Karina, Winter, Giselle and Ningning, of girl group aespa, are returning to North Texas for their show at American Airlines Center on Sept. 29.

SM Entertainment

Since their debut in 2020, aespa — made up of Giselle, Karina, Winter and Ningning — have established themselves as one of the biggest K-pop girl groups and gained a reputation for high-energy songs and an equally high-energy stage presence. On Sept. 29, the band is coming back to North Texas for their “SYNK : COMPLæXITY” tour, looking to bring that energy to one of the biggest stages in the region, the American Airlines Center.

The ongoing world tour supports their second studio album, “LEMONADE,” released in May, which they will bring to life. Fans can also expect fresh spins on some of their favorites like “Whiplash,” “Supernova” and “Drama.”

“The album follows a moment of chaos in aespa’s world that sets a whole new story in motion,” says Karina via an email interview with the entire band. “We thought carefully about everything — from the production and setlist to the choreography — so that story carries through naturally from the album to the live show.”

With “LEMONADE,” aespa explore themes such as defiance, self-protection and staying true to oneself. The tour has been reshaped by fan reactions, and each song has taken on a new meaning to the performers.

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“There’s this part in “LEMONADE” where I deliver the lines really quickly, and I was honestly surprised by how much people loved it,” adds Winter. “It was so fun seeing fans try it themselves and take part in the challenge. Watching everyone have so much fun with that part has made it feel even more special to me.”

No member shares the same favorite song, each looking forward to something different that serves their role in the group.

“’Switchblade’ has become even more special to me since the album came out,” says Ningning. “We filmed the music video with Ty Dolla $ign in Korea and later got to perform the song together at Lollapalooza Chicago, so I’ve made a lot of great memories with it since we first recorded it. All of those experiences have made me feel even more attached to the song.”

In recent years, aespa have cemented their position as a must-see live act with memorable performances at Coachella, the Tokyo Dome and in arenas across the world.

Performing for such diverse crowds has had a huge impact on aespa’s growth as artists, helping them develop a commanding stage presence and showmanship that further connect them with their global fans.

“One thing I’ve learned from touring is that a great show isn’t just about performing everything exactly the way you rehearsed it,” notes Winter. “It’s also about reacting to the crowd and connecting with them in the moment. I think I’ve become more comfortable with that over time, and on this tour I want to connect with the audience more freely and make every show feel special in its own way.”

The last time aespa visited North Texas in 2023, they performed at The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory, a significantly smaller venue than the American Airlines Center. But the band has been slowly working their way up in crowd size, learning as they go, and adapting their performance to much bigger audiences.

“Performing in a huge venue like Tokyo Dome taught me a lot about how to fill such a big space with our energy,” says Giselle. “I became more conscious of making my movements and expressions bigger and clearer, but more than anything, I felt a responsibility to make sure that our emotion and energy reached even the fans sitting far away. I want to build on those experiences and show how much we’ve all grown as performers.”

Having performed all over the world, aespa remarked that American crowds have a unique energy that gives them more creative freedom on stage.

“They’ll start singing along as soon as the song begins, and even our smallest gestures can get such a big reaction,” said Karina. “That naturally makes us loosen up and enjoy ourselves more freely onstage than usual. I think those kinds of reactions create a different kind of atmosphere that feels unique to our shows in the U.S.”

During their last tour, aespa was in and out of North Texas with little time for sightseeing. This time, they’re determined to try our staple brisket and give the best show possible.

“We didn’t get to explore Dallas much last time, but I still remember the beautiful scenery and the relaxed atmosphere,” adds Giselle. “This time, I’d love to try some local barbecue, take my time exploring, and experience more of what Dallas has to offer.”

Tickets for aespa’s Sept. 29 stop at the American Airlines Center (2500 Victory Ave.) start at $86.