When aespa dropped their otherworldly, video game-inspired photo teasers for their latest comeback, it was clear they were gearing up for a major evolution.

On Friday, the rookie K-pop group finally cracked open their concept in a 10-minute video epic detailing their origin story. The Cliffnotes version is that the four members?Karina, Giselle, Winter, and NingNing?live in a world alongside their æ-aespa, digital versions of themselves created from the personal data they’ve uploaded to a virtual plane. The æ live in a virtual realm called the FLAT, and an AI called NÆVIS opens a P.O.S. (Port of Soul) to allow aespa and their æs to “SYNK,” or hang out together in the real world. But there’s trouble afoot… a Black Mamba (also the name of the group’s smash debut single) is disturbing this connection. Their new single, “Next Level,” is a re-imagined take on a track from 2019’s Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw ; in the song’s music video, aespa travels to a lawless virtual realm called “KWANGYA” to fight the Black Mamba and reunite with their æs.

If it all sounds a bit complicated, that’s because it is. At a live streamed press conference hosted by Leeteuk of iconic SM Entertainment group Super Junior, Karina explained, “Before we debuted, we spent a long time learning about the concept so we have a very good understanding of the concept now.” Winter was thrilled by the complexity, “We have our own unique worldview. This is something that’s never been told anywhere before [and] gives us our own unique color and style, so we were all very pleased and excited for our future.” “It has a similar vibe to Marvel movies!” Leeteuk added brightly.

Karina said shooting the short film was her most memorable experience since debut. “It was my first time filming under water,” she said of the scene where she and her æ meet, “so I was a bit scared and excited at the same time. When I saw the final clip, I was really proud of myself.”

The group said SM’s founder Lee Soo Man had a heavy hand in bringing “Next Level” to life. “[Our] performance video was also directed by Producer Lee, from choreography, composition, and stage movement to camera work, as well as outfits and gestures. He gave very detailed directions for each.”

“I can just imagine [his] reaction to aespa's new single,” Leeteuk said, speaking from more than 15 years of experience working together. He started imitating Lee, “I watched the music video and it was really good!” “Let’s make the listeners have fun!” “It’s perfect!” The imitation must be accurate because aespa was in stitches. Earlier, he made them laugh with another off script moment: “NingNing,” he said, turning to the youngest, “you dyed your hair bright red! Doesn't the color fade very quickly?” She smiled and admitted, “I share a room with Winter and every time I wash my hair, it's red all over the bathroom floor.”

When aespa debuted with “Black Mamba,” the music video set a record as the fastest K-pop debut music video to surpass 100 million views. Do they have their eye on breaking any other records? “We were grateful to receive so much love from our debut song, ‘Black Mamba,” said Giselle, “Since we’re still rookies, our goal is to continue to show our growth rather than set specific records or results.” Leeteuk gasped, “So humble! If they asked me I would say, I want to break [this many] views.”

“We read an article that described us as ‘Monster Rookie’ and ‘Global Super Rookie’” said Giselle, “and we were all very honored and thankful to be called that. Perhaps after we gain more experience, we can be called ‘KWANGYA Super Star,’” she suggested shyly as Winter sneaked an enthusiastic thumbs up into the corner of the screen. Leeteuk could be heard laughing into his mic, and he teased her a bit: “So unique! KWANGYA Super Star!” Winter covered her face from laughing so hard. “SM’s future!” Leeteuk finished.

They ended the press conference with a note about their album, which they promise is on the way. “We’re working really hard to provide our fans with a rich collection of songs,” said NingNing. “Please stay tuned and wait a little longer!”

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