The wait is almost over for MYs around the world. aespa has officially announced their second full-length album, LEMONADE, scheduled for release on May 29 at 1 p.m. KST. The announcement arrived via an intro film released on April 20 at midnight KST, setting the stage for what promises to be another boundary-pushing chapter from the quartet.
This marks the group’s first full album in two years, following their critically acclaimed debut studio album Armageddon, which dropped in 2024. It also ends an eight-month hiatus since their sixth mini album Rich Man, released in 2025. Fans have been eagerly anticipating new music ever since member Karina teased the project during an acceptance speech at the 2025 MAMA Awards, hinting that a full album was coming in 2026.
The teaser visuals for aespa LEMONADE suggest a sharp departure from the group’s usual metallic, futuristic aesthetic. In the intro film, the album’s logo shatters midair like breaking glass, transforming into a bright, fluid substance that feels both austere and eerie. The imagery leans into a raw, boundary-pushing concept that contrasts with the hard-hitting hip-hop and hyperpop sounds of Armageddon and the catchy energy of Whiplash.
The aespa second full album arrives at a pivotal moment in the group’s career. Since debuting in 2020 with “Black Mamba,” the quartet, Karina, Giselle, Winter, and Ningning, has become a global phenomenon, known for their lore-driven concept involving virtual avatars called “æs” and their ability to seamlessly blend genres.
LEMONADE follows a busy 2025 for the group, which included the release of Rich Man and the special digital single album Synk: Aexis Line in November 2025. That project featured solo tracks from each member, including Ningning’s “Ketchup and Lemonade,” an R&B song that explored the delicate emotions of a breakup . The title of that solo track intriguingly shares a word with the new album, though no official connection has been confirmed.
Industry watchers are also speculating whether LEMONADE will include songs originally intended for a scrapped American full-length album that SM Entertainment reportedly had in development . If true, the album could feature more English-language tracks aimed at solidifying aespa’s foothold in the U.S. market following their successful tours and festival appearances.
The release time of 1 p.m. KST on a Friday follows the pattern set by Dirty Work and Rich Man, both of which dropped in the same Friday slot to align with global streaming charts . This strategy maximizes first-week tracking for Billboard and other international charts, signaling SM Entertainment’s continued ambition for aespa’s global dominance.
As May 29 approaches, fans can expect a rollout of concept photos, tracklist reveals, and music video teasers. Given aespa’s history of elaborate world-building, LEMONADE will likely expand the KWANGYA narrative while delivering the signature blend of futuristic pop, rap, and vocal prowess that has defined their sound.
For now, the message is clear: mark your calendars. aespa is back, and they are serving something tart, sweet, and utterly unpredictable.
