Whiplash (EP)
2024 EP by Aespa
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Whiplash is the fifth extended play by South Korean girl group Aespa. It was released by SM Entertainment on October 21, 2024, and contains six tracks, including the lead single of the same name.
Background and release
On September 23, 2024, SM Entertainment announced that Aespa would be releasing their fifth extended play titled Whiplash with the lead single of the same name on October 21.[1] Three days later, the promotional schedule was released.[2] On October 11, the track listing was released alongside the highlight medley teaser video.[3] Nine days later, the music video teaser for "Whiplash" was released.[4] The extended play was released alongside the music video for "Whiplash" on October 21.[5]
Composition
Whiplash contains six tracks. The lead single, "Whiplash", was described as a EDM-based song featuring "strong and fast-paced bass and house beats" with lyrics about "moving forward without hesitation with your own standards and criteria without being confined by a frame".[6] The second track, "Kill It", was described as a hip-hop dance song characterized by "catchy synth" with lyrics "expressesing a warning message to those who send unreasonable criticism".[7] The third track, "Flights, Not Feelings", was described as a R&B song featuring "a vintage yet mysterious rhythm" with lyrics "about having fun [while] letting go of bad feelings and living freely".[8]
The fourth track, "Pink Hoodie", was described as a hip-hop dance song featuring "unique synth sound and energetic bassline" with lyrics "wittily expressing the message of loving yourself as you are and having confidence".[7] The fifth track, "Flowers", was described as an alternative R&B song featuring "sophisticated guitar riff" with lyrics "comparing the feelings of falling in love to flowers".[8] The last track, "Just Another Girl", was described as a pop rock song characterized by "a rough guitar sound" with lyrics "conveying a warning message to a betrayed lover with a feeling of relief".[8]
Commercial performance
In United Kingdom, Whiplash debuted at number 53 on the OCC's UK Album Downloads Chart.[9]
Promotion
Prior to the release of Whiplash, on October 21, 2024, Aespa held a live event on YouTube, TikTok, and Weverse, aimed at introducing the extended play and connecting with their fanbase. Additionally, a pop-up store named "Aespa Week – #Whiplash_mood" was opened in Seoul, South Korea, running from October 21 to November 3.[10]
Accolades
| Award ceremony | Year | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAMA Awards | 2025 | Album of the Year | Nominated | [11] |
| TMElive International Music Awards | 2025 | International Digital EP of the Year | Won | [12] |
Track listing
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Arrangement | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Whiplash" | Leslie (XYXX) |
|
| 3:03 |
| 2. | "Kill It" | Hyun Ji-won |
| Imlay | 3:20 |
| 3. | "Flights, Not Feelings" | Lee Hye-yum (Jam Factory) |
|
| 3:02 |
| 4. | "Pink Hoodie" | Lee Eun-hwa (153/Joombas) |
| Sebastian Thott | 2:27 |
| 5. | "Flowers" | Ji Ye-won (153/Joombas) |
| Chantry Johnson | 3:11 |
| 6. | "Just Another Girl" | Lee Seu-ran |
| Phat Fabe | 3:04 |
| Total length: | 18:07 | ||||
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from the EP's liner notes.[13]
Studio
- SM Dorii Studio – recording (track 1–3, 5), digital editing (track 5)
- SM Yellow Tail Studio – recording (track 1, 3), digital editing, engineered for mix (track 1)
- SM Droplet Studio – recording (track 1–2, 4), digital editing, engineered for mix (track 2)
- Vibe Music Studio 606 – recording (track 1)
- SM Wavelet Studio – recording, engineered for mix (track 6), digital editing (track 3, 6)
- Golden Bell Tree Sound – recording (track 6)
- Sound Pool Studio – digital editing (track 1)
- 77F Studio – digital editing (track 4)
- SM Blue Ocean Studio – mixing (track 1, 5)
- SM Blue Cup Studio – mixing (track 2)
- SM Starlight Studio – mixing (track 3, 6)
- SM Big Shot Studio – mixing (track 4)
- 821 Sound – mastering (all tracks)
Personnel
- Aespa – vocals, background vocals (all tracks)
- Leslie (XYXX) – lyrics (track 1)
- Marcus "MarcLo" Lomax – composition (track 1)
- Neil Ormandy – producer, composition, arrangement (track 1)
- Rosina "Soaky Siren" Russell – composition, background vocals (track 1)
- Lewis Jankel a.k.a. Shift K3Y – producer, composition, arrangement (track 1)
- Hyun Ji-won – lyrics (track 2)
- Imlay – producer, composition, arrangement, vocal directing, synthesizer, FX, instrumental (track 2)
- Ejae – composition (track 2)
- Kirsten Collins – composition (track 2)
- Lee Hye-yum (Jam Factory) – lyrics (track 3)
- Honey Noise (The Hub) – producer, composition, arrangement, drums, bass, piano, synthesizer, programming (track 3)
- Brown Panda (The Hub) – producer, composition, arrangement, drums, bass, piano, synthesizer, programming (track 3)
- Frankie Day (The Hub) – composition (track 3)
- Chanti (The Hub) – composition (track 3)
- Lee Eun-hwa (153/Joombas) – lyrics (track 4)
- Didrik Thott – composition (track 4)
- Sebastian Thott – producer, composition, arrangement, drums, bass, synthesizer, programming (track 4)
- Maria Marcus – composition (track 4)
- Ji Ye-won (153/Joombas) – lyrics (track 5)
- Sofia Kay – composition (track 5)
- Chantry Johnson – producer, composition, arrangement (track 5)
- Noémie Legrand – composition (track 5)
- Lee Seu-ran – lyrics (track 6)
- Fabian Torsson a.k.a. Phat Fabe – producer, composition, arrangement (track 6)
- Moa "Cazzi Opeia" Carlebecker – composition (track 6)
- Ellen Berg – composition (track 6)
- Nermin Harambašić – composition (track 6)
- Maxx Song – vocal directing (track 1)
- Emily Yeonseo Kim – vocal directing (track 1, 5–6)
- Realmeee – vocal directing (track 2)
- MinGtion – vocal directing (track 3)
- Red Anne – vocal directing (track 3–4)
- Saay – vocal directing (track 5)
- Kriz – background vocals (track 1)
- Kwon Ae-jin – background vocals (track 2)
- Jeong Jae-won – recording (track 1–3, 5), digital editing (track 5)
- Noh Min-ji – recording (track 1, 3), digital editing, engineered for mix (track 1)
- Kim Joo-hyun – recording (track 1–2, 4), digital editing, engineered for mix (track 2)
- Kwak Jeong-shin – recording (track 1)
- Kang Eun-ji – recording, engineered for mix (track 6), digital editing (track 3, 6)
- Kim Kwang-min – recording (track 6)
- Jeong Ho-jin – digital editing (track 1)
- Woo Min-jeong – digital editing (track 4)
- Kim Cheol-sun – mixing (track 1, 5)
- Jung Eui-seok – mixing (track 2)
- Jeong Yoo-ra – mixing (track 3, 6)
- Lee Min-kyu – mixing (track 4)
- Kwon Nam-woo – mastering (all tracks)
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Monthly charts
Year-end charts
|
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| South Korea (KMCA)[34] | Million | 1,000,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||