aespa Make Immediate Change To “Rich Man” Performance Following Extreme Backlash

aespa are set to appear on another U.S. talk show and this time fans noticed some key differences in how the group approached their stage.

| SM Entertainment

The adjustment comes after the group’s highly debated Good Morning America performance, which drew sharp criticism online.

| SM Entertainment

The SM Entertainment group reportedly prerecorded a stage for The Jennifer Hudson Show, with lucky fans in the audience sharing details of what they saw. According to their accounts, the group once again performed “Rich Man,” but this time with clear changes made to the setup.

| @aespa_official/X (formerly known as Twitter)

Unlike the GMA stage, aespa incorporated backup dancers, which many believe added energy and depth to the performance. Fans also claim the members opted to sing live, which immediately stood out given the backlash they faced for alleged lip syncing during their earlier U.S. appearance.

aespa at jennifer hudson :

• they performed rich man live with backup dancers
• they did it in one take
• the opening line said that aespa is a global force
• the episode will air next Wednesday on 9/24
• they did an interview segment with who’s most likely to questions… pic.twitter.com/7P185p03Hc

— jen ❆ (@wintersrabbit) September 15, 2025

Both decisions appear directly connected to the controversy that followed their GMA debut, where aespa were criticized on multiple fronts. Some felt the stage looked empty without dancers and the members’ dancing was lacking, while others accused the group of not singing live at all.

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These points quickly went viral, sparking widespread debate among international K-Pop fans and Korean netizens alike.

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With the new performance set to air, anticipation is high to see if these changes will turn public opinion around. Alongside the stage, the group also filmed an interview segment for the show, leaving fans eager to watch.

Whether or not these adjustments will win over critics remains to be seen, but many fans are already expressing relief that aespa appear to be taking the backlash seriously.