Aespa Hit With Lip-Sync Accusations And Other Criticism At “Billboard” Event

On March 29, Billboard‘s Billboard Women In Music event honored women’s contributions to music over the last year. Throughout the event, awards were given, including the “Woman Of The Year” award, previously won by artists like Beyoncé.

| Billboard

K-Pop was represented at this year’s event, with aespa and BLACKPINK’s Jennie attending the show. The stars walked the red carpet, exciting fans with their visuals before the event started.

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

Along with their attendance and award for “Group Of The Year,” aespa also performed the newly released English version of their smash hit “Whiplash.”

aespa performs Whiplash (English Version) at Billboard's Women In Music.pic.twitter.com/4a5LyJ0w9F

— About Music (@AboutMusicYT) March 30, 2025

The performance quickly gained attention online, where it was met with mixed reactions.

Many netizens discussed the performance as a whole, criticizing both the song and aespa’s performance. In particular, many “called out” the group for lip-syncing, amongst other complaints.

Never understood hype for this song: lazy choreography, repetitive words, lack of energy … I’m not sure why today’s music sucks so much. https://t.co/Ay3ujfk3HU

— The Konnoisseur (@TheJXing) March 30, 2025

cheap club beat, boring choreo and lip sync. and this is "the best girl group in korea"? um. https://t.co/mapTeRWmxa

— Irene ☾ ll see hobi (@safetyzone2024) March 30, 2025

This is a mess, why do these girls always looks so bored when they perform. And the lip syncing needs to stop especially at big events like this https://t.co/6UPtuPi3dO

— Heya Heya Heya 🫦 (@WonysFavBaddie) March 30, 2025

On the other hand, many praised the group’s performance and their vocals.

aespa perform Whiplash english version for the first time at Billboard Women In Music!! Omg the live vocals??? pic.twitter.com/uUvV0itVuu

— Karina♡ (@ujiminphoria) March 30, 2025

live vocals indeed! u can hear their breaths during the dance break https://t.co/FKIoYmYBUe

— alejandro #FreePalestine🇵🇸 (@juannbenedicto) March 30, 2025

Seeing them perform live was one of my favourite experiences. Such a well deserved award. https://t.co/hlcUxGHmSf

— David Augustine (@davidauggie) March 30, 2025

However, even fans of the group had points of criticism for the performance, specifically the allegedly overly loud backtrack and poor camerawork.

I’m proud of my girls but they’re always being set up wether it’s by the camera, the choreo (breakdance)… they definitely sang live but backtrack was too loud on the official video while you be could hear them clearly on fancams… https://t.co/oUdUlvGyw4

— nini 💫 (@myinsynk) March 30, 2025

American show never let go the ‘bad camera work’ allegation. They never learn 🥲 how can they just missed all points of the performance? https://t.co/dCMsGmwwRp

— Calen (@redxvermouth) March 30, 2025

The camerawork is so damn annoying 😭😭
Its worse than korean award show camera https://t.co/l5QkSzaWJk

— nana (@mddaneee) March 30, 2025