Fourth-gen leader aespa made their debut on November 17, 2020, with their digital single "Black Mamba." To make things more memorable, there was a unique twist in their introduction to the K-pop scene since aespa was initially an "eight-membered" group.

Members Karina, Winter, Giselle, and NingNing debuted alongside their digital selves, which are members of ae-aespa. The avatars also made a lasting impression among K-pop stans and were also heavily involved in expanding SM's worldview of KWANGYA.

    

Aespa combines from the words ae from (Avatar X Experience) and aspect which means two side, to symbolize the idea of meeting another self (æ-æspa) and experiencing the new world named Kwangya. pic.twitter.com/15mnisN2sv

— Sailor of K4MAL, Aba. (@winteuim) March 1, 2022

The AI versions of aespa received mixed reactions at first, but it eventually grew among K-pop fans, as it's also one of the reasons why aespa stands out among other K-pop girl groups.

However, as time passed for aespa's career, the avatars of ae-aespa gradually became absent in their concepts.

On May 27, K-netz established an online thread titled, "Meanwhile, It's Clear They Got Kicked Out From The Group Today." The author then specified on the absence of ae-aespa and jokingly relayed a narrative about SM "kicking out" the avatars.

Has aespa successfully gotten rid of their ae membershttps://t.co/bDMiq38lHd pic.twitter.com/FQtJ1EzCns

— pannchoa (@pannchoa) May 27, 2024

Here's what OP said:

"They haven't shown their faces since the pre-release and are locked into the storage for a while now. Today, aespa's full album came out and they didn't participate at all.

They were dividing their salaries over 'N' and until now, it would've been legendary for them. I don't think they're coming back and I feel they got into a scandal.

SM Entertainment isn't known for hiding someone and kicking them out quietly. Soon we will get news about the group continuing as four members."

Netizens were baffled by the post, causing them to go along with the post's humor.

•  "Meh, anyways, the MYs are all OT4 akgaes so do we even need them anymore? I wonder if the fans of the ae members will still be fans."
•  "Weren't they so poor that they couldn't even change their clothes?
•  "aespa are successful even without them so why must they be here? The kids who are OT8 are the only ones sad about this."
•  "We haven't seen their faces on music shows at all and don't they have 0 line distribution either?"
•  "Other members are filming CFs and attending events, so if they really divided earnings by 'N', then they have no shame."
•  "I just wish that they withdraw and leave soon. They should add Naevis as a new member instead."

Amid the amusing thread, international fans expressed that the concept of ae-aespa had lots of potential indeed, but was executed poorly.

•  "æ-aespa as a concept had so much potential, but the execution was tacky af."
•  "I don't think they will ever bring back the aes or their culture universe episodes, notice how they stopped altogether after Lee Soo-man's departed from SM."
•  "Nah, SMCU is still happening. But please change their clothes."
•  "I still believe they could do a game with them. A mobile game at least."

Do you already miss ae-aespa? Let us know in the comments below!

For more intriguing K-pop news and exciting updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz.

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Written by Israel Monte