Hotter Than the Dome Itself… aespa’s ‘Overwhelming Iron Taste’ That Melted Even Gocheok Dome [Review]
First-Ever Performance at Gocheok Dome… 35,000 Fans Go Wild
'Performance-Oriented aespa' Proves Their Worth with a 27-Song Live Set
From a parade of hit songs to solo and unit performances, the lineup is diverse
Kicking Off a World Tour Visiting 25 Regions After Stopping in Seoul
[Edaily Starin YUN GI BACK Reporter] Even the “Heat Dome” that had been sweeping the globe took a back seat to Gocheok Dome on this day. From “Lemonade” to “Whiplash,” “Black Mamba,” “Armageddon,” “Drama,” and “Supernova”—every time aespa performed one of their hit songs, the temperature inside the venue soared sharply. Although it was their first time performing at Gocheok Sky Dome, the atmosphere felt less like a “debut” and more like a “departure for battle.” aespa held their “2026-27 aespa Live Tour – SYNCH: COMPLEXITY” at Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro-gu, Seoul, on the 7th and 8th, meeting 35,000 fans over the two days. Making their first appearance at Gocheok Sky Dome since their debut, the group performed 27 songs over approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, marking the start of their fourth world tour. aespa (Photo: SM Entertainment) ◇The crowd went wild just for their hit songs… From “Sewo” to their vocal prowess The Gocheok Dome shook from the very first song, “Lemonade.” Whenever aespa led the chorus, the fans picked up the lyrics in unison. Voices spreading from the first floor to the very top of the dome merged into a massive chorus during the refrains, and cheers erupted every time the beat kicked in. Even though they had only just begun the first song, the Gocheok Dome already felt as though it had reached the climax of the performance. The following track, “Switchblade,” ramped up the energy with its heavy beat, and “Whiplash” featured a heart-pounding sound perfectly synchronized with a precise, rhythmic performance. Giselle’s highlight part was met with thunderous cheers. During “Black Mamba,” aespa’s signature intensity reached its peak. Amid the flawless synchronized dance routines, Winter’s resonant vocals split the dome, and the energy carried through to “WDA,” driving home their signature heavy, “metal-like” sound. aespa (Photo: SM Entertainment) But they didn’t fill the entire 2 hours and 30 minutes with intensity alone. During “Come On Me,” the mood shifted as Karina played the piano, Winter sat atop it, and Giselle and Ningning appeared holding handheld microphones. In the following song, “Thirsty,” the vocal harmonies of the four members stood out. It was clear they had the confidence to fill the stage even with a pared-down performance. The latter half of the concert relied on the power of their hit songs. “Armageddon” took on a rougher edge with a rock version featuring a live band, and “Drama” also gained explosive energy through a rock band arrangement. As they moved from “Next Level” to “Supernova,” the audience’s sing-along once again filled Gocheok Dome. From their debut song “Black Mamba” to “Next Level,” “Drama,” “Armageddon,” “Whiplash,” and “Supernova”—the fact that they’ve amassed enough hits to fill the climax of a concert lasting over two hours with nothing but their signature tracks truly brought home the extent of aespa’s growth. aespa’s Karina (Photo: SM Entertainment)aespa’s Giselle (Photo: SM Entertainment)aespa’s Winter (Photo: SM Entertainment)aespa’s Ningning (Photo: SM Entertainment)
◇Apart Yet Together… Their Distinctive Colors Shone Brighter as the Four Split Up
The solo and unit performances were a chance to witness the individuality of the four artists behind the name aespa. Giselle and Ningning created a dreamy and refreshing R&B vibe with “Lollipop,” a track they co-wrote and composed themselves. Karina showcased her powerful vocals and groove in “16-Bit.” Her performance, which involved exchanging the microphone with the dancers, revealed a newfound confidence and command of the stage. Winter delivered a surprise twist with “Saddle Up.” Instead of her familiar, crisp high notes, she showcased a sultry, groovy vocal tone, simultaneously pulling off dynamic group choreography and explosive vocals to demonstrate her potential as a solo diva. Giselle’s “BYEB4HELLO” was both kitschy and hip. She led the stage from a standing microphone before turning the mood on its head with an intense dance break in the latter half. aespa (Photo: SM Entertainment) In “I Love You But I Gotta Let You Go,” Ningning set aside her flashy performance style to focus on her voice. The combination of a majestic orchestra and dreamy vocals filled Gocheok Dome to the brim. Karina and Winter’s “Serenade” once again pounded hard at the heart of Gocheok Dome. Their powerful vocals clashed over a heavy EDM beat, creating an energy that seemed capable of shattering the venue. When they came together as a group, they created a single, intense color; when they split up, the four members’ individualities became even more distinct. This is why their solo and unit performances were more than just concert events. aespa (Photo: SM Entertainment) ◇At Ease at Gocheok Dome… Bridging the Gap with 35,000 Fans Although it was their first time at Gocheok Dome, aespa wasn’t overwhelmed by the scale. On the contrary, they seemed to know exactly how to make the most of the large space. During “Angel #48” and “Camouflage,” they rode a moving car shaped like a lemonade can and weaved through the audience. They also actively utilized the protruding stage, which snaked back and forth like a snake. During the encore, they climbed back onto the pink moving car, slowly circled the audience, made eye contact with fans, and waved nonstop. They bridged the physical distance of the massive dome through stage production and fan engagement. The band’s ease, honed through numerous global tours, was evident in the way they addressed the audience, switching seamlessly between Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese. The sound also amplified the scale of the performance. The live band delivered rougher variations of familiar hits, while the orchestra added depth to the vocal-centric stage. By alternating between the performance, the band, and the orchestra to create distinct textures across 27 songs, the show maintained a dynamic flow despite its long runtime. During the encore, they performed songs like “Yebbi Yebbi” and “My Plan,” once again drawing closer to the audience. Every time they spotted fans, they made eye contact and struck poses—a gesture that conveyed a sense of ease, showing that aespa was enjoying the space itself rather than being overwhelmed by the “large venue.” aespa (Photo: SM Entertainment) The first performance at Gocheok Dome held special significance for the aespa members. Winter expressed her overwhelming emotions, saying, “I never imagined we’d be able to fill this place—I’m so grateful.” Giselle said, “It’s all thanks to you,” and Ningning added, “Since the tour is just beginning, I’m looking forward to meeting fans all over the world.” Karina said, “I hope these two days of performances become cherished memories for you as well,” and promised, “Thank you for choosing aespa. We’ll become an even more amazing aespa from now on.” Although the Seoul concerts have ended, the tour is just beginning. aespa will expand their stage to 25 locations worldwide, including Taipei, São Paulo, Washington, D.C., London, and Barcelona. Having set the Gocheok Dome ablaze for the first time, aespa’s next destination is now the world.
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