"This is embarrassing to watch"- Aespa's GMA stage met with fan backlash for alleged lip-syncing and poor stage presence

On September 12, 2025, K-pop girl group aespa performed their new single Rich Man on Good Morning America, marking their third appearance on the popular U.S. morning show. Unlike their earlier stages, which were praised for strong performances, this one drew widespread criticism.

Clips shared online showed Karina, Giselle, Winter, and Ningning performing without backup dancers, leaving the stage looking bare in key moments. Netizens also claimed the choreography seemed off and accused the group of lip-syncing. The performance came just a week after aespa released their sixth EP, Rich Man, on September 5, 2025.

Despite the backlash, some defended the group, noting that live morning shows often allow little rehearsal time and can involve unpredictable technical conditions. Fans also compared the stripped-down stage to aespa’s large-scale concerts in Korea, where stronger production usually amplifies their performances.

Netizens took to social media to express their opinions on the latest performance. Some called it "embarrassing," with one X user, @bubbabunnykoo, writing:

"this is embarrassing to watch."

Others described the show as uncomfortable to watch and a disappointment.

Meanwhile, others pointed to poor camerawork and lighting as additional reasons the broadcast lacked impact.

More on aespa’s Rich Man, promotions, and activities

aespa's latest album quickly surpassed one million sales in its debut week, becoming the best-selling female K-pop album of the year. An English version of the title track was also released on the same day as the Good Morning America stage. It further boosted their presence in the U.S. market.

This was not the group’s first time on Good Morning America. The group previously performed Better Things in 2023, where the stage drew more favorable attention for its sharp choreography and camera work. Their latest appearance, by contrast, sparked debate over staging choices and presentation.

Outside of television, aespa is currently on their SYNK: aeXIS Line world tour. It kicked off in Seoul with three sold-out shows in August. The tour is set to continue through Japan, Bangkok, and Hong Kong into early 2026, further expanding their global reach.

The group has also kept up a busy schedule beyond touring. In July, they collaborated with PUBG: Battlegrounds on the track Dark Arts, and in August, they headlined KCON Los Angeles. These collaborations showed their versatility on international stages.

In addition, the quartet have maintained a strong profile through endorsements, variety show appearances, and their recognition at Billboard’s Women in Music Awards earlier this year, where they won Group of the Year.

About the author

Mantasha is a pop culture writer at Sportskeeda who covers K-pop and K-drama. She has recently completed her Masters in English and has a rich 3-year writing experience where she crafted engaging content for top companies such as Unacademy, Apollo Hospitals, Adani Airports, and the Economic Times. Her experience has helped her create a strong foundation that complements her passion for creating the best content related to K-pop, K-dramas and Korean movies.

Mantasha's interest in pop culture took root when her cousin introduced her to classic Hollywood and Bollywood tunes and the rest, as they say, is history. Mantasha’s connection with K-pop supergroup BTS is a special one as their song lyrics, hard work, and dedication resonate with her like no other group does.

Maintaining accuracy, relevance, and ethics in her reporting is extremely essential for Mantasha. She prioritizes thorough research, delving deep beyond just superficial sources, to ensure comprehensive and trustworthy information.

When not writing, Mantasha enjoys journaling and doodling, watching K-dramas and listening to songs.

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Edited by Shubham Soni