aespa – releases ‘WDA (Whole Different Animal)(feat. G-DRAGON)’ ahead of their second studio album

Global K-pop powerhouse aespa released their new single ‘WDA (Whole Different Animal) (feat. G-DRAGON)’ via SM Entertainment. The first offering from their forthcoming second full-length album, LEMONADE, arriving 29 May, the single is accompanied by an official music video. 

‘WDA (Whole Different Animal) (feat. G-DRAGON)’ is a hip-hop-infused dance track driven by heavy synth basslines and an instantly infectious hook. Marking a striking new chapter in aespa’s ever-evolving lore, the song showcases the group’s continued musical evolution while amplifying the high-concept intensity that has become their signature. BIGBANG leader G-DRAGON brings his distinctive rap style and commanding presence to the track, adding a sharp new edge to aespa’s sound. 

The music video for ‘WDA (Whole Different Animal)’ explores a world where the line between reality and the digital realm has become increasingly blurred, to the point where even the idea of what is “real” begins to lose meaning. Throughout the video, figures that look like aespa — but are clearly not aespa — appear and multiply, creating a growing sense of unease and disorientation. Amid the chaos and collision of fractured identities, aespa ultimately breaks through the “Complæxity” and reclaim their own existence.

Since their debut, aespa have built a unique lore centred around the coexistence of their real-world identities as aespa and their virtual counterparts, æ-aespa. Expanding on that long-running narrative, the ‘WDA (Whole Different Animal)’ music video reflects the unsettling atmosphere of today’s digital culture, where familiar images are endlessly replicated and consumed. By blurring the boundaries between original and replica, reality and virtuality, the video naturally invites viewers to question what is real.

aespa will release their second full-length album LEMONADE on 29 May at 1 PM KST. Featuring ‘WDA (Whole Different Animal)’, the album showcases the group’s expanded musical range across electronic dance, hip-hop, rock, and R&B pop. Pre-orders are now available through online and offline retailers worldwide.

In addition to the release, aespa will embark on their upcoming world tour on 7 August 2026-27 aespa LIVE TOUR – SYNK: COMPLæXITY, bringing their acclaimed live production to arenas across Asia, North America, Latin America, the UK, and Europe. The tour includes stops in New York on 18 September and Los Angeles on 3 October. Tickets are on sale now.

aespa is a global K-pop force renowned for their distinctive concept and powerful performances. The four members—KARINA, WINTER, GISELLE, and NINGNING—engage in a wide range of activities rooted in a unique multiverse that transcends the real and digital worlds, and the slogan “Only I can define myself.”

Since their breakout debut with “Black Mamba” in 2020, aespa has continued to break records. Their 2022 EP Girls topped the Billboard Top Album Sales chart and entered the Billboard 200 at No. 3, marking their highest chart performance at the time. Their third EP MY WORLD also claimed No. 1 on the Top Album Sales chart.

These achievements were followed by the EP Drama, their first full-length album Armageddon, their fifth mini album Whiplash, the physical single ‘Dirty Work’, and sixth mini album Rich Man, with aespa achieving million-seller status for seven consecutive releases, further solidifying their powerful presence. Most recently, aespa joined forces with Anderson .Paak on “Keychain (FROM THE FILM K-POPS!),” representing K-pop as a leading act on the original soundtrack while highlighting their distinctive global sound.

After winning “Group of the Year” at Billboard Women in Music 2025, aespa was recently nominated for “Best Female K-Pop Artist” at the 2026 American Music Awards (AMAs). The group was even recognised in the design space, receiving a Red Dot Design Award 2026 in the Product Design category for the ‘Dirty Case Ver.’ of their single ‘Dirty Work’. With their second full-length album LEMONADE set for May and a world tour on the horizon, aespa continues to expand their global presence and connect with fans around the world.