aespa: When the “digital world” reaches the 8Wonder Winter stage

There is a generation of artists who not only “live their lives” on stage but also fully present in the digital universe, where they are both themselves and their avatars, becoming symbols for creative fandom waves. That is aespa – the 4th Gen K-pop group that once made waves globally with the statement: “We are the intersection between real and virtual”. This December, for the first time in Vietnam, audiences will witness firsthand how aespa brought the metaverse world to the stage of the 8Wonder Winter concert – a rare experience for Vietnamese audiences.

A new era – real idols, “æ” avatars, digital fandoms

If you’ve ever heard of “doubles” in K-pop, aespa is the most prominent representative: each member Karina, Winter, Giselle, NingNing has a parallel “avatar æ” – a digital version that both reflects and complements the original’s personality. Karina is strong, æ-Karina is cold and fierce; NingNing is seductive on stage, æ-NingNing is a surreal version with unlimited color and shape changes.

However, “æ” is not only SM Entertainment’s technology game but also a material for aespa to tell new stories, where the fandom not only streams music, but also travels with their idols into KWANGYA (digital universe), explores lore, deciphers details, participates in online events, AR filters and Beyond LIVE concerts - the world’s first AR/VR concert series.

aespa inspires Generation Z about digital identity: every young person can create a unique digital version of themselves: different, free to break all stereotypes. In that metaverse, everyone is the “main character” in their own story.

Vietnamese audiences first step into the metaverse journey live

aespa’s global success comes not only from catchy music but also from their limitless creativity in digital connection. Each time they come back, aespa brings “digital interaction” campaigns such as MV Black Mamba, Next Level, Savage, Supernova…, where fans can explore multi-layered storylines, decode Easter Eggs, experience AR filters, participate in hashtag campaigns, react, cosplay right on social media platforms.

MY Fandom not only spreads on TikTok, YouTube, X, Discord but also creates online events, video edits, memes, AR covers, "face-matching with idol" filters... turning each fandom activity into a real digital playground.

With aespa, fans are no longer passive viewers. Everyone can be a “screenwriter” or “creator” contributing to the aespa universe with their own creativity. While full VR/metaverse events are still in the near future, there is no denying that aespa is one of the first groups to turn their fandom into a “multi-layered digital world” where audiences can embody, interact, and create content with their idols.

8Wonder Winter – the first time the “digital world” takes to the stage of a Vietnamese music festival

aespa's appearance at 8Wonder Winter 2025 has created a wave of excitement not only among the MY community but also among Vietnamese youth who love technology and new experiences. This is not simply a concert, but for the first time, Vietnamese audiences have directly experienced the metaverse atmosphere, AR/VR, digital visuals with top K-pop idols right in the middle of Hanoi.

If in the past, the AR/VR and metaverse experiences with idols were limited to the virtual world or screen, then 8Wonder Winter will be the “gateway” for Vietnamese fans to witness how aespa turns technology into a vivid part of the reality show. The moments when idols and avatars appear together on the big screen, multi-sensory interactions with visual effects, AR filters, “real-time” social experiences – all will create a music night not only to listen to, but also to see, to integrate, to “remix emotions” with idols.

When K-pop, technology, and community come together

aespa represents a generation that dares to think differently, live differently, and always try new things. The group turns each comeback into a “creative campaign”, each MV into a digital adventure, and each fandom event into a borderless creative space.

Choosing aespa, 8Wonder Winter - an event organized by Vingroup Corporation not only brings international youth music icons but also creates a boost in digital experiences, raising the standard of music enjoyment to a new level. This is the first show where young Vietnamese people can experience top music, AR/VR technology, digital fandom culture and modern K-pop spirit at the same time, where every emotion is remixed, every memory can "be the next level".

And so, this December in Hanoi, when aespa and international artists gather at 8Wonder Winter, not only MY fans but also anyone who loves new experiences, is passionate about technology and wants to see with their own eyes the intersection between the real and virtual worlds will want to "level up" with this great music festival.

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/aespa-khi-the-gioi-so-cham-toi-san-khau-8wonder-winter-a193259.html