K-pop sensation aespa headlined the season four finale of “Amazon Music Live (AML)” on Thursday, November 13, 2025, solidifying their status as a global force.
The performance, which followed the popular Thursday Night Football game, was broadcast live from Los Angeles and streamed exclusively across Prime Video, Twitch, and the Amazon Music app to a worldwide audience.
A Milestone for K-Pop on a Global Stage
aespa’s appearance marks a significant achievement, following in the footsteps of TWICE, who delivered a record-breaking performance in Season 3 that saw a massive surge in unique viewers, proving the immense global appetite for K-pop content on Amazon’s platform.
AML, now in its fourth season, has hosted global music titans such as the Foo Fighters, Shaboozey, Fuerza Regida, Snoop Dogg, and Ed Sheeran, placing aespa among music’s most genre-defining acts.
The Full and Diverse Setlist
The group delivered a commanding and diverse performance, showcasing a total of ten songs that spanned their mega-hits and popular B-sides.
The comprehensive setlist was designed to captivate both dedicated MYs (their fandom) and new global viewers:
- Global Hits: The group performed their chart-topping title tracks, including “Next Level,” “Supernova,” and “Armageddon,” highlighting the powerful choreography and unique “æ” concept that defines their sound.
- Recent Releases: They also featured songs from their newer releases, such as “Whiplash,” “Dirty Work,” and “Better Things,” demonstrating their versatility across genres.
- Fan Favorites: The setlist was rounded out with fan-favorite B-sides, including “Angel #48,” “Hold On Tight,” “Drift,” and “Rich Man,” delivering a rich variety of charms to the audience.
Behind the Scenes and Global Promotion
The event served as more than just a concert; it was a multi-faceted global marketing effort:
- Exclusive Content: Actress and entertainer Liza Koshy returned as the official social host for AML Season 4, offering fans exclusive interviews and fun behind-the-scenes content with the group.
- Venue Experience: SM Entertainment and Amazon collaborated on the venue’s ambiance, which included official displays featuring the group’s themes, such as the ‘Dirty Work’ and ‘Rich Man’ collections. An F&B menu inspired by aespa’s signature colors and concepts was also offered on-site for a complete sensory experience.
- The Global Partnership: aespa is the first K-pop girl group to enter a significant collaboration with Amazon, beginning their partnership in January of the year the concert was held. They have collaborated on tour and album merchandise, reinforcing their growing international identity.
The Reception and Technical Challenges
The audience responded with enthusiasm to the performance, but some post-show discussions on online forums highlighted a few technical issues with the broadcast:
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- Positive Feedback: Fans praised the group’s stage presence, the excellent song choices, and the stylish outfits (noting Ningning’s high boots). The crowd in Los Angeles was reported to be loud and fully engaged.
- Technical Glitches: Some viewers noted that the broadcast version had an overly loud backtrack, making it difficult to clearly hear the live vocals, especially on certain tracks like “Dirty Work” and “Better Things.” The camera work was also criticized by some for poor angles and excessive cuts to the crowd, issues that have occasionally been cited in past K-pop performances on US platforms.
Despite minor technical critiques, aespa successfully delivered a dynamic, hit-filled performance that reinforces their position as one of K-pop’s leading global acts and cements the growing partnership between SM Entertainment and Amazon Music.
