aespa are officially entering their pink era. The SM girl group will release their first Japanese mini album, KISS N TELL, on July 24, 2026, a six track Japanese original project that opens a new chapter in their global run.
For fans used to aespa’s fierce, cyber heavy image, this feels like a plot twist. Early teasers show Karina, Giselle, Winter and Ningning in pastel looks and retro future sets, hinting that KISS N TELL will lead their next big move in Japan after 2024 Japanese debut single Hot Mess.
‘KISS N TELL’ Release Plan
Officially titled The 1st Japan Mini Album KISS N TELL, the project arrives in Japan on July 24 through SM Entertainment and Warner Music Japan. It marks aespa’s first Japanese album release in about two years, following debut single Hot Mess.
The mini album features six Japanese language tracks, all described as original songs, with the title track KISS N TELL at the center. Coming soon after their second full album Lemonade debuted at No. 9 on the Billboard 200, their third top ten there, the release signals a focused push into one of K pop’s most competitive markets.
Pink Y2K aespa Concept
Visuals present a fantastical and mysterious world view inside a retro future style salon. The members pose on a giant CD in coordinated pink outfits for the KISS N TELL version cover, turning aespa into full on Y2K dolls.
The palette sharply contrasts the darker, hyper digital concepts that defined eras like Black Mamba, Next Level, Drama and Lemonade. Press coverage describes a reversal charm, highlighting a softer, lovely side of aespa while keeping their high impact performance image that fans know from stages and tours.
The songs connect directly to Japanese pop culture. ATTITUDE, already familiar as the opening theme for TV Tokyo anime Kill Blue, and In Halo, the main theme for TV Tokyo and Netflix drama Kimbap and Onigiri, are both included on the mini album alongside other new Japanese originals.
Promos and Global Fans
Japan promotions for the aespa KISS N TELL Japanese mini album start just before release. The group will host MY-J presents aespa JAPAN FANMEETING 2026 “MY CLASSMaeTE” at Keio Arena Tokyo from July 18 to 20, giving local MYs an early taste of the pink concept on stage.
The physical album arrives in several collectable formats, each bundled with a serial code for a Japan based autograph event in August and clear file prizes. For fans choosing one version, the visuals are the main difference:
- Limited Edition with an 80 page photobook, postcard, cards and logo sticker.
- Poster Version focused on a random large poster plus cards and sticker.
- KISS N TELL Version featuring the pink giant CD cover, lyric booklet, card and sticker, with a Warner Music store set that adds a complete poster bundle and extra unit cards.
Streaming will reach far beyond Japan. Global pre add and pre save links are already live, so KISS N TELL is set to arrive on major platforms worldwide on July 24, while international MYs can import their preferred version through Japanese retailers that ship overseas and be ready when aespa’s pink Y2K era officially begins.