Next Level

***Next Level*** is the third digital single by aespa. It was released on May 17, 2021.

"Next Level" is a hip hop dance song with a groovy rap and energetic bass riff. The lyrics also interestingly tell the story of the worldview, which is about the journey to "KWANGYA" to find "Black Mamba" that interfered with the connection between aespa and the avatars.

The song is a remake of a song by the same name from Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw film soundtrack, originally released in 2019.

## Release

Concept photos were released on May 7 to May 15. Notably these photos were designed by Bryan Huynh, a photographer who had previously accused S.M. Entertainment of plagiarizing his work for aespa's debut promotional photos. SM Entertainment said the photos provided a futuristic mood in accordance with the concept of the new song. The teaser for the music video was released at midnight on May 16th. A press conference was held for the release on May 17th at 11 am KST.

aespa had their first V Live called 'Next Level of aespa' which was held on May 17th at 8 pm KST. During the V Live they talked about their new song and hosted a variety of events/segments.

On May 20th, aespa's first performance stage was released at 6 pm KST. The first performance stage used dynamic camerawork and highlighted aespa's visuals and performance. The second performance stage was released on the 25th and the third was on the 27th. In total, three performance stages showcasing various concepts were released. They began promoting on music shows on May 28th at Music Bank and ended on June 5 at Music Core.

As a way to celebrate reaching 100 million views on the music video, a special dance practice was released on June 19th.

## Lyrics

* HANGUL
* ROMANIZATION
* ENGLISH

## Hangul

****I’m on the Next Level Yeah**절대적 룰을 지켜
내 손을 놓지 말아
결속은 나의 무기**광야로 걸어가**알아 네 Home ground
위협에 맞서서
제껴라 제껴라 제껴라
Woo-wee-woo wee
**상상도 못한 Black out**유혹은 깊고 진해**(Too hot too hot)**
Woo-wee-woo wee
**맞잡은 손을 놓쳐**난 절대 포기 못해
**I’m on the Next Level**저 너머의 문을 열어
Next Level[**카**/**윈**] **널** 결국엔 내가 부셔
**Next Level**KOSMO에 닿을 때까지
Next Level
제껴라 제껴라 제껴라
La la la la la la
La la la la la la
La la la la la la
La la la la la

**I see the NU EVO.**적대적인 고난과 슬픔은
널 더 Popping 진화시켜**That’s my naevis It’s my naevis**You lead, we follow
감정들을 배운 다음
Watch me while I make it out
**Watch me while I work it out**Watch me while I make it out**Watch me while I work it out**Work it work it work it out
**감당할 수 없는 절망도**내 믿음을 깨지 못해**(Watch me while I work it)**
**더 아픈 시련을 맞아도**난 잡은 손을 놓지 않을게 Oh**(Watch me while I work it)**

**Beat drop**
**Naevis calling**

**절대로 뒤를 돌아보지 말아**광야의 것 탐내지 말아
약속이 깨지면
모두 걷잡을 수 없게 돼**언제부턴가 불안해져 가는 신호**널 파괴하고 말 거야(We want it)
**Come on!**Show me the way to KOSMO Yeah
**Black Mamba가 만들어낸 환각 퀘스트**aespa, ae를 분리시켜놓길 원해 그래**중심을 잃고 목소리도 잃고 비난받고**사람들과 멀어지는 착각 속에[**카**/**지**] naevis 우리 ae, ae들을 불러봐
**aespa의 Next Level “P.O.S”를 열어봐**
**이건 REAL WORLD 깨어났어**
**We against the villain**What’s the name?**Black Mamba**

Woo-wee-woo wee
**결국 난 문을 열어**그 빛은 네겐 Fire**(Too hot too hot)**
Woo-wee-woo wee
**난 궁금해 미치겠어**이다음에 펼칠 StoryHuh!

**I’m on the Next Level**저 너머의 문을 열어
Next Level[**윈**/**닝**] **널** 결국엔 내가 부셔
**Next Level**KOSMO에 닿을 때까지
Next Level
제껴라 제껴라 제껴라
**I’m on the Next Level**더 강해져 자유롭게
Next Level
난 광야의 내가 아냐**Next Level**야수 같은 나를 느껴
Next Level
제껴라 제껴라 제껴라Huh!**

## Romanization

****I’m on the Next Level Yeah**Jeolttaejeok rureul jikyeo
Nae soneul nochi mara
Gyeolsogeun naye mugi**Gwangyaro georeoga**Ara ne Home ground
Wihyeobe masseoseo
Jekkyeora jekkyeora jekkyeora
Woo-wee-woo wee
**Sangsangdo motan Black out**Yuhogeun gipgo jinhae**(Too hot too hot)**
Woo-wee-woo wee
**Matjabeun soneul notcheo**Nan jeolttae pogi motae
**I’m on the Next Level**Jeo neomeoye muneul yeoreo
Next Level[**Ka**/**Win**] **Neol** gyeolgugen naega busheo
**Next Level**KOSMO-e daeul ttaekkaji
Next Level
Jekkyeora jekkyeora jekkyeora
La la la la la la
La la la la la la
La la la la la la
La la la la la

**I see the NU EVO.**Jeokdaejeogin gonangwa seulpeumeun
Neol deo Popping jinhwashikyeo**That’s my naevis It’s my naevis**You lead, we follow
Gamjeongdeuleul baeun daeum
Watch me while I make it out
**Watch me while I work it out**Watch me while I make it out**Watch me while I work it out**Work it work it work it out
**Gamdanghal su eomneun jeolmangdo**Nae mideumeul kkaeji motae**(Watch me while I work it)**
**Deo apeun shiryeoneul majado**Nan jabeun soneul nochi aneulkke Oh**(Watch me while I work it)**

**Beat drop**
**Naevis calling**

**Jeolttaero dwireul doraboji mara**Gwangyaye geot tamnaeji mara
Yaksogi kkaejimyeon
Modu geotjabeul su eopge dwae**Eonjebuteonga buranhaejeo ganeun shinho**Neol pagwehago mal kkeoya(We want it)
**Come on!**Show me the way to KOSMO Yeah
**Black Mamba-ga mandeureonaen hwangak kweseuteu**aespa, ae-reul bullishikyeonokil weonhae geurae**Jungshimeul ilko moksorido ilko binanbatgo**Saramdeulgwa meoreojineun chakkak soge[**Ka**/**Gi**] naevisuri ae, aedeuleul bulleobwa
**aespa-ye Next Level “P.O.S”-reul yeoreobwa**
**Igeon REAL WORLD kkaeeonasseo**
**We against the villain**What’s the name?**Black Mamba**

Woo-wee-woo wee
**Gyeolguk nan muneul yeoreo**Geu bicheun negen Fire**(Too hot too hot)**
Woo-wee-woo wee
**Nan gunggeumhae michigesseo**Idaeume pyeolchil StoryHuh!

**I’m on the Next Level**Jeo neomeoye muneul yeoreo
Next Level[**Win**/**Ning**] **Neol** gyeolgugen naega busheo
**Next Level**KOSMO-e daeul ttaekkaji
Next Level
Jekkyeora jekkyeora jekkyeora
**I’m on the Next Level**Deo ganghaejeo jayuropge
Next Level
Nan gwangyaye naega anya**Next Level**Yasu gateun nareul neukkyeo
Next Level
Jekkyeora jekkyeora jekkyeoraHuh!**

## English

****I’m on the Next Level Yeah**I follow the absolute rules
Don't let go of my hand
Unity is my weapon**I walk to KWANGYA**I know your home ground
Confront the threat
Beat it, beat it, beat it
Woo-wee-woo wee
**An unexpected black out**The temptation is deep and strong**(Too hot too hot)**
Woo-wee-woo wee
**Letting go of the hands held together**But I'll never give up
**I'm on the Next Level**I open the door over there
Next Level[**Ka**/**Win**] **I'll** destroy you in thе end
**Next Level**Until I reach the KOSMO
Next Level
Beat it, beat it, beat it
La la la la la la
La la la la la la
La la la la la la
La la la la la

**I see the NU EVO.**The hostile suffering and sorrow
Make you popping and evolve further**That's my naevis It's my naevis**You lead, we follow
After learning the feelings
Watch me while I make it out
**Watch me while I work it out**Watch me while I make it out**Watch me while I work it out**Work it work it work it out
**Even the unbearable despair**Can't break my faith**(Watch me while I work it)**
**Even if a more painful trial comes**I won't let go of your hand Oh**(Watch me while I work it)**

**Beat drop**
**Naevis calling**

**Never look back**Don't covet things of KWANGYA
If the promises are broken
Everything will be out of control**The signal is becoming unstable since a certain point in time**I'll destroy you in the end(We want it)
**Come on!**Show me the way to KOSMO Yeah
**A hallucination quest created by the Black Mamba**aespa, They want to separate out ae, that's right**I lose my balance and my voice too**In the illusion of being criticized and alienated[**Ka**/**Gi**] naevis We (Call ae, ae)
**aespa's Next Level Open "P.O.S"**
**This is the REAL WORLD, I'm awake**
**We against the villain**What's the name?**Black Mamba**

Woo-wee-woo wee
**I open the door in the end**That light is like fire to you**(Too hot, too hot)**
Woo-wee-woo wee
**I'm dying to know**The next story that will unfoldHuh!

**I'm on the Next Level**I open the door over there
Next Level[**Win**/**Ning**] **I'll** destroy you in the end
**Next Level**Until I reach the KOSMO
Next Level
Beat it, beat it, beat it
**I'm on the Next Level**I become stronger and free
Next Level
I'm no longer who I was at KWANGYA**Next level**Feel me, I'm like a beast
Next level
Beat it, beat it, beat itHuh!**

## Videos

Aespa 에스파 'Next Level' MV TeaserAespa 에스파 'Next Level' MV⚔️ aespa ‘Next Level’ MV Reaction⚔️-공유- aespa - Next Level 선생님 안무 컨펌 영상 공유의 건-BE ORIGINAL- aespa(에스파) 'Next Level' (4K)다 잘할 준비됐죠?😉 - aespa 에스파 ‘Next Level’ 응원법-주간아 미방- 무대마저 어나더 레벨! 광야 대스타 에스파(aespa)의 ‘Next Level’♬ l EP.513-릴레이댄스- aespa(에스파) - Next Level (4K)That’s my nævis It’s my nævis - Choreography video Behind The Scenes이번 의상은 City 느낌~🌇✨ - aespa 에스파 'Next Level' The Performance Stage BehindAespa 에스파 'Next Level' Jacket Behind The ScenesAespa 에스파 'Next Level' MV Behind The Scenes-BE ORIGINAL- aespa(에스파) 'Next Level' (Behind) (ENG SUB)에스파 지켜!ㅣaespa 에스파 'Next Level' 음악방송 비하인드Aespa 에스파 'Next Level' aespa Company ver. Dance Practice
## Stages

* 21.05.20 - The Performance Stage #1
* 21.05.25 - The Performance Stage #2
* 21.05.27 - The Performance Stage #3
* 21.05.28 - Music Bank
* 21.05.30 - Inkigayo
* 21.06.03 - M Countdown
* 21.06.05 - Music Core
* 21.06.25 - Music Bank

## Chart Performance

### Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for "Next Level"
 Japan (Japan Hot 100)
 Singapore (RIAS)
 South Korea (Gaon)
 South Korea (K-pop Hot 100)
 US World Digital Song Sales (*Billboard*)

### Monthly charts

Monthly chart performance for "Next Level"
 South Korea (K-pop Hot 100)

## References

1. ↑ "Comeback" aespa, level up charisma with the new song "Next Level"!
2. ↑ Netizens discover Next Level is a remake, Allkpop
3. ↑ screenshots from bryanhuynh's Instagram story
4. ↑ SM 신인 걸그룹 ‘에스파’, 17일 새 싱글 ‘Next Level’ 발표