aespa Fails To Enter “Billboard Hot 100” Despite Initial Projection, Triggering Scathing Reactions 

Earlier last week, aespa was projected to make their long-awaited debut on the prestigious “Billboard Hot 100” chart with their latest single, “Dirty Work.” However, when the official rankings were released, the group was notably absent, leading to a massive backlash and heated debate among international fans.

| SM Entertainment

For MYs, aespa’s dedicated fanbase, the disappointment has largely turned into frustration with SM Entertainment. Many fans have criticized the company for what they view as a lack of proper promotion for the song, arguing that more could have been done to push the track across the finish line. Others have said the company should opt for another sound to target the US market.

aespa’s “Dirty Work” is predicted to debut at #99 on the Billboard Hot 100.
It would mark the group’s career-first Hot 100 entry. pic.twitter.com/esasm4wrZA

— Talk of the Charts (@talkofthecharts) July 6, 2025

aespa must be so happy that they chose to fought for Dirty Work 🥹 they are charting well locally and internationally even with little to no promotion from their company

pic.twitter.com/uRg486dpJz

— Jazz (@mjkmwntr) July 7, 2025

Tbh, one silver lining of dirty work not entering the Hot 100 is that SM won’t get the wrong idea and think this particular sound is what american MYs want to hear from aespa

— blue (@xenogirls) July 7, 2025

The chart entry would have marked a historic milestone not only for aespa but for SM Entertainment as well, which has yet to secure a Hot 100 placement for one of its groups.

The Only “Big Four” K-Pop Entertainment Company That Has Never Made It On The Billboard “Hot 100” Chart

On the other hand, international K-Pop fans have turned the criticism toward aespa and their fandom. Some questioned how the group failed to chart despite releasing several remixes, including one featuring well-known American rapper Flo Milli, as well as an official English version of the song.

aespa is trying to climb the Billboard Hot 100 by purchasing over 100 playlists and securing a reach of 20 million. pic.twitter.com/GiCmtcQ4g5

— Aespann_jeans (@a1071364) June 27, 2025

Despite Western Collab, English song and 34455 version, Aespa yet again fails to chart on Billboard Hot 100. pic.twitter.com/1Xi8DYgLdB

— Flop Kpop (@TheFlopKpop) July 8, 2025

Others pointed out that album prices were significantly lowered during the tracking week in an apparent attempt to boost sales.

aespa’s‘Dirty Work’ officially did not debut on BILLBOARD hot 100 even lowering album prices and they couldn’t even debut on their OWN Bubbling Under Hot 100 from so much failure

Reminder: 6 versions with one more feat of a flopped American.

Aespa’s career died 👀 https://t.co/KVO2bhF5SI pic.twitter.com/ZPyPwT8scR

— guel (@airaoty) July 7, 2025

Adding to the controversy, allegations surfaced online suggesting that some Chinese fans may have spoofed their location to appear as if they were in the U.S., aiming to make their streams and purchases count toward the Hot 100. Such claims have only added further fuel to the already scathing reactions going viral online.

aespa’s Chinese fans are using VPN to spoof their location as the US and bulk-buy digital copies of “Dirty Work” to push the group onto the Billboard Hot 100.

We kindly ask @billboard to investigate their digital sales and prevent this kind of manipulation. pic.twitter.com/tt0DInFEqz

— sam (@tayrrorismo) July 3, 2025

As aespa’s Hot 100 miss continues to spark heated debates online, it remains to be seen whether the mega-popular girl group — or any other SM Entertaianment act — will manage to earn an entry in the prestigious chart in the future.