aespa Wins Group of the Year at Billboard Women in Music 2025, Closes Show With ‘Whiplash’

Presenter Suki Waterhouse praises the K-pop group's creativity, innovation & chart domination.

Mar 31, 2025 - 23:44

aespa Wins Group of the Year at Billboard Women in Music 2025, Closes Show With ‘Whiplash’

Following aespa‘s biggest year yet — in which they became the first K-pop girl group to have six projects reach the Billboard 200 top 50 and won song of the year at the MAMA Awards for their single “Supernova” — the quartet accepted Group of the Year honor at the 2025 Billboard Women in Music 2025 event Saturday night.

The K-pop group — composed of Winter, Karina, Ningning and Giselle — took the stage at YouTube Theater in Inglewood, California, while a roaring crowd raised their lightsticks and banners emblazoned with the members’ names. But the girls kept it humble: “We want to cheer on all women who are chasing their dreams, and we hope everyone gets the chance to reach their full potential,” Giselle said in their acceptance speech. “Music really does connect all of us, and we’re so grateful to be a part of this journey.”

“We can’t forget our MYs,” she continued, turning the attention to their fans. “I hope you guys know this award is yours and your love and support really do push us to dream bigger.” Despite the heights aespa reached in 2024, Karina teased even greater things ahead, with Winter adding, “We’ve shared so many unforgettable moments together, but I truly believe this is just the beginning. We’re just getting warmed up.”

Ningning also made sure to give all the other powerhouse women present at the event their much-deserved flowers. “We’re so happy to be here with such amazing female artists,” she said. Giselle hopped back on the mic, adding, “It’s crazy, the room that we’re in right now full of every one of you. It really is such an honor.”

Later in the night, the K-pop supernovas closed the show with a flashy performance of “Whiplash (English Version)” — showstopping dance break and all — proving once again why they’re a global force to be reckoned with.

Video of aespa’s speech and performance will be live here at 7 p.m. ET on Monday night (March 31).