RIIZE And aespa’s Collaboration At The “2023 Music Bank Global Festival” Is Disappointing For Some

End-of-year music festivals are an anticipated time for K-Pop fans. In addition to grand and elaborate performances of their own songs, groups will collaborate for special stages.

10 Epic Idol Collaboration Stages That Will Make Your Jaw Drop

This year, broadcast station KBS changed the format of their end-of-year festival. Usually known as KBS Gayo Daechukje, the 2023 Music Bank Global Festival occurred in Japan and Korea this year.

At the Korea event, SM Entertainment’s newest groups, RIIZE and aespa, had a special collaboration stage featuring Shotaro, Wonbin, Karina, and Winter.

aespa’s Karina (left) and Winter (right) | @aespa_official/Twitter RIIZE’s Wonbin (left) and Shotaro (right) | @riize_official/Instagram

However, the collaboration fell short for many for a few reasons.

The collaboration’s title is “Hot & Cold,” which seems perfect for the time of year.  From their performances to their stage outfits,  the four idols put on an amazing stage.

As with many of the event’s stages, some fans had issues with the camera work during the performance.

wonbin looks so good here the camera work rlly didn’t do him justice omg pic.twitter.com/2v27yWcHfr

— gigi ִ ࣪???? (@bbinstar) December 15, 2023

Can't wait for the group fancam coz the camera work was ass pic.twitter.com/POirvg0WwC

— 「ᶠʳᵉᵃᵏᵃ` ʲ」ʀɪɪᴢᴇ???? 쇼타로 ⍤ shotaro ⍣ ⍨ ㉱이즈 (@freaka_j2) December 15, 2023

However, most fans’ issues come from the choice of song. Hot & Cold might seem like a new song for some viewers who aren’t fans SM Entertainment‘s groups.

The track was actually released on the 2022 Winter SMTOWN : SMCU PALACE album and featured EXO‘s Kai, Red Velvet‘s Seulgi, NCT‘s Jeno and Karina.

(left to right) NCT’s Jeno, Red Velvet’s Seulgi, Karina, and EXO’s Kai | @smtown/Instagram

Many were disappointed that a relatively new track was picked for the collaboration, especially considering the original unit performed it this year. Some expressed wishes that an older song be used to give the idols, especially Karina, who is in the original unit, a chance to shine.

Fans of the other idols in the original unit were also not pleased. While Kai is serving his mandatory military enlistment, Jeno and Seulgi are active, though busy with different schedules.

performing hot and cold and removing seulgi and jeno for absolutely no fucking reason? they shouldn't have gone through with it in the first place

— (@pxrkjisungs) December 15, 2023

i think what's annoying about the hot & cold thing is how relentless ppl were about how "undeserving" jeno was of being in the lineup in the first place. it feels like sm is just validating those people for no reason

— brook (@bratzdollchenle) December 15, 2023

jeno got hate for being part of the original hot & cold lineup, which has been called the aces of sm btw, and now he's left out of his own song. i get that he's across the world right now, and sm wants a collab stage, but at this expense?

— yed's bff (@jenoleeader) December 15, 2023

What do you think about this issue?