The Kulture Study: aespa 'Whiplash' MV

[@ss0ju]

the girls had 4 comebacks this year and somehow every single one is a hit. sm has absolutely destroyed its reputation but at least they're killing it with aespa 💀

[@ninemilwer]

Theyre making sure that pig doesn't escape its pigpen again and learn how to behave like a caged one

[@Ghostintheeshell]

💀

[@Elric-zz2sb]

it’s also ironic because the hiatus between girls and spicy was so long while this year they’ve definitely been overworked

[@Cloverferns]

3 right?

[@mirmirza9467]

​3 comebacks 1 debut ​@@Cloverferns

[@indahfebryanaa]

"giselle is actually murdering this" CANT AGREE MOREEEEEEEEEEEE SHE BE SHINING SO BRIGHT THIS COMEBACK AAAAAA

[@CinnamonGal97]

Been saying it since Armageddon.. it's HER ERA, probably even her year 😭

[@sabrinas4355]

2024 is aespa's year. They need to win that Artist of the Year man

[@Avoinee]

They do at MMA ❤

[@ot7biasedmashups]

Aespa are actually unstoppable I cannot fathom how you release Drama, Supernova, Armageddon and Whiplash back to back and that's only the title tracks. Like they are on a ROLL. Edit: a lot of you guys are mentioning Hot Mess and Spicy but I'm talking about how huge they've gotten. Their music has always been peak but ever since Drama there was a significant rise in budget and popularity. Ofc Hot Mess and Spicy are heat but unfortunately they did not throw Aespa into this level of insanity

[@kaederukawa8773]

and hot mess im addicted to it

[@wowwow6488]

back to back to back to back straight BOPS, they're truly insane

[@hindelaouani7089]

justice for spicy

[@Levascue]

They became a new SNSD of this era. Other groups should reconsider their schedules, when aespa announce a date of their comebacks (ILLIT was destroeyed by them in terms of ranking in music charts) - this is SNSD aura.

[@noahfan2719]

aespa’s dominating presence this year was enough to convert me to a full-on fan. i thought their early works were pretty solid (became a kpop fan last year for reference, latest comeback was drama at that point) but aside from next level and savage, there wasn’t enough i loved to justify tuning in full-time. their run of supernova -> armageddon -> whiplash changed that. haven’t adored a group this much since red velvet. comeback announcements are like a category 5 hype moment for me now.

[@ss0ju]

i thought supernova & armageddon were the peak of aespa choreo but the choreographers ATE with whiplash

[@octopusmusic332]

Naan.. this choreo is bad man

[@octopusmusic332]

I mean this song is not kpop danceable...I love the choreo but you know what i am talking about

[@ss0ju]

@@octopusmusic332 i don't actually, i fw this choreo heavy

[@vincent-x1u]

​@@octopusmusic332 idk what you're talking about bro, the hand neck move in the chorus is so catchy, been doing it since the mv came out

[@Avoinee]

Uhmm sorry but Savage is their best aespacore so far

[@5166y]

how you pointed out ningnings’s heel being stolen but her falling looking glamourous, it’s part of the lyric to “keep it classy” so she’s falling rather “elegantly” (or i say cvnty 😭)

[@nicolasmagalhaeslussim2711]

I actually think it has more to do with the lyrics "they copy one idea two then the whole look, then they deny it". They are literally copying her heel taking the idea from her but she still keeps it classy

[@taeyeonspa]

ningning and giselle went crazy in this comeback

[@AnimeFreakpz]

OMG YEEES

[@CinnamonGal97]

Real!!

[@CinnamonGal97]

I thought this cb is very Ningning coded but Giselle.. I didn't expect that never ending glow up this year 😶‍🌫️

[@decemberblue9307]

I remember during the beginning years of aespa, people often complained about their lack of stage presence especially after the "Girls" release. But damn this year has been THE year for them. Full on confidence and straight up hits. It's actually insane their growth this year am actually so damn proud of them

[@sunflower4648]

Yesyesyes, 100%. Honestly I always saw potencial in them since debut like I love all of the songs even girls but I felt like I needed more from them like: "they need to have more fun on stage and play more with the songs" typa vibe , specially from winter and sometimes giselle. I feel like whiplash all of than growth (since spicy era) has come together from all of them in full harmony, they just keep getting better and better.

[@abnerleal1251]

​@@sunflower4648and now Winter is one of the best performers of 4th gen. They took all the criticize to become better (they didn't deserve it tho), and I'm really proud of them.

[@sunflower4648]

@abnerleal1251 yes, I honestly didn't have much faith on winter (I never left hate comments tho, just focused on other groups) and she proved me wrong like the queen she is, I really admire her for that (Now all I need is to see her performing Savage with her current stage presence)

[@jnvrflrs]

progress of Aespa is really good .. Supernova is memorable..the weirdness on its Music Video helped them to be on top

[@suhbrly]

AESPA IS ON A HIT ROLL !! at this point they're unstoppable

[@kenken-tk5nr]

There's nothing to grand about this song. It's simple, it's catchy, no over the top vocals and a little less harmony. But what makes it great is that-it is AESPA. They're the flavor to this song.

[@sophiasadik8155]

Very well said ❤

[@kayonice8600]

u r so fr

[@Basticio]

It’s actually quite the opposite ! Their creative directors said that they know the song will be quite divisive and experimental but only aespa can pull it off and push boundaries so they went with it !

[@Aethid]

How is this song experimental?

[@kq.13]

⁠@@Aethida lot of aespa’s music is considered experimental, including whiplash, due to the blend of futuristic sounds and pop quality

[@TheBlbeemer]

Interesting

[@TheBlbeemer]

​@@Aethidit's not Kpop is why it's experimental.

[@Aethid]

@kq.13 But we aren't talking about Aespa, we are talking about Whiplash, which is a vocal techno song. That isn't really experimental.

[@user-nw8jw4rh7x]

one of the member(i think winter?) said that this song has been marinating for a while which made me so happy and excited about aespa's future albums cuz sm must have some gooood songs just waiting for the right time to be released🥹🥹🥹

[@Cressellion]

Yeah every song they’ve released post-girls has been something that they’ve been preparing for beforehand but was delayed because of the lsm drama and their main music producer leaving to follow him. Next comeback should be after their tour ends in march so I’m wondering which song they’re picking from the vault to use

[@noahfan2719]

their main producer left? that’s concerning D:

[@Cressellion]

@@noahfan2719 yeah from black mamba -> girls the person who shaped their discography was yoo young-Jin who’s a legend not just in SM but in the industry as well. You can see his name on all their title tracks from that period. When LSM left SM after Girls he followed him since he’s very loyal to him. It’s why there was a bit of change in aespa’s sound after girls.

[@lauraagarh]

​@@Cressellionand it was for the best because i love their music even more now

[@jessieguo0088]

I feel like Whiplash was released with the intention to maintain the exposure and popularity of AESPA but I’m surprised the quality of the song and the fact they chose to go to a completely different direction. Thanks for the reaction and support! ❤❤❤❤

[@1Pinkballoon]

That NingNing part IS CRAZY and she is giving Cvnt and I’m 10000% here for it and I want more

[@octopusmusic332]

Ningning is Ningningning

[@Ycheee]

Aespa has been shining since debut but something happened after Girls era. They became unstoppable. They internalized their concept instead of just singing about kwangya.

[@user-nw8jw4rh7x]

the first watch was definition of speechless lol

[@static-san]

Dare I say, I think SM has cemented Aespa's aesthetic and sound with Whiplash. They do this so well and it's such a good match for their vocals and performance skills.

[@chuuu4610]

Ningning’s Fanncyyy~ part is my favourite too 🤝 The camera panning is art and whoever decided that is a god. Hallelujah.

[@OnyxLynx6]

Love that she got a little rap moment too this comeback

[@y2kmav]

i heard sassy

[@viwizzzx_x3649]

GG of the year ... fight me. It's just unbelievable at this point 😂 This literally gave me a whiplash... Watch me doing cat walk to this song for at least month while going to work 😅❤

[@Kat-mg6qb]

I'm thinking they released this to keep their presence strong til the end of the year.

[@suleymanefedogan6807]

Oh they will keep it 100% 😭😭

[@Chichi11186]

they didn’t even need it with karina’s solo song doing so well, which is crazy.

[@HS-qf3tl]

Sm did it well this year to maintain Aespa popularity and increase it and secure awards shows of 2024. Because, in the end of this year and next year we will have the comeback of bigger artists as G-Dragon, Rosé, Blackpink ant others

[@ninemilwer]

Ohhh thats so smart of them to not get swept under the rug when bigger artists will make a comeback next year

[@boykisser712]

@@ninemilwer 😂😂😂

[@yianantonio3980]

definitely! 2025 is alr looking to be a very big year for kpop with the long awaited bts and bp comeback (and the pinks' solo albums) so it's good that they made good use of the spotlight on them this year

[@abnerleal1251]

At this point, I'm really confident that they can compete with them. Aespa is on another level of music production.

[@HS-qf3tl]

The success of their comebacks and the feedback from korean and international audiences has allowed them to solidify their position and musical identity within the industry. Aespa has already had comebacks at the same time as big artists, I think. I hope they win SOTY & AOTY this year. They are untouchable now, some companies should take notes.

[@Agentvoo7]

More than anything this whole song and video gave me a fashion show vibe

[@NiclasKPop]

2024 is aespa's year and its not even close. You also NEED to check out Flowers from the new EP, its AMAZING!

[@williamdibble1292]

Yes! Flowers is sooooo good!

[@moloko_127]

Flowers is literally song of the year for me

[@mantaren]

That car is a DeLorean & Karina goes backwards in reverse gear, followed by that trippy transition. It all connects to Back to the Future & it's such a dope reference.

[@cheesenutz4538]

the song was supposd to be released earlier this year but was delayed due to internal conflicts. apparently, they've been preparing for this cb since last year.

[@kkukukyakya]

04:00 I feel you, bro. I felt the same feelings after watching it.

[@zeronyne]

I had the EXACT deer-in-the-headlights reaction that you did on first viewing. Every frame is so incredibly precisely composed. It feels like one of those hyper engineered puzzles that look seamless when assembled.

[@eunicebluu]

My boyfriend isn’t a K-pop stan at all, but he was completely hooked on how good Whiplash is 🥺 I think it’s partly because it’s an EDM type that a lot of guys enjoy.

[@polidengdalawir3389]

As I am hooked when my daughter played this 😂

[@GilangD21]

This MV is like a moving photoshoot

[@angelina1071]

aespa are both the most consistent kpop group while also constantly pushing the boundaries of whatever subgenre they decide to dabble in in both genre and visuals. just insane

[@sseraph777]

not only did this top Armageddon and Supernova for me, it also topped all their previous title tracks and this mini album is their 2nd best after Savage imo

[@Avoinee]

Yup Savage is still their best aespacore to me, everything about Savage era is too unreal, it's just flawless from the concept, single, bsides, photoshoot, instrumental, vocal, theory... literally everything I could say. And Whiplash is such a bop after it, after all these years, not even Drama or Armageddon era comes close to it; but this time Whiplash does.

[@nekromi97]

Wouldn't surprise me if they end up in the top 3 for song of the year with Armageddon, supernova and whiplash

[@ng.6180]

They better 💁🏻‍♀️ cuz every release was better than the last one.

[@lauraagarh]

Whiplash is considered for next year in majority of the award shows like MAMA

[@Avoinee]

They do at MMA

[@valivixia]

This feels like it's pulling together Drama + Supernova + Armageddon as a culmination of the arc! Lots of hints of the car (Drama), the color usage in places(Drama also), the light and the destruction in places (Supernova + Armageddon). Like this is so stunning and a very cool unification of the concepts of the selves that has been the themes of the last three songs into the 'final' here!

[@Kaylinnf56]

I haven't seen a concept executed so perfectly in every aspect in a loooong time. Everything was perfect, from the mv to the choreo to the styling to the song. Incredibly done.

[@Lakuza]

As a big Aespa fan, The past year has been an incredible run from them. I've not been given the chance to feel like I'm missing anything from Aespa (I mean this in a good way). Even going back to My World mini album and then with Better things to drama, first half of the year having tons of collabs and singles before armageddon even came out. Then we got Hotmess, their concert solos getting released and now Whiplash. I've never followed an artist or group before that has output so much in less than 18 months and had the quality remain so consistent and stable for me. My end of year spotify stats is gonna be absolutely dominated by Aespa XD

[@tn-t]

Aespa is wild, they’re killing the game right now

[@camila.ariass]

this song absolutely gagged me. 😭 aespa is eating this year

[@kpopahjussi]

I'm glad to see you enjoy it, and with good reason. All of the online critics I follow are loving this. You can tell that SM isn't afraid to spend the cash on aespa. And whoever the creative director behind their videos is, that person is earning their pay.

[@Goulou_]

this is their year they're crushing everything they do

[@buleluuukiimm]

Been waiting for your reaction as soon as the MV dropped

[@jomills4103]

2024 = the year of aespa. They have absolutely DOMINATED 👑👑👑

[@edobredo21]

SM hit the jackpot with aespa and no one can deny it. Aespa growing so well!

[@elucas6127]

flights not feelings is now one of my favorites aespa b-sides, that mini album really caught me off guard

[@joshmills9302]

I know!

[@joshmills9302]

So magical

[@dyaebl1666]

They all look so stunning in this mv. I didn't think I can love them even more but here we are ❤

[@milesmatsune2335]

bro First Drama, SUpernova, Arageddon and then this BRO THEY CANT KEEP GETTING AWAY WITH THIS LIKE BRO

[@blackpearlstuds]

Aespa did the thing with Whiplash. I am not even a stan, and I am crazy about the song and the MV. There are many visually interesting bits in the MV that make me want to see it repeatedly. Just that classy fall from Ningning sent me XD. And Winter had that high fashion model face down. The concept is really cool. This has been a great week for music from gg. Please also check out Purple Kiss. I see that the reaction for tripleS VV just dropped, so watching that next. Thank you!

[@JemuzuDatsWho]

the degree of cvnt was incomprehensible tbh

[@GoroOno]

Every new song tops the last one. Crazy run they are on.

[@sonecaavril]

3:36 FACT !

[@jaeminlover3000]

Aespa had such a good run this year other butthurt companies couldn’t help but tune in and take notes

[@jeroen2535]

The greatest danger for aespa is now that future comebacks can be disappointing. We are now used to such a high level. I'm curious if they can keep up this level, there is now no way turning back.

[@房-p7c]

LOVE how GG is shining in Whiplash🥹🥹🩷

[@barbarapds]

10:37 PRECISELY

[@poluxyexo]

Exaaaaactly

[@han_js598]

aespa Whiplash is charting top3 on 4 major korean music platforms right now. Its kinda rare to see an edm music charting that high🤯 i thought this cb is just for the art, not chart but damnn im so totally wrong😂

[@mistress.villaina7591]

it shows that when you do something well, even people who normally don't listen to it love it

[@melthebb]

The fact that aespa has consistently killed it is incredible and something I don't think we'll see again from another group, at least not for a very long time. I don't have words to fully encapsulate my thoughts but I really think the girls hit it big starting with Drama last year. I think once they dropped the lore (meaning Black Mamba, ae's, etc) and focused on just making incredible music, the quality went way up. Not saying their early releases were weak necessarily, but simply not as good as Drama, Armageddon, Supernova, and now Whiplash. I have never listened to a group as much as I've listened to aespa, and I'm an Sone, like.... aespa really is my ult group now. Even their b-sides are solid, and I'm usually someone who doesn't listen to full albums. They push the envelope every release and I love them so much for it. aespa 짱

[@springss1861]

Just wanna point out that in one of their stages. They utilized b-roll from Armageddon and tied it in to security cameras

[@infernopyre]

Spee-speechless.

[@AvesPasseri-Jinysvet]

The video gives James Bond intro songs vibes. And the 8:40... gives Depeche Mode. That is probably why I was hooked on the song, quite incredibly. AESPA songs are for some strange reasons my favourite from the Savage era. They are not my typical music taste but still. The electronic direction that I like from Depeche Mode (as a fan) is here and I like it.

[@markd.9538]

They are getting better and better. I honestly hope they keep the trajectory going and don’t flame-out. They work so hard and deserve success.

[@carterbeaudry9671]

i HIGHLY recommend watching jung the dance practice, for those who haven’t yet. the choreo is absolutely amazing

[@lunarizon1981]

Waiting for this one

[@aeriarichan]

I've been waiting for your reaction. Been constantly visiting your account. Thank you for the reaction.🙏

[@rendoesntexist]

drama, armaggedon, hot mess (deserves so much more recognition, that song is insane), whiplash in less than a year is CRAAAAAAAZYYYYYYYY i've stanned them since debut and it was about damn time people recognized them, their discography is one of the best in all of kpop, it's not that every song is good, every song is fucking perfect, i can't put into words how much i love their music edit: oh this album is just as insane don't worry

[@spdjmc]

What a song, mix, video, dance, aethetic, vibe from Aespa and SM. *claps*

[@doyoungIuv]

PD, thanks you for this reaction, your faces during the first watch are reaction pic worthy 😂 You're gonna love the album! (slight spoilers ahead) I usually don't like aespa's b-sides as much as title tracks (of course there are exceptions like Salty and Sweet, I'm Unhappy, or most of the Savage album) but Flights, not Feelings might be one of favorite kpop songs this year. And Kill It has one of my favorite Winter lines ever!

[@denizbabacan6451]

you should listen the album!!! flowers is a bop ive been listening to it nonstop

[@XennialKpopStan]

10:06 Glad someone else had a similar reaction to this part! This might be my favorite part of the song too. 🖤

[@Nonamegaera]

SM finally doing something right for aespa.

[@hivelsword]

I offer the director of this MV my first born. I will never not be in awe. The song/composer as well. DRAMA is a MASTERCLASS MV and song. And it got edged out by Whiplash as my #1 12/10

[@yaxluciotto9638]

The ningning part is also my favorite, just crazy

[@kitanaiBL]

the video looks exactly like that Mugler commercial from not too long ago

[@naomigracenolasco4976]

My personal Opinion: when I watched the MV for the first time, I thought that this was Aespa’s answer to the popular trend in Kpop with repetitive lyrics and a “very short” song, but it still feels complete.

[@mistress.villaina7591]

exactly!!

[@StephieC]

I don't normally listen to Aespa but this song & mv are pretty good

[@yy-us5gy]

tbh aespa post lsm have been killing it, the constant critiques of their stages in their early yrs seem so ridiculous now, like they were intended for a different grp entirely lmfao

[@jurgenwklein]

NINGNING OWNED THIS ERA

[@s0nyuhshigay]

I was also surprised when they came back again, but I think it might be so they have more songs to perform on tour. I saw them earlier this year and am seeing them again next year, and I'm legit so excited. There's going to be so many new songs I haven't seen them perform yet

[@kayonice8600]

22:11 wow.. genuinely getting impressed that it made us speechless literally feel like there are not enough words left to describe how impressive abt what aespa has been giving rn

[@AmoralPhat40oz]

What I think is happening: The sphere represents the 4 of them. Each piece is slightly different and it’s a tug of war to keep it together, but when they do.. it becomes them being in the driver seat for creation. I think this is them taking the wheel, and SM trusts them. Armageddon/Supernova was the enlightenment and Whiplash is the deliverance of the theme. Like the twist ending of a movie where everything that came before it suddenly makes sense..

[@YanKenPon]

Usually the releases of these dates are made thinking about the end of the year presentations, they did it last year with Drama and I bet they are preparing something impressive for the MAMA or the MMA.

[@iamcerasus]

4:12, true. This is because all the song sounds the same, very repetitive. It's a good track, but doesn't have aespa's soty signature.

[@westernuniverse7347]

Facts! Anyway, did anyone notice that this producer in the cover of the cover resembles Um Ki-joon in The Penthouse War in Life, when he stood with his mouth open?

[@shannonrudder]

Always love and appreciate your reactions PD. 👏 I swear our reactions are always so similar I can’t help but laugh. The sheer disbelief the first seconds into the song that they did exactly what you thought they might be out to accomplish was me 100% 😂

[@dandumlao]

And this song is doing good in the ccharts as well is sooo commendable!

[@rae-ku6041]

Aespa music are a serious mystery to me, I NEVER like it when I hear it the 1st time I always go like nah this is not good, but THEN the 2nd listen my mind start processing the beats and vocals and I switch to nah this the best song ever HOW DOES IT ALWAYS HAPPEN??

[@eunicebluu]

ikrrr? 😂

[@matthewjzack.9447]

Re: Coming back so soon after Armageddon I'm sure you're aware of the...*controversies* going on and how it actually catapulted Supernova and Armageddon's success. If I had to dive into the mind of the people behind their promotions and marketing, coming back so soon after the behemoth of a comeback that was Armageddon with Whiplash is pure genius. The ongoing bombshells has kept æspa in the consciousness of the Korean GP especially, so I take it that their team is riding that wave. Coming back with a track so whiplashy like Whiplash is just a stroke of pure genius. All *this* is just cementing that æspa's releases this year has been a cultural reset.

[@doublered]

I like Whiplash as much as you do and the stage is pretty amazing as well! I'm not even aespa's fan but apprciate this track with this music video so much

[@SunnynStitch]

Honestly when I heard the teaser I didn’t think I would like the song at all but HONEEEEYYYYY IM OBSESSED

[@-rinrinrin]

the way Ningning had me on a choke-hold 😩🤌🏽

[@derpppp000]

been waiting for this to drop!

[@fromtheeast4602]

I ALWAYS LIKE UR REACTION

[@12yrKpopStan]

This is Aespa's year and they are dominating. Loved it at first listen. Take away their plates cause they left no damn crumbs🔥🔥And Giselle🌙owned this video imo.

[@OfficialEDC]

14:33 they used that same transition in Drama towards the end of the video, I wonder if it serves any purpose because I can’t imagine them being „sloppy“ and reusing stuff or it being the same just randomly.

[@pandora4744]

Apparently this was supposedly released after drama… i feel like this is sort of an addition of their lore thats why that transition somehow looks similar to drama

[@kwangyanpc]

aespa been slaying despite of releasing new things and not following the trends

[@CinnamonGal97]

I LOVE THIS REACTION thank you!!! You said exactly what had to be said 🫶🏻

[@WiseSmellyLegs]

I guess it will take me some time to decide how I feel about the song itself. But the music video?? Armaggedon was krazy like Lil Jon and Pitbull (😅😅), but this music video somehow perfectly embodies the DNA of aespa even without making any references to their former Kwangya concept nor showing any super powers or super natural things and although I am really into all of that, this is truly an interesting approach. It all looks “simple” and minimalistic while still being hyper futuristic and aespa-like!

[@AmoralPhat40oz]

That was my reaction the first time too.. woooftt!

[@ronnie218]

aespa MURDERED this year its just hit after hit after hit with them

[@EmmaCieKocha]

The part where she falls in slowmotion is so fashion and (somehow queer) coded i can't even > love love loooove it

[@nineplustentwentyone26]

PD... the number of times I have repeated Ningning's part in Whiplash is unhealthy.. please help me

[@DDankeschon]

THIS IS WHAT MEOVV DROPPED THE BALL ON!! They went a different route from their reveals and it saddens me. IM SO HAPPY AESPA DID THIS AND I WAS ALIVE TO WITNESS THIS!😭😭😭

[@monamochaa]

really glad SM is investing this hard in aespa