My World (Aespa EP)

On February 16, 2023, Lee Sung-soo released a 30-minute video stating: "Lee Soo-man was the reason why Aespa's music has been delayed" and that the group was supposed to release new music on February 20. Moreover, he added that Soo-man wanted to start "injecting environmentalist motifs of tree-planting and sustainability into songs" which were eventually later scrapped as they "did not fit the world of Aespa" and made the group "upset".[2] On February 25 and 26, the group performed the then-unreleased songs: "Salty & Sweet", "Thirsty", "I'm Unhappy", "'Til We Meet Again" at their first concert, Synk: Hyper Line.[3] On March 16, SM Entertainment announced that Aespa would be releasing a record in early May.[4] During an interview for the March 2023 edition of Uproxx, member Giselle revealed that their upcoming music will be "a little different, while keeping [their] roots in the whole Aespa vibe" by "show[ing] a versatible version of [themselves]". She further elaborate that the songs would be "more sentimental with focus [mainly] on the music orientation, [in addition], to the performance".[5]

On April 17, it was announced that the group's third extended play titled My World, containing six tracks, would be released on May 8. It was also announced that "Welcome to My World" would be pre-released on May 2.[6] The EP would be available in four different versions with 11 different covers depending on the version, with pre-orders starting on the same day.[7] A day later, the intro teaser video was released.[8] On April 24, a "breaking news"-styled teaser video was released.[9] On the same day, the track listing of 6 tracks was released via their official website with "Spicy" announced as the lead single.[10][1] On April 26, it was revealed that Naevis, the AI character in Aespa's SMCU storyline, would be featured in "Welcome to My World" as a virtual artist.[11] On May 2, "Welcome to My World" was released alongside its music video.[12] The track video for "I'm Unhappy", "Salty & Sweet", and "Thirsty" was released, respectively, from May 2 to 4.[13][14][15] On May 6, the music video teaser for lead single "Spicy" was released.[16] The EP was released alongside the music video for "Spicy" on May 8.[17]

Regarding the creative process and style for the songs, SM Entertainment revealed that My World "will continue to tell the group's sci-fi narrative" with the members "now traveling to the real world from Kwangya".[19] Aespa used the "kitsch" and "urban" styles in their teasers and clothing during promotion of My World, departing from the dark, futuristic "cyberpunk" style and aesthetic of the previous albums Savage and Girls.[20] In an article for Paper, Peyton Gatewood noted that the group "ditches the metaverse" and expands their story "beyond the pixelated, alien plain of previous albums into a more naturalistic terrain" with the group's Twitter account, stating that "Aespa is in the Real World!".[21]

During the live event "Aespa 'My World' Countdown Live", Karina stated that "there is no villain in our real world". However, after Aespa invites Naevis to their real world in the track "Welcome to My World", "an anomaly' continues to occur there". She also revealed that "maybe [the group] will start another battle or go to another world" in their future release.[22]

My World consists of six tracks. The first track and pre-release single "Welcome to My World", which features Naevis from Aespa's SMCU storyline, was described as a "dreamy" and "majestic" pop and alternative pop song characterized by "guitar riff and orchestra" with lyrics about "inviting Naevis [and the listener] to the music world of Aespa".[23][24][21] The second track and lead single "Spicy" was described as a dance and pop song characterized by "intense synth-bass sound [and] dynamic beat rhythm".[25][26] The third track "Salty & Sweet" was described as a dance song centered around "rough" industrial synth grinds and bass rhythm.[25][27]

The fourth track "Thirsty" was described as a R&B song with a "bubbly beat and vocal harmonies" that lyrically "expresses thirsty feelings" and compares a "heart that deepens endlessly towards the other person, to a wave".[28] In the fifth song "I'm Unhappy", the group uses the digital world as a metaphor for "feeling disconnected from those around them" and longing for "the real thing instead of social media's fake facades".[25] The pop track features a "minimal" melody with "stripped-back plinky piano and rattling drums".[28][18][25] The sixth and final track "'Til We Meet Again" was described as a "gentle" ballad song characterized by "string performance" and "acoustic guitar" with lyrics about "the love of Aespa members towards their fans, who are always connected through music".[29][25]

Prior to the EP's release, on May 8, 2023, Aespa held a live event called "Aespa 'My World' Countdown Live" on YouTube, TikTok, and IdolPlus to introduce the album and communicate with their fans.[29]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Dork	[28]
NME	[25]

Rhian Daly of NME stated "My World might water down the layers of SM Culture Universe (SMCU) in its songs, but it doesn't dilute the sound that Aespa have become known for" elaborating that "[Naevis] which has been heavily referenced in their previous tracks feels much more subtle and is easily missed however she is there if [the listener] are attentive". Overall, she stated "My World proves Aespa could dominate other cosmoses otherwise SMCU".[25]

On April 24, 2023, it was reported that My World has sold over 1.5 million copies in pre-orders sales in less than a week.[30]