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After TIME, aespa make it to Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2022, fans say 'the impact'

Previously, aespa became the first girl group and second K-pop group to make it on TIME’s ‘Next Generation Leaders’ list

The general public is having the time of their life as it is now college festival season in South Korea with universities inviting popular singers and beloved K-pop groups to perform. We had the likes of Hyuna, PSY, Winner, IVE and (G)I-DLE performing. Popular girl group aespa too were invited for their first two university festivals where Winter went viral for her adorable look and high energy. And while they are turning heads in their home country, aespa is also getting recognized internationally as they were honored by Forbes.

Previously, aespa became the first girl group and second K-pop group to make it on TIME’s ‘Next Generation Leaders’ list. They were selected as one of the 10 most influential people of 2022. TIME shared that aespa was chosen as the next global trendsetter for enhancing culture with their cutting edge technology by combining music and AI concept to create a metaverse to bridge reality and virtual spaces. And now the girl group has been selected by Forbes for their 30 Under 30 list of Asian influencers for 2022.

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Forbes selects aespa for 30 Under 30 Asia 2022 list

On May 27, Forbes released their 30 Under 30 Asia list for 2022 to acknowledge 30 Asian leaders and innovators under the age of 30 in 10 different fields. The list includes rising stars and experts in their fields from Chinese Olympic champion Eileen Gu and the #1 female golfer Ko Jin-young from South Korea to Singapore’s Ng Ming Wei, Southeast Asia’s most popular TikToker and Rashid Khan, founder of Indian AI company Yellow.AI. Well, in the entertainment category, HoYeon Jung of ‘Squid Game’ fame made it. She is also joined by aespa.

Forbes selected aespa as they are “one of the hottest girl groups in K-pop” despite only debuting in 2020. They were also acknowledged for their achievements in South Korea for winning at Golden Disc Awards and MAMA while also winning the Best Korean Act at the 2021 MTV EMAs and becoming the first K-pop brand ambassador for Givenchy. In the past, we have had the likes of GOT7’s Jackson, IU, Mamamoo’s Hwasa and Bae Suzy making the 30 Under 30 Asia 2021 list. Forbes has also honored BIGBANG’s G-Dragon, Super Junior’s Siwon, Girls’ Generation’s Yoona, CL and more. aespa is the fourth K-pop group to make it to the list following BTS, Blackpink and TWICE.

‘The power’

Excited fans made tweets like, “With less than 2 years of career, aespa has already made a name for itself in the industry.” Another fan commented, “They were just spreading misinformation of gigi and now forbes released the 30 under 30 list and aespa is included, aeskarma is that bitch.” One posted, “aespa got featured in Forbes 30 under 30. the impact, the power, the relevancy.” Another shared, “The way 4th gen started in 2018 but aespa were the ones selected as time’s next generation leaders and the first 4th gen group (and 4th overall) to make it to forbes’ 30 under 30. gave everyone a head start but they’re the ones leading their generation.”