aespa’s Unexpected Action At “Melon Music Awards” Hit With Extreme Hate

What seemed like an innocent moment at the 2025 Melon Music Awards this week has turned into controversy as Korean netizens slam aespa for their reaction to an old video clip.

The group attended Melon’s star-studded awards ceremony in Seoul on December 20, where they picked up three trophies of their own. Before the artists taking home this year’s Daesangs were announced, the organizers played a highlight reel featuring winners from the past — including aespa’s “Record of the Year” win back in 2021.

In the clip, the members can be seen with their signature “Savage” era styling. Following the ceremony, fans shared behind-the-scenes footage of the artists’ reactions during the event to social media. In one such clip, which went viral on TikTok with over 800,000 views, Giselle and Winter can be seen laughing hysterically while the video of their award win is playing.

@ae.aespa04

I laughed so hard omgggg they’re so unseriousss 😭😭 #aespa #giselle #winter #MMA2025 #fyp

♬ marklee laugh – 🐳 𝐬𝐚𝐩𝐢 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐮 🐳

While many fans found their laughter amusing, the reaction has triggered scathing comments from Korean netizens. In one post on X (formerly Twitter) with 4 million views and 11,000 likes, one netizen slammed the members for their behavior.

There they go doing this shit again at an official event lmao.

— @o4onhn on X

The comment appears to be referring to the 2025 ASEA back in May, where aespa faced heavy criticism after bursting into uncontrollable laughter at Karina mispronouncing the group’s name. Their appearance came just days after Karina was accused of showing public support to conservative candidate Kim Moon Soo during the election season, and many netizens felt the members were making light of the situation.

More netizens quickly piled on with harsh remarks, particularly with regard to the difference in the members’ appearances in 2021.

It’s because their faces look different from now.

— @D6710787670605 on X

Because it’s from before plastic surgery.

— @yangdo636370 on X

Yeah, I react like that too when I see photos of myself from before my double-eyelid surgery.

— @homosapiens0910 on X

I’d be shocked too if my old photos from before my image was set got dug up.

— @choegyeong44479 on X

Last month, the aespa members’ visual transformation since debut triggered fierce debate among international netizens. Many claimed they look completely different from five years ago and accused them of undergoing excessive plastic surgery procedures, while other fans defended the changes as down to aging and makeup.

aespa’s Visual Changes Since Debut Trigger Scathing Plastic Surgery Accusations

Several idols have come under fire after this year’s Melon Music Awards, and this isn’t aespa’s only reaction that has resulted in backlash. Giselle has also been slammed by Korean netizens for allegedly disrespecting BLACKPINK’s Jennie during her performance.

aespa’s Giselle Under Fire For Severely Disrespecting BLACKPINK’s Jennie