Aespa Makes History With First-Ever Governors Ball Performance: Best Moments

2023 is shaping up to be a busy year for the girls of aespa.

Following the May release of the K-pop group’s third mini album, My World, the quartet — consisting of Karina, Giselle, Ningning and Winter — announced its first ever global tour, which will see them making stops across the United States, Latin America and Europe later this year. To warm up for the trek, the girl group hit the main stage at the Governors Ball Music Festival at New York City’s Flushing Meadows Corona Park on Saturday (June 10) and delivered their biggest hits, despite being short one member.

Prior to aespa’s Gov Ball performance — a history-making feat as they are the first K-pop act to ever grace the festival — the group’s management company SM entertainment shared a statement with MYs (the group’s fan name) regarding Giselle’s lack of attendance at the festival.

“We are sorry to inform aespa’s US fans that Giselle will not be able to join the group for their upcoming Governors Ball performance due to health issues,” the statement read.

Soldiering on, Karina, Ningning and Winter commanded the stage with their inimitable presence, opening up their set with several nods to the group’s extensive and intriguing lore. Naevis, the AI system that helps the girls’ digital avatars appear in the real world, leads the intro before the trio kicks things off with an energetic performance of “Girls” complete with fiery pyrotechnics to pump up the crowd.

Read on to learn about the best moments from aespa’s Governors Ball debut performance below.