The recent announcement of a special stage at the upcoming 2025 MBC Gayo Daejejeon has sparked significant backlash among fans of aespa, particularly regarding the treatment of member Karina. The performance, which will feature Hearts2Hearts member Ian covering Karina’s solo hit “UP,” has raised eyebrows, as many believe it overlooks the original artist’s contributions and achievements.
“UP” was introduced during aespa’s second concert tour, SYNK: PARALLEL LINE, in June 2024. The song quickly gained traction, becoming a viral sensation through dance covers and challenges on social media. Released on streaming platforms in October, it achieved remarkable success, earning Karina her first music show award and a Real Time All-Kill as a solo artist. Despite this success, Karina has not yet performed “UP” on a major stage, having only featured it during aespa’s concerts and at the WATERBOMB Seoul festival earlier this year.
The decision to have Ian perform “UP” has led to outrage among fans, who feel that SM Entertainment is neglecting Karina’s solo career. One fan expressed frustration on social media, stating, “It’s not only a song. Karina wrote it by herself… but they used it to push a rookie, when Karina never performs it on stage.” This sentiment reflects a broader concern that SM Entertainment is prioritizing newer artists over established ones, particularly aespa, which has been a significant revenue source for the company.
Fan Reactions and Concerns Over Agency Decisions
Fans have taken to social media platforms to voice their dissatisfaction with SM Entertainment’s handling of Karina’s career. Many pointed out that while Ian’s upcoming performance is being celebrated, it should not come at the expense of Karina, who has yet to receive adequate recognition for her achievements. Comments such as “SM always finds new ways to upset everyone” highlight the growing frustration among the fandom.
This controversy follows similar criticisms after the 2025 SBS Gayo Daejeon, where Hearts2Hearts performed aespa’s recent track “Dirty Work” alongside their own song. The decision to have aespa perform “Rich Man” while a junior group covered their work has raised alarms about the agency’s intentions and priorities regarding aespa.
Fans have also noted that aespa’s requests for special stages at major events have been repeatedly denied, further fueling the belief that SM Entertainment is sidelining the group. One user remarked, “The girls themselves requested for special stages and got rejected by the company, but a junior got to perform ‘UP’ before Karina.”
Aespa’s Future and Upcoming Performances
As the controversy unfolds, aespa is scheduled to appear at the 2025 MBC Gayo Daejejeon on December 31, 2025, although details regarding their setlist remain unconfirmed. The group is also set to perform at the 76th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen in Japan on the same day, which adds to the challenges of balancing their growing international commitments with their domestic opportunities.
With fans expressing concern over the treatment of aespa and Karina, the pressure is mounting on SM Entertainment to address these issues directly. As the music industry continues to evolve, the expectations of fans for transparency and fair treatment of artists are more pronounced than ever. The outcome of this situation could potentially reshape the dynamics within the agency and influence how they manage their established groups alongside their newer talents.
For now, the question remains whether SM Entertainment will respond to the backlash and offer Karina the platform she deserves for her successful solo work.
