes, such as the ‘Dirty Work’ and ‘Rich Man’ collections. An F&B menu inspired by aespa’s signature colors and concepts was also offered on-site for a complete sensory experience.
- The Global Partnership: aespa is the first K-pop girl group to enter a significant collaboration with Amazon, beginning their partnership in January of the year the concert was held. They have collaborated on tour and album merchandise, reinforcing their growing international identity.
The Reception and Technical Challenges
The audience responded with enthusiasm to the performance, but some post-show discussions on online forums highlighted a few technical issues with the broadcast:
- Positive Feedback: Fans praised the group’s stage presence, the excellent song choices, and the stylish outfits (noting Ningning’s high boots). The crowd in Los Angeles was reported to be loud and fully engaged.
- Technical Glitches: Some viewers noted that the broadcast version had an overly loud backtrack, making it difficult to clearly hear the live vocals, especially on certain tracks like “Dirty Work” and “Better Things.” The camera work was also criticized by some for poor angles and excessive cuts to the crowd, issues that have occasionally been cited in past K-pop performances on US platforms.
A video clip, reportedly filmed during a private staff dinner on an overseas tour, recently surfaced and went viral on Korean forums.
The clip showed BTS member Jin enjoying some downtime inside what appeared to be a restaurant, where he was filmed goofily performing the “Zero-Two” dance step.
This dance is a well-known meme and short-form video trend, particularly popular within the streaming and gaming communities globally.
The Unexpected Backlash
Despite the clearly casual and private nature of the video, it sparked an unexpected level of negative commentary on Korean discussion forums like Nate Pann.
The criticism was harsh, with some netizens calling Jin’s actions “cheap” and others ridiculing his dancing skills, calling him “stiff.”
ARMYs Rally to Jin’s Defense
BTS Jin (Credit: Pinterest)
Fans pointed out that the video was taken during a private staff dinner, making the judgment excessive and unwarranted.
The defender labeled the critics as a “criminal group” harassing the members and expressed hope that they would face legal action.
The situation highlights the severe pressure and lack of privacy faced by top K-pop idols, where even a momentary, casual dance move performed at a private event can be leaked, judged, and subjected to massive online criticism.
The incident became less about Jin’s dance and more about the ongoing battle against mass harassment and the malicious intent of certain online communities.
