Mark StefanosWhen K-pop powerhouse aespa takes the stage at the Kia Forum on Saturday, fans will be getting a glimpse into the future of pop. It’s the LA stop of their SYNK: Parallel Line world tour, which has the group bringing their signature sound, intricate choreography, and immersive storytelling to fans worldwide. The LA show holds special significance, marking a reunion with a city that has embraced K-pop’s global wave like few others. And it will showcase why aespa represents the ever-evolving, boundary-pushing force of K-pop.
For aespa, the journey began under SM Entertainment, one of K-pop’s “Big 4” companies, responsible for iconic groups like H.O.T., Super Junior, Girls’ Generation and NCT. The four charming members — KARINA, GISELLE, NINGNING and WINTER — range in age from 22 to 24 and were carefully selected not just for their vocal and dance skills but also for their ability to bring aespa’s futuristic concept to life.
(Courtesy of aespa)
The name “aespa” is a portmanteau of “avatar,” “experience” and “aspect.” When they burst onto the scene at the height of the pandemic in 2020, they brought a virtual element that was quite fitting for a time when in-person interactions were stifled. Beyond existing In Real Life, aespa also lives as a virtual concept, with each member of the group having an AI avatar counterpart called “æ” that exists in a metaverse.
SYNK: Parallel Line blends their signature AI-inspired musical storytelling with larger-than-life visuals. “This tour is extra special for us as it’s our second world tour,” said GISELLE. “What really sets it apart is how richly we’ve woven aespa’s distinctive universe into the performance. The concept of the multiverse is central to the show, and we wanted to create an experience where both aespa and our fans from all over the world can come together, transcending dimensions.”
A new highlight of this tour is the inclusion of solo stages, allowing each member to showcase their individual artistry. “We had a hands-on role in the creative process — developing our own music, direction, and choreography — which makes these performances even more personal and meaningful,” GISELLE added.
The visual representation of the group’s concept also lives in their fashion, which WINTER says plays a vital role in expressing the group’s identity, “each look and concept is a reflection of who we are as a group.”
(Courtesy of aespa)
aespa fans — called MYs — can expect a heck of a show, with recent concerts running close to two hours, packed with long setlists of energetic performances. Over the next five weeks, aespa will be taking their SYNK: Parallel Line tour across both U.S. coasts and the Midwest, Mexico City, Toronto, and five countries in Europe.
Of course, keeping up with the schedule can be daunting. “The most challenging aspects of international touring are definitely the long flights and adjusting to different time zones,” Karina shared. “But the thought of our fans waiting for us makes all the difficulties worth it. Their energy and love give us the motivation to push through every challenge.”
Behind every performance is rigorous preparation, something aespa embraces as part of their group dynamic. “When we’re preparing for our performances, we always make sure to communicate openly and honestly with each other,” KARINA explained. “We share feedback, give advice, and encourage each other — whether it’s pointing out strengths or constructively discussing areas to improve.”
That level of trust and teamwork has helped aespa develop a near-telepathic connection on stage. “Over time, this has allowed us to develop a deep sense of understanding without needing to say much,” KARINA continued. “We can sense each other’s moods — whether someone is feeling tired, happy, or down — and that unspoken connection is incredibly powerful.”
aespa perform during the SYNK: Parallel Line tour on Aug. 9, 2024 in Taipei. (VCG/VCG via Getty Images)
The concert will be stacked with many of the hits they’ve accumulated over the past four years, and expect performances from their most recent mini-album Whiplash. But creating Whiplash in the midst of rolling out songs and performances wasn’t an easy feat.
“The process of working on this album while also preparing for ‘Supernova’ and ‘Armageddon’ and balancing our Asia tour was exceptionally intense, and there were times when we worried whether we’d be able to give Whiplash the attention it deserved,” said WINTER. “But knowing that our fans were eagerly anticipating the release kept us motivated and inspired. With this album, we wanted to show our fans that aespa is always evolving, exploring new sides, and pushing creative boundaries.”
aespa’s music doesn’t follow K–pop’s sonic norms. Later tracks, especially, like “Supernova” and “Armageddon,” boast punchy basslines and unconventional arrangements, with surprising switch-ups and breakdowns. Package that with catchy songwriting and slick vocals, and you get earworms that can’t help but go viral. On Melon, one of Korea’s top streaming platforms, “Supernova” set a record for the longest-running No. 1 song, at 15 consecutive weeks.
The LA crowd will soon get a taste of the secret sauce that makes aespa so exciting, and it will be in a region that has embraced K-pop as few others can. We have a heavy pan-Asian population that stretches in every direction, from the South Bay deep into the 626. But LA is where you can truly see that K-pop is a global phenomenon — walk into any K-pop shop in K-Town and you’ll see its diverse fanbase on full display, with patrons of all colors queuing up for their favorite group’s lightstick.
The show will be an opportunity for local MYs to show out, as K-pop concerts are as much conventions for the fandom, as they are celebrations of the music. At the tour, expect to see fans from all walks of life decked out in aespa costumes and hairstyles, ready to join in costume and dance contests.
“What excites us the most is seeing how our fans, no matter their age, gender, or background, interpret our concepts in their own innovative ways. It’s beautiful to witness how fashion becomes a way for our fans to connect with us and express themselves through aespa’s vision,” WINTER said. “Just like our motto, ‘the truest version of myself,’ our style allows us to be unapologetically ourselves while also creating a deeper bond with our fans.”
“Every time we step onto the stage and see our fans completely embracing our concepts, whether it’s through matching outfits or styling their hair like ours, we’re absolutely blown away by their dedication and creativity,” GISELLE added. “It makes us immensely proud to see how our style and concepts inspire them, and we can feel the love they pour into their own expressions of support.”
GISELLE, KARINA, NINGNING and WINTER of aespa attend the 2024 TikTok Awards Korea at Kyunghee University on Nov. 15, 2024 in Seoul, South Korea. (Han Myung-Gu/WireImage/Getty)
Fans play an active role in shaping the concert experience, often preparing surprise events that leave the group in awe. “There’s always a sense of excitement and curiosity about what they’ve planned and how they’ll surprise us,” WINTER shared. “It’s profoundly touching when they’ve kept it a secret, and then, at just the right moment, they reveal it with a joyful ‘ta-da!’ — those moments always leave us in awe.”
Of course, aespa is performing in a city still reeling from the devastating fires that raged for most of January. The group will be donating a portion of the proceeds from the show to the LAFD Foundation.
“We were deeply saddened to hear the heartbreaking news of the wildfires. It weighs heavily on our hearts, and our thoughts are with those affected. We truly hope that everything is resolved soon, and that the LA community can find peace and safety once again.” KARINA said, “In light of this, we hope that our music can offer even a small bit of comfort and healing to those who have been impacted. Our thoughts are with everyone, and we will continue to send love and strength to the LA community.”
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Looking ahead, aespa hopes to continue growing artistically, pushing the global K-pop movement. “Our biggest goal is to keep evolving and challenging ourselves with music and concepts that feel authentically ‘aespa,’” said NINGNING. “We want to continue exploring fresh ideas and showing new sides of ourselves, all while staying true to the distinct identity that makes us who we are.”
With such a vibrant group of talent, you’ll be hearing about aespa for a long time. “If you’re thrilled to see what’s next for aespa — whether it’s new projects or collaborations — keep cheering us on!” NINGNING added. “Your love and support mean everything to us, and the best is yet to come.”
aespa brings the SYNK: Parallel Line Tour to the Kia Forum in Inglewood, Saturday, Feb. 1. Tickets are available here.
The Jan. 31, 2025 cover of LA Weekly (Photo courtesy of aespa; Cover design by Jewel Baek)