aespa Takes Over Crypto Arena
One of the best 4th gen groups!
Gathering of MYs
If you didn’t already know, most KPop group fans have a name for which they are called. For aespa, they have MYs. aespa has a created a fictional story and lore with their songs and music videos. MY represents the close friendships they built in their digital world called Kwangya. The turnout for this concert is a testament to the fans feeling that connection with the members of the group!
The VIP Experience
I have personally decided to always do the VIP experience when given the chance for KPop concerts. A typical VIP package comes with gifts, early entrance with separate merch stalls, and sound check. For this concert, aespa provided VIP guests with a drawstring bag, a photobooth style print of the members, and a laminate with lanyard that has been autographed. The laminate did not make its way to Los Angeles, so guests were asked to provide their addresses so that it could be mailed to them. Sound check is such an amazing experience if you are a huge fan! Not only do you get to spend more time enjoying the group perform their songs, they also interact with the audience members through conversations and cheers! It is also really nice to not have to stress with the longer merch lines for the general public as well as being able to get into the food lines before the rest of the crowds fill the arena.
Great View and New Music!
Another benefit to VIP seating is how close you can be by the stage! It was amazing to be able to see aespa perform so close and not have to depend on the giant screens provided for the guests farther away. Along with this great view, aespa put on an amazing show which included lights, streamers, confetti, remixes of classic songs, breath taking choreography, and new music! In between the sets for their biggest hits, aespa performed their newest single: Better Things. This song has been teased the past month or so and has been sampled for their YouTube sitcom: Better Things To Do. As an avid fan, it is an amazing feeling to know that you are among the first group of fans to not only hear the song in its entirety but to be able to see the performance that goes with it.
For what I have noticed, it has become a norm for many KPop groups to showcase the individual members through their solo acts. These allow each person to shine with their own talents through vocals and choreography. aespa raised the energy and left its fans in awe through four performances scattered through the night. They transitioned from the normal group performances using pre-recorded footage of the girls and allowed for costume changes for the next set of group performances that would follow. None of these solo songs have been officially released and have only been given to fans through the live concerts on this tour! Winter performed a beautiful balled titled Lips to showcase her vocal range and power. Karina performed a rhythmic hip hop number titled Menagerie which showcased her ability to perform a hip-hop style of vocals and choreography. Giselle performed a pop song with attitude, 2Hot4U, to showcase her bad girl character while mesmerizing the crowd with addictive and catchy lyrics. Ningning surprised the fans with a rhythmic solo song completely in English with Wake Up.
Encore!
Modern concert attendees will notice that it is common practice for the artists to ”end” their set, leave the audience chanting for more, and for them to reappear on stage for one last performance. aespa ”ended” the concert, but after some time the screens begin projecting a fun dance cam. Their music starts playing on the speakers and the cameras start showcasing the fans dancing to the songs. After a few minutes, the girls reappear on the stage and the fans reignite in cheers and applause as they officially end the show with a very fitting song: ‘Til We Meet Again. While performing, the girls forgo the normal choreography and joyfully move around the stage while ad libbing their own dances. During this fun moment, Karina began taking the phones from fans and snapping selfies of herself while Ningning joined in.
The Personal Touch
With the actual end of the concert nearing, the girls give one final personal farewell to their fans. As they make their way up to the main portion, fans frantically throw gifts onto the runway for them to pick up. Stuffed animals, cute headbands, and homemade jewelry adorn the girls as they give their final goodbyes. The whole concert was filled with laughter, jaws dropping, singing, shouting, chanting, and joy. aespa truly encompasses what it means to allow the fans to feel a real connection to the artist. They don’t just perform their music and dances, they bring the fans into the world they have created. They share the moments they struggled through and the successes they accomplished in. If you haven’t listened to aespa, they are not only a huge success in Korea but internationally as well. Their music sculps a story with an in-depth lore that draws fans in and keeps them wanting more.
