Supernova (Aespa song)

"Supernova" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Aespa for their first studio album Armageddon. It was released by SM Entertainment on May 13, 2024, as the lead single from the album. Written by Kenzie and composed by her alongside Paris Alexa and Dem Jointz, it is a dance and hyper-pop song that incorporates hip-hop and EDM with lyrics comparing Aespa's expanded world view to a supernova.
The song experienced huge commercial success in South Korea, scoring a perfect all-kill and becoming the group's first song to top the Circle Digital Chart. It remained at number one for eleven non-consecutive weeks and became the best-performing single of the year. "Supernova" also topped charts in Hong Kong and entered the top ten in Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Taiwan. It peaked at number 17 on the Billboard Global 200 and number six on the Global Excl. US, becoming their first top-ten hit on the latter chart. It received numerous accolades at year-end award ceremonies, including Song of the Year at the 2024 Korea Grand Music Awards, 2024 MAMA Awards, 2024 Melon Music Awards, 39th Golden Disc Awards and 22nd Korean Music Awards.
On April 22, 2024, SM Entertainment announced that Aespa would be releasing their first studio album titled Armageddon. It was also announced that the album would feature two title tracks: "Supernova" and "Armageddon", with the former releasing on May 13 and the latter, along with the album, on May 27. On May 10, the track listing was revealed alongside a highlight medley teaser video. Two days later, the music video teaser was released. "Supernova" was released along with its music video on May 13.
On September 20, ScreaM Records released the remix version of "Supernova" by Canadian musician Grimes alongside the remixes of "Armageddon", under the 33rd volume of the series iScreaM.
"Supernova" was written and composed by Kenzie, with Paris Alexa contributing to the composition, and Dem Jointz participating in both the composition and arrangement. The track samples the 1982 tune, "Planet Rock", by American hip hop artists Afrika Bambaataa and Soulsonic Force. Described as a dance and hyper-pop song characterized by "heavy kick and bass", "catchy top line", and "synth melody" with lyrics about "Aespa's expanded world view by comparing the beginning of an event that opens a door to another dimension to a supernova, expressing the beginning of a big explosion". "Supernova" was composed in the key of B minor, with a tempo of 120 beats per minute.
Gil Kaufman of Billboard, described the track as "the dance floor-ready" fusion of "hip-hop beats, EDM rhythms and smooth pop vocals". Uproxx's Derrick Rossignol characterized "Supernova" as a "cross-genre banger" that combines "elements of pop, dance, hip-hop, and electronic music into one cohesive package".
"Supernova" debuted at number eight on South Korea's Circle Digital Chart in the chart issue dated May 12–18, 2024, ascending to number one in the following week. The song also debuted on the Billboard South Korea Songs in the chart issue dated May 25, 2024, ascending to number one in the following week. The song achieved the perfect all-kill status, where a song simultaneously reaches number one on the real-time, daily, and weekly components of iChart. In Japan, the song debuted at number 26 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 in the chart issue dated May 22, 2024, ascending to number 25 in the following week. On the Oricon Combined Singles Chart, the song debuted at number 24 in the chart issue dated May 27, 2024.
In Singapore, "Supernova" debuted at number 28 on the RIAS Top Streaming Chart and number 11 on the Top Regional Chart in the chart issue dated May 10–16, 2024, ascending to number six on the Top Streaming Chart and number two on the Top Regional Chart in the following week. In Hong Kong, the song debuted at number 15 on the Billboard Hong Kong Songs in the chart issue dated May 25, 2024, ascending to number one in the following week. In Taiwan, the song debuted at number six on the Billboard Taiwan Songs in the chart issue dated May 25, 2024, ascending to number two in the following week. In Indonesia, the song debuted at number 14 on the Billboard Indonesia Songs in the chart issue dated June 1, 2024. In Malaysia, the song debuted at number ten on the Billboard Malaysia Songs in the chart issue dated June 1, 2024.
In United States, "Supernova" debuted at number five on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales in the chart issue dated May 25, 2024. In New Zealand, "Supernova" debuted at number 20 on the RMNZ Hot Singles in the chart issue dated May 20, 2024, ascending to number 12 in the following week. In United Kingdom, the song debuted at number 33 on the OCC's UK Singles Download Chart, and UK Singles Sales Chart in the chart issue dated May 17–23, 2024. In Netherlands, the song debuted at number 17 on the Global Top 40 in the chart issue dated May 27, 2024. In Argentina, the song debuted at number 50 on the Billboard Argentina Hot 100 in the chart issue dated June 1, 2024. Globally, the song debuted at number 50 on the Billboard Global 200, and number 23 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. in the chart issue dated May 25, 2024, ascending to number 19 on the Global 200, and number seven on the Global Excl. U.S. in the following week. The song peaked at number 17 on the Global 200, and number six on the Global Excl. U.S. the following week
The music video directed by Ha Junghoon (Hattrick), was released on May 13, 2024, alongside the song. On the same day, it was announced that the music video had surpassed 10 million views within 10 hours.
The "futuristic" music video shows Aespa in "dynamic and witty characterizations", displaying their superpowers throughout the city. It features each member possessing an "otherworldly power" - Karina's super strength, Ningning's control over fire, Winter's floating in the air and Giselle's time-looping. The visual starts with Karina surviving a fall from way high up onto a car. Moments later, she leaves the shattered vehicle unharmed. Other scenes include the member "ripping the side mirrors off parked cars, flashing [her] vampire fangs and lifting up vehicles with one hand".
Additionally, AI technology was used to move still photos of Aespa's faces in synergy with the lyrics of the song. Member Ningning revealed that she "laughed so much when [she] saw the AI scene", describing it as "not something you expect". The singer also realized that "even in a world where AI covers and AI-anything are so popular", the technology will not be able to "replicate our expressions and the temperatures of humans".
Following the release of "Supernova", on May 13, 2024, Aespa performed on four music programs in the first week of promotion: Mnet's M Countdown on May 16, and KBS's Music Bank on May 17, MBC's Show! Music Core on May 18, and SBS's Inkigayo on May 19. In the second and final week of promotion, they performed on four music programs: M Countdown on May 23, Music Bank on May 24, Show! Music Core on May 25, and Inkigayo on May 26, where they won first place for three appearances except Music Bank.
On South Korea music programs, "Supernova" achieved a triple crown on June 23 episode of Inkigayo in 2024.
Credits adapted from the album's liner notes.
Studio
Personnel