aespa Stuns Tokyo Dome with Powerhouse Performances and Individual Flair

aespa’s First Chapter Unfolds: A Setlist Spanning From Debut to New Releases

On this day, following the passage of the typhoon, Tokyo saw extremely high temperatures, and over 40,000 MYs (aespa’s fandom) filled Tokyo Dome. As the lights dimmed and countless lights on the screen formed the letters “aespa” like connecting stars in a constellation, the audience erupted in cheers. Drapes hung across the stage, and the silhouettes of the four members appeared behind them. As the curtain dropped without hesitation, the first song, “Drama,” began.

The members wore all-white outfits, reflecting the trendy balletcore style, with flowing lace skirts, corset-like tops, and arm warmers. The powerful lyrics, “The protagonist is me, the drama begins with me,” heightened the anticipation for the unfolding story. After WINTER’s soaring chorus signaled a dance break, the energy in the venue surged. The group then moved to the circular center stage, seamlessly transitioning into their debut song “Black Mamba” and “Salty & Sweet.”

As the dancers vanished, the intro to “Girls” began on the stage with just the four members. This song had not been part of the setlist for this tour, making it a surprise for fans who had prepared for it. Moreover, upon closer listening, the hard riff from “Savage” was playing in the background, revealing a Tokyo Dome-specific mashup. The sight of the four members dancing towards each other in sync with the phrase “We Them Girls” was both impressive and overwhelming. As they returned to the main stage on a moving platform, they transitioned to “Savage,” which was also being performed for the first time on this tour. The first section of the show concluded with a dance break that mixed the two songs once again.

aespa is known for its grand narrative that navigates between the virtual and real worlds. During the show, the screen often showcased the slithering “Black Mamba,” setting the stage for a journey through their story. The first section of the performance mirrored aespa’s chapter one: starting with their debut track, moving through “Savage” where they confront the Black Mamba, then to “Girls” for the battle’s climax, and concluding with “Salty & Sweet” from their album MY WORLD, marking the start of a new chapter in the real world. While the music featured powerful dance beats, the members’ costumes—ethereal and delicate—offered a striking contrast, reflecting aespa’s latest style.

aespa’s Setlist: A Showcase of Unmatched Talent

Following an interlude video, aespa performed “Supernova,” a track that topped South Korea’s streaming charts for 11 consecutive weeks this year. This catchy hit showcases the talent of music producer KENZIE. The members changed into metallic outfits, with the flying lasers highlighting the song’s space-themed ambiance.

In the following performance of “Mine,” a jungle gym-like structure appeared on stage. The dance moves, utilizing poles and stairs, captivated the audience, while the sparse arrangement of the song allowed aespa’s high-level vocal and rap skills to shine even more.

During the MC segment that began with Karina’s “Are you enjoying Tokyo Dome?”, each member greeted the Japanese fans, with Winter saying, “I’ve missed MY-J,” and Ningning expressing, “I’m truly happy.” Giselle’s enthusiastic “I’m back!” elicited an especially loud response from the crowd.

The performance then shifted to handheld microphones, featuring the Japanese song “Sun and Moon,” which has also gained attention for its lyric video, followed by tracks “Prologue” and “Long Chat (#♥)” from the album Armageddon. The members split into two groups—Karina and Ningning, and Winter and Giselle—forming hearts with their hands and waving to the fans, creating an intimate and warm atmosphere while showcasing their vocal talents.

Epic Mid-Set Solos: Each Member’s Unique Moment

One of the highlights of the first half was the solo performances by each member. While the group has previously showcased their individual talents through drama and film soundtracks, as well as internal collaborations, this time they presented even more refined and distinctive solo performances, raising expectations for their future as solo artists.

First up was Giselle, performing “Dopamine,” a track she co-wrote and co-produced. Starting with a four-on-the-floor intro, the song transitions into laid-back R&B, featuring a mix of rap and singing that reflects Giselle’s trendy style.

Karina appeared in streetwear, including baggy pants and a headband, to perform “Up,” a hip-hop dance track with an old-school vibe. She wrote the lyrics herself, showcasing her cool and confident persona.

Ningning took the stage with her back to the audience and a hooded outfit for her R&B track “Bored!,” which she wrote and choreographed. Her powerful vocals were complemented by a solo dance break that energized the crowd.

Winter closed the segment with “SPARK,” an euphoric EDM track she contributed to writing and composing. Her performance featured impressive choreography, including whacking dance moves and fabric props, creating a thrilling atmosphere in the dome.

aespa Debuts First Japanese-Language Song Live on Stage

Following a video set in a ballet studio, the screen prominently displayed the phrases “Ready to Transform” and “Launch.” This introduced “Hot Mess,” the Japanese debut single released in July. The four members, with NINGNING and WINTER sporting twin tails and casual outfits, followed with the relaxed guitar-driven track “Licorice.” The performance continued with “Hold On Tight,” a song from the soundtrack of the movie Tetris, complete with visuals resembling a game screen that brought the world of Tetris to life. Both members and dancers moved freely, creating an atmosphere akin to a club event. The set list then featured “Zoom Zoom,” aespa’s first Japanese-language song released last October, which was performed on stage for the first time, thrilling the audience with this exciting surprise.

During the MC segment, NINGNING said, “We just premiered ‘Zoom Zoom.’ How did you like it? It was a short time, but we worked hard on it, so I’m happy you enjoyed it.” After practicing the call and response for “We Go” led by GISELLE, KARINA handed over the song introduction to WINTER. With a mischievous smile, WINTER teased, “It’s a secret,” and the performance transitioned into “Spicy,” which wasn’t part of the setlist for this Japanese tour.

Next, the group took to the trolley and performed “YOLO,” a song about seizing what you want in life, and “Live My Life,” which carries a message of living your own life. They continued with “We Go,” the theme song for the anime Pokémon aired in South Korea, which encourages finding a new world beyond yesterday. The upbeat anthems, performed close to the fans, created a festive atmosphere with silver streamers fluttering and the audience joining in a sing-along, uniting the venue in celebration.

Towards the Finale: aespa’s Distinctive Mix of Real and Virtual Worlds

As the concert approached its final stages, the virtual assistant of aespa, “naevis,” made an appearance. Set to debut as SM Entertainment’s first virtual artist, naevis performed with a lifelike presence and smooth movements, as if it were truly on stage.

Following this, aespa emerged in striking black, hard-edged outfits to perform “Trick or Trick.” The song, memorable for its phrase “Now you see me, now you don’t,” featured mirrored images of the performance on screens flanking the stage, creating a captivating blend of reality and virtual worlds that drew the audience into a unique visual experience.

The concert reached its peak as the simple yet powerful beats of “Set The Tone” transitioned into the intense rock arrangement of “Next Level.” The venue’s energy soared to its highest point. Cameras capturing the members from close range on stage added to the excitement, making the performance feel even more immersive. As Karina shouted, “Tokyo Dome!” the group launched into their latest track, “Armageddon.” The performance showcased aespa’s unique ability to execute complex choreography with precision, culminating in a dramatic finale marked by the explosive sounds of pyrotechnics as the main set came to a close.

Three Hours of Distinctive Brilliance Unleashed

During the encore, the mood shifted dramatically as all four members appeared in relaxed pink pig costumes. They rode together on a single trolley, bringing a playful vibe to the stage as they performed the upbeat tracks “BAHAMA” and “YOU,” making their way closer to the MY fans once again.

Karina joked, “I think we’re the only ones who wore these pig costumes at Tokyo Dome,” making the audience laugh. The group then moved to the center stage and each member reflected on the show.

Ningning said, “It’s been a while since we’ve had a concert at Tokyo Dome, and we’re honored to be performing here again. It’s truly moving to see so many of you gathered in one space to watch our songs and dances. We cherish this opportunity. If we have the chance to perform at Tokyo Dome again, we want to work even harder and prepare an even better show.”

Karina added, “It was so much fun to perform at Tokyo Dome again this year, and I still can’t believe it. I was very nervous during rehearsal, but once the show started, I enjoyed it more than I was nervous. Thanks to all of you, we prepared the best we could, and I hope you had a great time. We’ll continue to do our best, so please stay with us. I truly love you all, and my world is MY.”

Winter expressed, “Did you have fun? I really had a great time too. You filled us with your energy, and I was able to perform with such happiness. Today’s show was really enjoyable. I love you.”

Giselle said, “Just like last year, it’s amazing that we were able to have a concert at Tokyo Dome just for aespa. I’m really, truly grateful for all of your support. I know you’re always cheering us on, so please keep waiting for us. I truly love you all.”

As they performed their final song, “MELODY,” a surprise event unfolded from the audience, with the message “aespa IS THE BEST” lighting up the seats. Winter led the crowd in chanting “MY-J is the best,” to which the MY-J fans responded with “aespa is the best.” This exchange of sentiments between aespa and MY capped off the nearly three-hour, 28-song performance on a high note.

In the K-POP industry, where groups often craft elaborate visual identities and detailed worldviews for each project, “concept assimilation ability” is a key metric for evaluation. aespa, with their “Avatar X Experience” concept, is recognized as a group excelling in this area. Their recent performance not only deepened interest in their distinct world-building but also sparked excitement about their growth beyond the concept, highlighting their individual personalities and charms.

Reflecting on their journey, aespa began their career amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, initially having no chance to perform before live audiences. They voiced concerns about whether they truly had fans, a sentiment documented in the August 30 film “aespa: MY First Page.” Over the past four years, they have since taken on major stages, including world tours and Coachella. Their confidence was clear during their second Tokyo Dome performance, as they looked forward to future successes. The performance’s video segments depicted their struggles with existential dilemmas caused by a “second self” from another world. Yet, the live presence of the four members on stage radiated a powerful affirmation of their unique identity.