Why Netizens Dub aespa’s ‘Dirty Work’ Debut at No. 63 on Spotify as Fake

Aespa has made a significant impact by debuting at No. 63 on the Global Spotify Chart with their recent single, “Dirty Work.” This track showcases the group’s signature style and catchy tune, winning over a multitude of fans who took to social media to show their support. However, not all reactions have been positive.

Exciting Achievements for “Dirty Work”

Debuting on the Global Spotify Chart just a day after its June 27 release, “Dirty Work” garnered around 1,836,980 streams, marking a notable achievement for aespa. Additionally, they set a record for the largest debut from a K-pop group on Spotify Counter in 2025, with an impressive total of 2,396,906 streams.

This surpassed the previous record held by ENHYPEN, who had garnered 2,206,770 streams for their track “Bad Desire (With or Without You).”

Controversy Surrounding Aespa’s Achievement

Despite the excitement, some people have alleged that aespa’s Spotify record may be fraudulent. Critics pointed out that a substantial portion of their streams—625,837—originated from Thailand, which represents about 35% of the total. This led to suspicions among fans who labeled the Thai supporters as “bots,” suggesting that the numbers might have been artificially inflated.

Moreover, aespa’s decision to release three additional versions of “Dirty Work” faced criticism, with some accusing the group of utilizing questionable tactics to boost streaming figures. However, their fans quickly defended them, asserting that all streaming occurred through legitimate methods. Comments highlighted that Spotify has performed several bot removal initiatives recently, particularly focusing on K-pop artists.

Supporters praised Karina, Winter, Giselle, and Ningning for their remarkable comeback, especially given the lack of promotional backing from their agency, SM Entertainment. They also noted the criticism faced by the group due to recent political controversies.