5+ Times aespa’s Stylists Have Come Under Fire From Fans

Number 7 proves that styling decisions can be potentially dangerous.

K-Pop stylists are always trying to find new and exciting ways to style idols, trying to make sure that the idols’ outfit, hair, and makeup perfectly encapsulate their image. When it comes to aespa, SM Entertainment‘s founder Lee Soo Man is even involved in the process of styling his talented idols.

In an interview with Allure Korea, aespa’s makeup artist and visual advisor, Kwon Sun Young, talked about Lee Soo Man’s involvement in aespa’s styling. Explaining that the former CEO personally checks the members’ stylings.

He’d give confirmation for all of aespa’s hair and makeup looks. Even down to the angle of their bangs.

– Kwon Sun Young

Left to right: Aespa’s Ningning, Giselle, and Karina with Lee Soo Man | aespa/YouTube

But even with aespa’s outfits and hairstyles being checked so thoroughly, fans have voiced complaints against the group’s styling multiple times in the past.

In no particular order, here are seven times that aespa’s stylists have come under fire from fans.

1. 2021 Asia Artist Awards

Award shows usually are when a company tries to show off their idols’ visuals and style them in beautiful outfits likely to capture fans’ attention. But fans were extremely displeased by aespa’s styling at the 2021 Asia Artist Awards (also known as AAA).

Giselle, Winter, Karina, and NingNing

Fans believed that aespa’s outfits made the group look significantly older than they actually were. Although fans generally believed that NingNing‘s styling was the best, fans thought that the outfit was still too mature for a 19-year-old.

Karina‘s outfit was a unique mix of different textures and prints, which created an overall look that fans didn’t care for.

Fans believed that Giselle‘s outfit was ill-fitting for her figure, arguing that the belt made her look wider than she is and that the outfit didn’t do justice to her long legs.

Fans didn’t like Winter‘s outfit any better, believing that the broad shoulders and non-matching tulle end gave too mature a vibe.

2. Savage Press Conference

The styling for aespa’s press conference for their comeback, Savage, left netizens with mixed reactions. Although some fans liked the boss vibes of seeing the members in suits and blazers…

Fans once again voiced concerns about aespa’s styling being too mature, arguing that the looks would be more suitable for a group 5+ years into their career.

3. 2020 SBS Gayo Daejeon

Especially as aespa was a rookie group at the time, fans hoped SM Entertainment would help them stand out at the 2020 SBS Gayo Daejeon. But unfortunately, fans felt that the members’ outfits were relatively unattractive considering the importance of the event.

The outfits did look alright on stage while aespa was performing…

But fans couldn’t stand the unflattering style of the outfits, especially while aespa posed for pictures.

4. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Although fans were ecstatic that aespa would be the first K-Pop girl group to perform at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, many ended up disappointed by aespa’s styling. The members did stun with their incredible visuals, but fans felt let down that SM Entertainment put the group in outfits they had already worn on stage.

And while fans were at least grateful that aespa were able to wear coats to keep them warm…

| @dolcerinas/Twitter

They believed the group could have been given new outfits better suited to the cold.

| @dolcerinas/Twitter

5. Winter’s extensions

There’s no denying that aespa’s Winter is stunning, always impressing fans with her visuals and charisma. And while fans are currently loving her short hair…

| @aespa_official/Instagram
| @aespa_official/Instagram

Fans have often voiced concerns about the extensions Winter has frequently been given.

Especially when the extensions are a different color than her hair, fans believe the styling looks cheap and doesn’t highlight Winter’s incredible visuals.

6. NingNing’s uncomfortable outfit

Performing on stage is obviously an integral part of being a K-Pop idol, but unfortunately, the styling for idols’ stage outfits can often be uncomfortable or even dangerous to the idols. At a recent performance of “Girls” on Inkigayo, fans noticed that NingNing couldn’t focus on dancing because of her uncomfortable outfit.

The talented performer often tried to pull her too-short dress down during the performance. Fans felt that putting the idol in the outfit was an unacceptable decision from the stylists, especially given NingNing’s obvious discomfort.

7. NingNing’s dangerous heels

Although fans loved aespa’s “Company ver. Dance Practice” for their iconic song “Next Level,” fans couldn’t help but worry about the idols dancing in heels. Specifically, fans pointed out that NingNing was dancing in heels that didn’t fit her at all.

Given that heels are already challenging to dance in, fans were grateful that NingNing at least didn’t injure herself. But they also firmly believed that her stylists should have ensured her outfit was safe to dance in.

| @ningsite/Twitter
| @ningsite/Twitter

You can read more about aespa’s styling here.

Aespa’s Stylist Under Fire After Netizens See NingNing Look Uncomfortable In Her Short Outfit During “Inkigayo”

You can read more about styling issues in K-Pop here.

The Top 6 Reasons Why K-Pop Stylists Receive Backlash From Fans

Idols Done Dirty