aespa comeback begins on June 27 with the digital and physical release of their new single Dirty Work. While fans show excitement, Karina’s photo triggered political controversy, affecting online discussions around the group. SM’s teaser timing and pricing strategy also drew attention, shifting focus through legal action against online critics.
aespa comeback starts with bold concept and fierce visuals
aespa will mark their official comeback on June 27 at 1 PM KST by releasing a new single titled Dirty Work. The single includes three versions: the original Korean track, an English version, and an instrumental. Fans across South Korea and around the world are already showing high levels of interest and anticipation.
On June 5 at midnight, aespa revealed a teaser video on their official social media and website. The video featured glowing molten metal slowly forming the title Dirty Work. This intense and striking visual matched the bold musical direction hinted at in the upcoming release. The teaser raised curiosity about the atmosphere and energy of the new track.
aespa comeback builds on musical evolution and global attention
aespa continues to expand their sound with each new release. Their first full-length album Armageddon introduced a powerful message: “I define myself.” This theme showcased aespa’s confidence in their artistic identity and drew strong reactions from listeners.
Shortly after, the techno-inspired EDM track “Whiplash” proved their versatility and maintained their momentum. It became their third hit in a row. With Dirty Work, aespa is expected to experiment further with heavy and industrial sound textures. Some fans have started describing this style as “dirty metal flavor.” The phrase reflects both the emotional heat and the steel-like strength of the song’s tone.
aespa comeback date and teaser timing trigger discussion about strategy
The timing of aespa’s comeback teaser attracted attention among fans and online users. Comebacks in K-pop usually follow a specific timeline. When a group schedules a Friday release, the first teaser typically appears exactly three Fridays earlier, also at midnight.
However, for Dirty Work, the teaser appeared on a Thursday at midnight, just three days after Korea’s presidential election. This timing seemed deliberate to some observers. Online users on Nate Pann argued that SM Entertainment may have aimed to regain control of public sentiment during a politically sensitive period. Releasing the teaser immediately after the election could shape early discussions and influence initial fan reactions.
Fan concerns rise over aespa comeback album pricing and company response
While excitement for the comeback remains high, fans also voiced concerns over the price of the physical album. Despite being a single, the album costs nearly 30,000 KRW. Many found this price unusually high for a release that includes only one main track and its instrumental.
In response to the growing criticism, SM Entertainment quickly issued a legal warning notice. This announcement redirected public discussion. It also had an immediate effect on online behavior. Fans noticed that anti-fans who had been vocal suddenly became quieter, likely fearing legal consequences. The legal notice served both as a protective measure and a way to change the topic away from pricing.
Karina controversy adds unexpected tension before the comeback
Just before the teaser’s release, Karina became the subject of heated political speculation. She posted a photo in a red and black jacket featuring the number 2. In South Korea, both the color red and the number 2 are associated with the conservative People Power Party. This post appeared shortly before the national election, leading many to speculate that Karina supported the party.
Karina clarified that her outfit had no political intent. Despite her statement, the backlash continued. Supporters of the newly elected president, Lee Jae-myung, viewed the photo as politically suggestive. As a result, they expressed strong criticism toward Karina, shifting the focus away from the group’s musical return. The political atmosphere created a more cautious mood around the upcoming comeback.
Legal system limits political influence over comeback-related disputes
Some of Karina’s critics now believe the new administration might side with them. They expect that having Lee Jae-myung as president will help their cause. However, South Korea is a constitutional democracy. Even the president cannot interfere with the court system or legal rulings.
Those who continue to attack Karina based on political assumptions may face serious consequences. South Korean law treats online defamation and harassment as legal offenses. Fans and legal experts alike have reminded people that personal political views do not exempt anyone from responsibility. The comeback may proceed with controversy, but justice will follow legal procedure, not political preference.

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Karina’s international fans don’t care what her political views are. She even denied saying anything political! It’s wild that this is still a problem in South Korea