Concert review: K-pop girl group Aespa’s gig filled with sizzling dances
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South Korean girl group Aespa, comprising (from left) Giselle, Winter, Karina and Ningning, performed at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on July 20.
PHOTO: RELE
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2024 Aespa Live Tour Synk: Parallel Line In Singapore With Lotte Duty Free
Singapore Indoor Stadium
July 20
With their energetic dance moves and sprightly choreography, South Korean girl group Aespa have been winning hearts and charming audiences.
Some 8,500 fans saw the dancing queens in the flesh at their first full concert in Singapore on July 20, which sold out in a day.
The fans grooved along with the group’s four members, aged 21 to 24, during the 2½-hour show.
There is leader Karina, the oldest member, who has a black belt in taekwondo; Winter, who has a dimple on her left cheek; China-born Ningning, the youngest member, with a husky voice; and bubbly Giselle.
The show was part of the group’s Synk: Parallel Line concert tour, which kicked off in Seoul in June and has travelled to Fukuoka, Nagoya and Saitama in Japan. After Singapore, it will continue on to places such as Hong Kong and Taipei.
Some 8,500 fans jived with Aespa’s four dancing queens at their first full concert in Singapore, at the Indoor Stadium.
PHOTO: AESPA/FACEBOOK
The tour is in support of Aespa’s first studio album, Armageddon, which was released in May.
The synth-heavy Supernova and hip-hop title track were performed at the Singapore show, together with many of the dance numbers the group have put out since their 2020 debut.
Here are three hits which the group swayed and bopped along to.
1. Black Mamba (2020)
(From left) Ningning, Karina, Winter and Giselle gave off sultry and sexy vibes as they performed their debut single, Black Mamba.
PHOTO: RELE
The group’s debut single is an electropop dance track with an addictive hook. Donning sleeveless black get-ups, the girls gave off sultry and sexy vibes.
Their smooth leg extensions hinted at a snake’s slithering movements, while the S-shape of their arms suggested a serpent’s raised head, ready to strike.
A well-coordinated hair toss later in the song, accentuated by a blast of pyrotechnics, elicited loud cheers from the crowd.
2. Next Level (2021)
Aespa performing a K-pop version of the song Next Level – featuring fist pumps, hair flicks and finger waving – during a concert in Seoul in June.
PHOTO: AESPA/FACEBOOK
Fans of the Fast & Furious movie franchise would likely have heard the song Next Level (2019), by enigmatic singer A$ton Wyld. However, others might be more familiar with the rock version of the song by Aespa.
With English lyrics such as “too hot, too hot” and “I’m on the next level”, the K-pop version is an anthem of self-confidence known for its hand choreography.
Complete with fist pumps, hair flicks and finger waving, the group’s fiery performance of the number was a reminder to trust in one’s abilities.
3. Licorice (2024)
Aespa showing they can pull off sweet jives when performing Licorice at a concert in Seoul in June.
PHOTO: AESPA/FACEBOOK
One does not have to go all out on every dance. Sometimes, as was the case for Licorice, the right pose at the right point is enough to do the trick.
And all four members delivered with memorable gestures, from a “stop hand” by Winter to a well-timed head turn by Karina.
A synchronised series of light kicks, arm waves and cute poses during the chorus tied together this performance about puppy love. It showed Aespa could pull off not only high-energy performances, but also sweet jives.
