[REVIEW] aespa stuns Seoul beyond visuals in encore show of 'SYNK: PARALLEL LINE' tour

By Pyo Kyung-min

If one were to ask anyone with even the slightest amount of K-pop knowledge who the hottest girl group on the scene is right now, the answer is unanimous — aespa.

With an unprecedented streak of three megahits last year — “Supernova,” “Armageddon” and “Whiplash” — aespa has shattered the mold of conventional girl group concepts, establishing themselves as true divas of the K-pop industry.

And last weekend, the quartet — Karina, Giselle, Ningning and Winter — finally gave Korean fans another taste of triumph with an encore performance of their second world tour, "SYNK: PARALLEL LINE."

Kicking off in June 2024 in Seoul, the tour took aespa to 28 cities around the world in a total of 41 shows. From Asia’s biggest hubs like Tokyo, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taipei, Jakarta and Macau to global hot spots including Sydney, Los Angeles and Paris, aespa’s journey culminated in a final, two-day spectacle at the KSPO Dome in Songpa District, Seoul.

For Sunday's grand finale, SM Entertainment's unwavering support for its flagship girl group was more than evident, with a lavish and meticulously crafted stage set greeting concertgoers the moment they stepped into the dome.

The true standout was the colossal screen — likely the largest ever seen in a concert dome — which later acted as a magnifying glass, allowing the audience to fully appreciate aespa's showstopping visuals.

As the lights dimmed to signal the night's kickoff, the girls emerged in sparkling black outfits adorned with golden highlights, their surreal presence leaving the crowd of tens of thousands in pure awe.

Wasting no time, the quartet launched into an explosive performance of “Drama,” complete with indoor fireworks and blood-red lighting. Shattering the typical fairytale fantasy of girl group performances, aespa set the tone for a night of adrenaline.

The high-energy intro sequence continued without pause, seamlessly blending tracks like their debut track “Black Mamba,” “Salty & Sweet” and “aenergy,” keeping the audience starstruck.

Switching gears, the group returned in ethereal white ensembles to deliver a more emotive set, including “Mine,” “Die Trying,” “Flowers,” “Lucid Dream,” “Flights, Not Feelings” and “Better Things.”

The solo stages further showcased each member’s individuality: Giselle’s provocative “Dopamine,” Karina’s hip-hop-infused “UP,” Ningning’s soulful “Bored!” and Winter’s electrifying “Spark” brought fans to their feet.

The energy already sizzling, aespa’s momentum only intensified. The group powered through signature hits like “Supernova,” the laid-back “Pink Hoodie,” the Tetris-inspired “Hold On Tight” and the rock-infused “Live My Life.”

The self-love anthem “YEPPI YEPPI” and the Pokémon anime theme “We Go” added playful energy as the members ventured into the crowd, creating unforgettable fan interactions.

The grand finale was pure K-pop perfection. With stunning laser effects, flamethrowers and indoor fireworks, aespa delivered jaw-dropping performances of “Whiplash,” “Set the Tone,” “Next Level” and “Armageddon.” It was a moment that only aespa could create — a fusion of futuristic charisma and limitless creativity.

As the night drew to a close, the girls returned for an emotional encore, performing “Just Another Girl” and “Melody” in casual outfits. Karina, rocking her viral light bob hairstyle, thanked fans for creating precious memories and teased future activities.

“We’ll meet again soon. Please do wait a little longer,” she said with a smile.

Ningning echoed her gratitude, saying, "It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other’s faces, and I missed you all." She also gave a shoutout to the hardworking staff who pulled off the tour.

The audience wasn't just filled with fans — celebrity guests like comedian Yoo Jae-suk, G-Dragon, Younha, ITZY’s Ryujin, TWICE’s Jihyo and actors Lee Dong-hwi and Kim Ji-won added star power to the night. G-Dragon even made a surprise appearance during the final “Whiplash” dance segment, shyly showing off his moves to the crowd's delight.