aespa ignited their third world tour in Hong Kong with a sold-out AsiaWorld Arena, thrilling fans worldwide. Supporters overwhelmed ticketing platforms, proving the group’s immense global popularity and growing influence. Their ambitious journey now expands across Japan, Bangkok, Macau, and Jakarta, highlighting aespa’s unstoppable momentum as a leading K-pop act.
aespa Launches World Tour with Hong Kong Sellout
aespa confirmed their immense global demand by selling out all seats for their upcoming Hong Kong concerts next February. The “2025 aespa LIVE TOUR – SYNK : aeXIS LINE in HONGKONG” will take place February 7–8 at AsiaWorld Arena. Tickets vanished quickly during both pre-sale and general sales, proving once again that aespa commands extraordinary ticket power worldwide. This success also signals a confident beginning for their third world tour.
aespa Proves Global Ticket Power in Hong Kong
The overwhelming ticket demand highlighted aespa’s broad appeal across Asia and beyond. During Weverse pre-sales, peak traffic reached an astounding 8.6 million. That figure reflected not only their popularity but also the growing competition among fans determined to secure a seat. The frenzy confirmed aespa’s ability to generate excitement at an international level rarely seen for a K-pop group so early in their career.
aespa Extends Hong Kong Momentum into Asia Tour
Following the Hong Kong milestone, aespa prepared an extensive slate of arena shows throughout Japan and Southeast Asia. On October 4, the group opened their Japan run in Fukuoka’s Marine Messe. Upcoming stops include Tokyo’s Ariake Arena, Nagoya’s IG Arena, and Osaka-jo Hall, totaling ten large-scale concerts. Each venue holds more than 10,000 seats, underlining aespa’s steady rise as a live powerhouse. Beyond Japan, aespa plans to reach Bangkok, Macau, Jakarta, and return triumphantly to Hong Kong, continuing their far-reaching Asia presence into 2026.
From Criticism to Praise Through U.S. Performances
Despite their triumphs, aespa faced pockets of criticism online. After performing on Good Morning America in September, some viewers claimed the stage did not meet expectations. However, their later appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show shifted the narrative. With sharp choreography and impressive live vocals, aespa delivered a commanding performance that silenced doubters. Fans praised the group for demonstrating both artistry and resilience under pressure.
Political Background of Ongoing Attacks
Yet criticism did not fully disappear. Many pointed out that the hostility targeting aespa is less about their music and more about politics. In June 2025, shortly before Korea’s presidential election, Karina shared a photo wearing a jacket containing colors and numbers linked to a conservative party. Since then, certain left-leaning voices have launched repeated attacks against her. Observers argue that recent negativity toward aespa stems from political motives rather than any lack of talent or performance quality.
SM Entertainment Responds with Legal Measures
SM Entertainment addressed the situation directly on September 30, 2025, announcing legal action against malicious online content. Within the Korean community MLBPARK, many fans welcomed the decision, emphasizing that unchecked false claims had reached an unsustainable level. Members of the forum noted that legal measures were necessary to protect aespa from targeted defamation. As aespa moves forward with their world tour, the group continues to balance artistic success with challenges posed by both public scrutiny and political controversy.
aespa performs in Hong Kong on February 7–8, 2025 at AsiaWorld Arena, marking a sold-out milestone in their third world tour.
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Seriously, attacking Karina over politics is BS. Isn’t South Korea a democracy? Getting dragged for expressing your views in a democracy is wild. And she literally said she had zero political intent.