aespa’s ‘Dirty Work’ Surpasses 1.01 Million Pre-Orders Ahead of Release
K-pop group aespa has released their new single Dirty Work today (June 27) at 1 PM KST across various music platforms, alongside its music video. SM Entertainment confirmed that the single had surpassed around 1.01 million pre-orders as of June 26.
This marks aespa’s sixth million-seller release, following their 2nd mini-album Girls, 3rd mini-album MY WORLD, 4th mini-album Drama, 1st full-length album Armageddon, and 5th mini-album Whiplash.
The single contains four versions: the original double title track Dirty Work, a version featuring Flo Milli, an English version, and an instrumental. The physical album, which includes the title and instrumental tracks, also dropped today.
A limited edition version, Dirty Work (Dirty Crew Ring Ver.), will be available on July 4. According to SM, it symbolizes a “bond” between aespa and MY, the group’s official fan club.
The Dirty Work MV shifts aespa’s artistic direction with a grounded visual style, set in a massive steel mill. Scenes show the members moving through industrial spaces, with synchronized group choreographies that reflect the song’s tone. They’re shown running, rolling, and performing in a muddy, heavy setting — a stark contrast to their earlier cyber concepts.
“Like a mutation that never existed before / I am a curse / When seen by the majority / Set ’em on fire, illuminate yourself,” the lyrics declare, with members delivering the lines in a cool, steady tone.
The track is a dance song built on a sharp synth bass and a dry, urban vocal tone. While their earlier song Whiplash relied on aggressive pacing and high tension, Dirty Work shows a more polished restraint. The production stays consistent with aespa’s sonic identity, described as a “metallic” sound that now leans into density instead of impact.
aespa continues building on the style they’ve developed in tracks like Supernova. This latest release stays aligned with their established direction but adds a more refined and self-aware sound. They move from the abstract to the real, bringing a tactile setting that supports their ongoing narrative.
