aespa’s ‘Next Level’ Banned During South Korea’s National Exam Period
Following their labelmate SHINee's footsteps, aespa's "Next Level" is said to be the next song students are "banned" from listening to during the national college entrance exam period.
Keep on reading for all the details.
Why aespa's "Next Level" Has Been Banned in South Korea's National Exam Period
In 2009, SHINee's "Ring Ding Dong" made headlines after students were "banned" from listening to it due to its addictive melody and lyrics. Instead of remembering what they had learned to pass the CSAT or the national college entrance exam period, "Ring Ding Dong" would play in students' heads over and over again!
This proved detrimental, as the CSAT is only held once a year; if they failed, they would have to wait a whole year to retake it.
Now, aespa's latest digital single, "Next Level," is said to be the next SM Entertainment song to be banned during this vital time in student's lives, twelve years after the release of "Ring Ding Dong."
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A music critic stated that whenever people hear Karina's first line, "I'm on the next level," people begin to brim with excitement!
The song has a catchy beat that sticks to the listeners ear, and even after time has passed, the melody still rings in their heads.
"Next Level" uses modern beats and is known for its wide range of genres; from hip-hop to jazz, "Next Level" has it all! Listeners have become addicted to the futuristic songs, as well as aespa's use of AI (known as ae in aespa's universe).
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Despite the futuristic take of A$ton Wyld's song, many have stated that there is still a hint of nostalgia in aespa's latest release. It reminds people of the previous K-Pop artists from SM Entertainment TVXQ, S.E.S, and BoA.
Though "Next Level" is a remake of a song from the "Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw" soundtrack, many people applauded SM Entertainment for making a version that combines various genres and making the song uniquely aespa with a new, addicting music style.
ALSO READ: aespa Reveals Just How Painful Their Costumes for 'Next Level' Music Video Were
Still, aespa's "Next Level" will remain on the unofficial list of banned songs for students preparing for the upcoming national college entrance exam!
Listen to aespa's "Next Level" here!
aespa's Recent Activities
aespa released their third digital single, "Next Level," on May 17, 2021. The song was a commercial hit in South Korea, topping the Bugs and Genie streaming sites. aespa is the first 2020 rookie group to have a song top a South Korean music streaming service.
"Next Level" debuted at number nine on the Gaon Digital Chart, making it aespa's first top-ten entry. "Next Level" also debuted at number seven on the Download Chart and at number twelve on the Streaming Chart. On the Gaon BGM Chart, "Next Level" debuted at number 47.
In the United States, "Next Level" entered the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart at number three. On the Billboard Global 200, "Next Level" debuted at number 97, making aespa the third K-pop girl group to have more than one song enter the chart. Additionally, "Next Level" debuted at number 54 on the Billboard Global Excl. US chart.
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Written by Alexa Lewis
