aespa has made headlines once again, this time for breaking records on the Global Spotify Chart with their latest single, Dirty Work. The track, released on June 27, debuted at No. 63 with 1,836,980 streams—an impressive accomplishment that reflects their global fan base and growing digital presence. Just a day after its release, Dirty Work not only secured a spot on the chart but also made history by delivering the biggest debut by a K-pop group on Spotify Counter in 2025. With 2,396,906 total streams recorded across all versions, aespa surpassed ENHYPEN’s previous record of 2,206,770 streams for Bad Desire (With or Without You).
The song, characterized by its infectious rhythm and signature aespa charisma, quickly earned praise from fans around the world. Social media platforms were abuzz with celebratory posts, congratulating the group for their artistic consistency and digital dominance. However, the celebration didn’t last long before criticism surfaced. A segment of online users raised concerns about the legitimacy of aespa’s streaming numbers, suggesting that their record-breaking success may not have been entirely organic.
The controversy began when fans analyzed the geographical breakdown of streams. Out of the 1.83 million streams that propelled Dirty Work onto the Global Spotify Chart, 625,837 originated from Thailand—accounting for 35% of the total. This disproportionate figure sparked suspicion and led to unfounded accusations of artificial streaming, with some critics labeling Thai fans as “bots” and alleging manipulation to inflate numbers.
In addition, aespa’s decision to release three extra versions of Dirty Work drew scrutiny. Critics argued that this approach was a deliberate attempt to boost streams and likened it to a form of payola—a term often used to describe the unethical practice of using monetary or strategic incentives to influence chart rankings. Some saw the tactic as undermining the authenticity of aespa’s achievements, suggesting that the group was more focused on numbers than artistic integrity.
Despite these allegations, many fans came to aespa’s defense with a clear and assertive counter-narrative. They highlighted that Spotify regularly conducts bot purges, and in the past year alone, several K-pop acts—particularly under HYBE, including BTS—have been penalized during these clean-up operations. The fact that aespa’s streams have remained intact, they argued, is a testament to their legitimacy. Fans emphasized that all streaming methods used were within Spotify’s guidelines and attributed the high Thai streaming numbers to the group’s popularity in the region, not manipulation.
Supporters also pointed out the lack of proper promotional backing from SM Entertainment. Despite the limited marketing push and ongoing backlash tied to the group’s perceived political stance, Karina, Winter, Giselle, and Ningning delivered a strong comeback. Fans praised the quartet’s performance and commitment, insisting that the group’s success should not be overshadowed by baseless accusations.
As Dirty Work continues to perform well and gain traction, the debate around streaming ethics in K-pop persists. For now, aespa’s record-breaking feat stands tall, marking another milestone in the group’s journey while igniting broader conversations about digital culture, fan behavior, and fairness in the global music industry.
