aespa Unveils Japan’s First Mini Album ‘KISS N TELL’ in a Surprise Release, Shedding ‘Metal Taste’ for Refreshing Pop Energy

The rookie group aespa (æspa) released the full track audio and a music video (MV) for the title song of its first Japan mini album, ‘KISS N TELL,’ at midnight on the 24th.

Title track ‘KISS N TELL’ embraces a refreshing, quirky pop sensibility instead of ‘Metal Taste’ The title track ‘KISS N TELL,’ sharing the album’s name, is a house-based dance pop genre marked by a lively piano sound and a danceable beat. It expresses a bond that grows deeper as they share each other’s worries, conveyed through a bouncy pop-art feel. The music video, released alongside the audio on YouTube channels and more, features an amusement park as the backdrop, capturing aespa’s signature cute and upbeat charm along with refreshing visual style. With easy, fun point choreography performed alongside a large troupe of dancers, the song’s energy is further amplified, drawing intense attention from global fans.

A vibrant 6-track lineup spanning genres from animation to drama OSTs The album includes a total of six songs, including the title track, showcasing aespa’s wide-ranging musical appeal. It features tracks across diverse genres, including ‘ATTITUDE,’ the opening theme for the TV anime 〈Kill Blue〉 , and ‘In Halo,’ a drama 〈The First Kiss Never Lies〉 OST. It also includes ‘Orbit Pop,’ which carries a message about carving out one’s own path, ‘Fangirl,’ which puts the group’s distinctive confidence across with wit, and the Y2K-inspired R&B track ‘Done with Rules,’ rounding out the listening fun.

After kicking off their Japan activities in earnest, aespa is set to take on the U.S. ‘Lollapalooza Chicago’ With the release of its first Japan mini album, aespa has begun ramping up its local activities, continuing its global push beyond Asia and onto North America stages. The four members—Karina, Winter, Giselle, and Ningning—will take the stage at the major music festival ‘2026 Lollapalooza Chicago’ at Chicago’s Grant Park on August 2, where they will meet global fans directly and deliver an overwhelming performance.