For almost half a decade now, Aespa has been releasing some of the most forward-looking music in the K-pop genre. The girl group emerged in late 2020 with its debut single “Black Mamba,” and like so many other groups in that space, the four singers that make up the troupe have been continuously churning out project after project.

Aespa remains one of the most successful K-pop all-female acts in the Western world. This week, the band scores its first smash on one United Kingdom-based chart — and almost dominates it on its inaugural attempt.

“Dirty Work” Starts at No. 2

Aespa’s “Dirty Work” launches on the Official Physical Singles chart this week. The K-pop vocal outfit starts the short project at No. 2, coming in behind “Comin’ Home Baby” by Kevin Fingier Collective. Aespa has never landed on the U.K.’s ranking of the bestselling tracks on