About seven months after their last release, aespa Karina and NingNing stepped out to address their long hiatus. They apologized to their fandom MYs for waiting for a long time.

aespa Karina & NingNing Address Hiatus, Apologize To MYs

Despite their concerts and modeling activities at home and abroad, some MYs are feeling impatient as aespa, who rose into stardom following hits, "Next Level," and "Savage," is yet to have their comeback about seven months after "Girls" was dropped.

(Photo : aespa (News1))

K-pop fans complain that they rarely see aespa promoting as a complete four-member group nowadays due to their lack of new music activities. The group hasn't released new music since July 2022.

However, it looks like not only fans but the members also seem "frustrated" that they aren't able to meet fans as much as they want due to their hiatus.

On Bubble, a fandom-communicating app used by SM Entertainment artists, both Karina and NingNing appeased fans' frustration over their temporary break from the music scene.

(Photo : Karina (iMBC))

Karina especially addressed their current hiatus.

"We are in the middle of a long break but we are building everything yet to be unveiled so this is a time to have patience for that... Of course, since our hiatuses have been long and frequent, I think (your name) can get tired, so I think it's a reward to look into this part often, communicate, and make everyone proud when we stand on stage and in front of the camera.."

 She continued:

"I also have experience in liking a certain singer and waiting for their music and performance, so I understand how long and exhausting the hiatus is. Nevertheless, thank you so much for always waiting for us like this. We will always come back with a better appearance. Sweet dreams!! I hope you have an early day today."

(Photo : NingNing (MHN Sports))

Following leader Karina, the maknae NingNing also apologized to fans for always making them wait for a long time.

"I wanted to say I am sorry. I've been busy preparing for the concert lately. I didn't come a lot (on the bubble), didn't I? But I'm practicing every day thinking about MYs and I miss you every day!!! I can't wait to meet you!!! I'm sorry to keep you waiting all the time. I just wanted to apologize because I suddenly remembered today..!! I can't look at my phone much because I've been very busy these days. So I'll try to come as many times as I can from tomorrow! Thank you. I can't wait to see you."

SM Entertainment Criticized For aespa's Lack of Comebacks, Music Releases

As a result, K-pop fans are disappointed that aespa is not making a comeback despite the group's massive popularity after consecutive hits.

Compared to ITZY, NewJeans, IVE, and LE SSERAFIM, their rival fourth-gen groups, aespa's comeback gaps are longer. Amid the group's music hiatus, Karina and Winter promoted for GOT the beat, and the members were only seen complete through music festivals, awards ceremonies, and their recent solo variety program.

(Photo : Facebook: aespa)

(Photo : Nate Pann)
aespa

MYs and K-Netz felt sorry for the group for apologizing instead of their agency, and continued to call out SM Entertainment for wasting such talents by not giving them an opportunity to showcase their skills.

• "The planning department and the company should be blamed here, but the ones apologizing are the idols..."
• "For real, where is aespa's full album?"
• "I'm surprised at how they can treat them this way even after 'Next Level' blew up."
• "Where the f**k is aespa? doing GOT the beat? attending pop-up stores launch? I don't get it."
• "What is the company doing?"
• "They only have 1 comeback per year and they don't even appear in music shows, does that make sense?"
• "For real, they need to release more music!"

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Written by Eunice Dawson.