The demanding schedules of aespa involve constant global travel, leaving little time for rest. These schedules are affecting the health of all aespa members, leading to injuries and exhaustion. The idol industry’s structure pressures them to maintain intense schedules, but prioritizing their health is becoming increasingly important.
Exhausting schedules of aespa Members’ Daily schedules
Theqoo community recently shared aespa Karina’s July schedules. These schedules reveal that she travels worldwide, working non-stop. Karina’s packed schedules include a concert in Japan for 15 days, followed immediately by activities in New York. She has no time for jet lag adjustment. Afterward, she takes a 19-hour flight to Singapore for a concert and fan signing event. Karina then goes to Shanghai for two consecutive days of fan signings before returning to Korea. Once in Korea, she completes two more schedules, finishing at 5 AM. On the same day, she flies to Osaka for another concert. Such relentless schedules inevitably affect her health.
aespa Karina’s July schedules
July 2: Departure for Japan
July 3 (Japanese debut song release)
Japanese music broadcast: Weekly Nay Nay Music (live)
July 4: Return to Korea for personal schedule
July 6: Departure for Fukuoka – departed on the day of the concert
July 6: Fukuoka concert
July 10-11: Nagoya concert
July 12: Japanese music broadcast: Music Station (live)
July 13: Pre-recording for Japanese music broadcast
July 14-15: Saitama concert
July 16: Personal schedule in New York
July 18: From New York to Singapore (19-hour flight)
July 20: Singapore concert
July 21: Singapore offline fan signing event
Departure for Shanghai
July 22: Chinese offline fan signing event
July 23: One-day cafe manager event in China
Arrival in Korea
July 24: Recording (announced on Bubble), 2 video calls with fans
July 25: Private schedule – schedule discovered through Bubble
Around 5 AM on July 26, announced on Bubble that all schedules were finished
July 26: Departure for Osaka (around 5 PM)
July 27-28: Osaka concert (only participated on July 27, did not participate on July 28 due to poor health condition)
Health Concerns Across aespa Amid Intense schedules
These demanding schedules are not unique to Karina. All four aespa members share these burdens. Giselle once collapsed, injuring her eye in the process. Winter previously had surgery for a collapsed lung and once missed a live broadcast during Supernova promotions due to health issues. Ningning also suffered from dehydration and exhaustion, leading her to miss the K Wave Concert during the final stages of the Supernova activities.
The Idol Industry’s Impact on Health
Theqoo users expressed concern over aespa’s intense schedules, especially during the peak of summer. Many users agreed that balancing a tour with additional schedules is unreasonable. The weather and time zone differences likely prevent adequate rest, which affects their health. Fans emphasized that better music and performances require the members to be in good health. The consensus is that aespa members’ happiness and well-being should be prioritized.
Health Risks and the Demands of the aespa Idol Industry
Some argue that the idol industry inherently demands such schedules. With an average career span of 10 years, idols are pressured to earn a lifetime’s worth of money quickly. They work alongside many others in the industry who also rely on this income. As concerts become successful, global tours become inevitable. Consequently, even between tours, schedules must be fulfilled. The current industry structure makes it almost impossible for idols to rest.
Proposing Solutions for aespa to Maintain Better health
Even considering the idol industry’s demands, extreme schedules are problematic. The primary focus of an idol should be touring, and during these tours, personal schedules should be minimized. There is a need to create an environment that allows idols to focus on their tours without additional pressures.
Here’s a link to theqoo.
I appreciate you taking the time to read this post. Please share your thoughts in the comments!
I mean, it’s our peak year, but if we don’t hustle now, we’re screwed. This is the cruel reality of the idol industry. Everyone’s working their asses off, but no one’s really winning.