Aespa Surprises Fans with Totally Redesigned Lightstick, Eliciting Mixed Responses

aespa is facing mixed reactions over the bold redesign of their official lightstick. Instead of a typical update, SM Entertainment dropped a completely new shape fans didn’t expect — one that many compare to a pretzel.

This isn’t your usual “Version 2” tweak. The familiar dome shape is gone, replaced by a unique figure resembling the connected letters “a” and “e” — a nod to aespa’s stylized “æ.” Fans were initially confused, questioning how it matched aespa’s image.

Soon after, fans explained the design symbolism:

“Oh the one who made the design of aespa’s new lightstick is indeed smart
If you rotate the sticks like this, you’ll get a letter “a” and “e”, so if you combine, you’ll get “ae”
And also the color aurora ” — S (slow) via Twitter

Still, reactions remain divided. Some say it’s too unusual and lacks the vibe of the original.

“When I saw the flower petal–shaped thumbnail: ‘Ooh…’
After watching the whole thing: ‘Ugh…’”
— Fan via X

Others praise the daring move.

“This is the first time a ver2 of a lightstick changed entirely??? this one is way better than v1 and more aespa imo” — deyan. via Twitter

“the real mys understand the lightstick’s new design so non mys keep your unwanted opinions to yourself” — 윈터얼트 via Twitter

The controversy exploded online, with fans coining nicknames like “pretzelbong” for the design.

“It looks like the aespa lightstick pretzel” — @icurina via Twitter

The lightstick reveal comes just weeks before aespa’s third world tour, AExis Line, kicking off in Seoul on August 29-31. Fans are buzzing as aespa prepares to preview new tracks before their September 5 mini album Rich Man drops.

Whether loved or hated, aespa’s new lightstick is grabbing attention — just like the group.