On May 16, the sensational K-Pop group aespa graced the stage at the Hongdae University Festival, an event fans were eagerly anticipating!

Known for their explosive performances, the pressure was on. But when the girls took to the stage to perform their hit track "Spicy," things didn’t quite go according to plan.

As the performance unfolded, it went viral—but for all the wrong reasons. A clip showcasing a particularly challenging part of their set circulated online, drawing harsh criticism from audiences who accused the group of being off-key.

While many fans jumped to aespa's defense, citing possible technical difficulties, it didn't quell the storm of backlash. Observers pointed out moments when Winter and Giselle appeared to communicate with the crew, indicating issues with their microphones.

After the show, Winter took to the fan messaging app Bubble to express her heartfelt apologies. "I’m doomed," she lamented. "I messed up the live broadcast. I’m sorry, Hongdae."

Karina joined in on the outpouring of emotions, admitting how upset she felt. "I’m so, so, so, so upset," she exclaimed. "Thank goodness the rain stopped!"

Reflecting on the ordeal, Karina shed light on the struggles behind the scenes. She noted that without the crowd's supportive cheers and her groupmates by her side, she might have been overwhelmed. "I was reminded just how precious the audience is... and how important my members are, too," she added.

As the dust settles, it remains to be seen if fans will warm up to aespa’s performance following their sincere apologies. Will this dynamic K-Pop group bounce back from the criticism? Only time will tell!