K-pop group aespa is facing criticism following their recent performance of their new song “Rich Man” on ABC’s Good Morning America on May 13th. The appearance, which was the group’s third on the popular morning show, has sparked heated debate among viewers and fans online.
In 2023, the group’s performance of “Better Things” was aired on a massive Times Square billboard, earning widespread attention. However, the reception for their latest stage has been far more critical.
Immediately after their stage of “Rich Man,” viewers took to social media to voice their disappointment.
The most common complaint centered on accusations of lip-syncing. “Even though it’s their own song, it was entirely lip-synced instead of live,” one user commented. Another added, “It felt less like a performance and more like watching a cover dance team.”
The stage production and camera work also drew fire. Viewers accustomed to the dynamic, fast-paced camera movements of Korean music shows found the static, wide-angle shots on GMA to be unflattering. “The wide ‘full cam’ is brutal,” a commenter wrote, referencing the single shot that captures the entire group. Others noted, “Without the camera movements, the entire formation looks flat and unpolished,” and “Now I understand the importance of backup dancers.”
Beyond the technical aspects, some viewers criticized the members for a perceived lack of energy and enthusiasm. Many felt the group didn’t take full advantage of the major U.S. broadcast opportunity. Critics singled out Karina and Giselle, calling their moves “floppy,” “unnatural” and “stiff.”
Despite the backlash over the performance, aespa’s new mini-album, Rich Man, released on May 5th, has been a massive commercial success. The album marked the group’s seventh consecutive album to sell over a million copies as it surpassed 1.11 million pre-orders.
The album has also dominated international charts. It hit #1 on the iTunes Top Albums charts in 14 different countries and topped multiple digital album sales charts on China’s QQ Music, where it earned a ‘Platinum’ certification for sales exceeding one million yuan. Additionally, Rich Man proved the group’s continued global popularity by securing the top spot on Kugou Music’s digital album chart in China and Japan’s AWA real-time rising chart.
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