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SM Entertainment thanks aespa for its 90% success rate, fans say 'oh the NCT erasure'

Fans are upset with SM Entertainment for claiming that the 2020 girl group aespa is responsible for the label's success

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA: It is true that aespa (Aespa) is one of the biggest girl groups to exist from the fourth generation of Blackpink, closely following the global records set by the likes of Blackpink. Within two years of their debut, aespa has already beat the record of Blackpink more times than one but their popularity can be credited to the global reach of K-pop. However, one thing is for sure that aespa's success has yielded fruitful results for the label - SM Entertainment.

Now, SM Entertainment's co-CEOs share their views about aespa's contribution to the success rate of the label but fans of other groups under SM are displeased. Fans are calling SM Reps out for their lack of appreciation for groups like EXO, SHINee, NCT, Red Velvet, and more that have done far better for the label than aespa, all thanks to the vast number of years since their debut. Other fans also claim that aespa's success is only because SM Entertainment is doing its best to push the rookie girl group in comparison to their contemporaries.

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SM CEOs credit aespa for the success of the label

On August 12, the co-CEOs of SM Entertainment heralded the opening of SM Entertainment's label collective called SM Town as they discussed how the last decade has been successful for the company. They also shared their views about bringing out artists like BoA, Kangta, Super Junior, and Girls' Generation that were the originators of the Korean Wave. They shared how 10 years have now passed and the virtual SM Nation has grown as the concept of Metaverse, something that was introduced as aespa's concept is getting more recognition.

At the event, the SM CEOs also talked more about the launch of their metaverse business globally and how the label has had a 90% success rate when it comes to promoting new popular music acts. From its first generation, SM started with groups like H.O.T, SES, soloist BoA, and Shinhwa in the 1990s they followed it with superstar-level idols from the second gen such as TVXQ, Girls' Generation, Super Junior, and SHINee. SM followed this with third generations EXO, Red Velvet, and NCT, and now with aespa as the only group from the label in the fourth generation.

'aespa will amplify SM's future value'

The CEOs state that given the fact that NCT had driven the success of the label in 2021, aespa is expected to drive the label's performance in 2022. Claiming that the group comes with a metaverse-based (Kwangya-based) concept, aespa is an eight-member girl group that debuted in 2020. With four members coming from countries like South Korea, China, and Japan along with four virtual members, aespa has most bases covered as one group alone.

While talking about aespa's contribution to the success of SM Entertainment, CEO Lee Seung-seo said, "aespa has become a keyword that will amplify SM's future value." He added, "Usually, we need to invest a lot in artists and once they debut, we expect to lose money, but aespa has set an unprecedented record among K-pop girl groups." 

'EXO had way more impact'

Fans however do not agree with SM Entertainment representatives as they think that the label is trying to sideline the contribution of other groups under SM. One fan said, "Oh the NCT erasure." Another fan said, "Lol it’s because they only pushed aespa and SM being desperate for western validation marketing there n neglected other potential groups in their company such as red velvet." Another responded, "I mean, RedVelvet was given so many comebacks for 6 years being the only active gg. Now, it's 4th gen so they'd obviously promote the new gg. And, let's all be honest. Atleast now, aespa is more trending than RV so for now, they would promote aespa more." One fan said, "I’m proud of aespa But they are forgetting a lot of other groups. It’s a combined effort."

One more fan said, "No one cares about your Kwangya, that's not even interesting for now. What are the challenges? SM is struggling to make it interesting. I swear I could write a more interesting lore." Another fan said, "Aespa really did bring up the game and they had a great debut and are doing good with every cb but they should not forget about NCT too. They also gave their share." One fan said, "Plss they had one hit and sm's acting like they are their greatest grp ever lmao exo had way more impact." One more fan said, "Aespa don really have anything but suspiciously high album sales that don't match with their other achievements." 

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