Welcome to MY World (feat. nævis), AESPA (2023)
Welcome to MY World Review: Is Aespa's nævis Collab Worth Your Playlist Spot?
"Welcome to MY World" by aespa featuring Naevis captivated listeners when it dropped as a pre-release single for their third EP on May 2, 2023. Interestingly, according to Ning Ning, the track was originally intended to be nævis' debut song, but the group loved it so much they recorded it for their mini album instead.
The dreamy and majestic pop composition features distinctive guitar riffs and orchestration, crafted by talented writers Ellie Suh, Hyun Ji-won, and Danke. Despite being a pre-release, the song quickly climbed South Korea's Circle Digital Chart, initially debuting at number 122 before ascending to number 64 the following week. Additionally, the lyrics invite listeners into a new world while emphasizing connection across language barriers.
Is this alternative pop collaboration between aespa and their virtual counterpart nævis worthy of a spot in your playlist?
The Story Behind 'Welcome to MY World'
Aespa's third mini-album MY WORLD marked a significant shift in the group's artistic direction. The anticipation for new music had been building since their previous comeback with "Girls" in July 2022, creating nearly a nine-month gap. Behind the scenes, this delay wasn't without controversy—Lee Sung-soo revealed in February 2023 that Lee Soo-man had been "the reason why Aespa's music has been delayed".
Pre-release Strategy and Album Context
On April 17, 2023, SM Entertainment officially announced that aespa would release their third EP containing six tracks on May 8, with "Welcome to MY World" serving as a pre-release on May 2. This strategic release plan allowed fans to experience the group's evolving sound before the full EP launch. The mini-album would be available in four different versions featuring 11 distinct covers. Furthermore, the group had previously performed all four B-sides at their 'SYNK: Hyper Line' concert in February, creating early buzz among their fanbase.
Why nævis Was Chosen for the Feature
The inclusion of nævis marked a historic moment—the first time aespa sang alongside their AI character. Karina explained during an online press conference: "Welcome to MY World was initially supposed to be Naevis' track, but after listening to it, we found it so good that we asked if we could do it". The group was initially concerned about potential awkwardness, yet Karina noted that "Naevis' sound blended so smoothly with all of us". Notably, SM Entertainment officially revealed on April 26 that nævis would feature as a virtual artist in the track, launching what would eventually become nævis' own musical career.
SM Entertainment's Vision for the Track
SM Entertainment had been developing the concept of nævis since 2017 as part of an R&D project. The company envisioned artists performing "freely in both the real and digital worlds". With "Welcome to MY World," SM continued the group's sci-fi narrative while pivoting from their previous dark themes. As Karina explained at the press conference: "We've mostly done dark and intense music so far because of our Kwangya story line... But as we are back in the 'real world,' we wanted to focus on the ordinary teenage version of ourselves". Essentially, the track served as a bridge between aespa's virtual universe and reality, setting the foundation for the second season of the SM Culture Universe (SMCU).
Musical Composition and Genre Fusion
"Welcome to MY World" stands out in aespa's catalog through its distinctive musical approach that departs from their typically intense style. Written by Ellie Suh, Hyun Ji-won, and Danke, the track was composed and arranged by Mich Hansen and Jacob "Ubizz" Uchorczak, with additional compositional contributions from Celine Svanbäck and Patrizia Helander.
Instrumentation: Guitar Riffs and Orchestration
The song's instrumental foundation features dreamy guitar riffs that establish a contemplative atmosphere throughout the track. Moreover, what truly elevates the composition is its magnificent orchestration that becomes particularly prominent in the second half. This orchestral element creates a cinematic quality, supporting rather than overwhelming the vocal performances. The instrumental arrangement includes an impressive array of instruments: two guitars, bass guitar, glockenspiel, vibraphone, strings group (consisting of five parts), harp, synthesizer, and viola. This rich instrumentation contributes to the song's textured, layered sound.
Tempo, Key, and Arrangement Details
Interestingly, there are varying reports about the song's technical specifications. According to some sources, "Welcome to MY World" was composed in G major with a tempo of 152 beats per minute. However, other analyses suggest the song has a tempo of 77 BPM, which could be considered half-time of the faster tempo. Additionally, certain musical transcriptions indicate the song may be in E major with transitions to C# minor, although another analysis places it in E minor. The song runs 3 minutes and 27 seconds with a 4/4 time signature and is described as having high energy yet still being somewhat danceable.
Alternative Pop Meets Dreamy Aesthetics
Classified primarily as alternative pop, the track incorporates elements of dream pop, giving it an ethereal quality. Unlike aespa's previous releases that relied heavily on hyperpop and intense electronic sounds, this song takes a more languid approach. The track builds gradually, beginning with downbeat, rock-influenced trap-pop elements before transitioning into its symphonic crescendo. Overall, the dreamy vocals combined with the production create an almost supernatural sonic atmosphere that perfectly complements the lyrics about inviting listeners into aespa's musical world.
Visual Storytelling in the Music Video
The visuals for aespa's "Welcome to MY World" music video offer a striking departure from the group's previous futuristic concepts. Directed with a dreamier aesthetic, the video transports viewers into a serene yet mysterious natural setting that perfectly mirrors the track's softer musical approach.
Nature Imagery and Road Trip Motif
Throughout the music video, aespa members embark on a pastoral road trip that ultimately leads them to a forest setting. This journey represents a significant visual shift from their earlier cyberpunk-inspired videos. The cinematography captures the members connecting with nature in various scenes—exploring woodlands, relaxing in sunlit clearings, and driving through scenic landscapes. These elements create a refreshing visual narrative that feels more grounded and accessible than their previous KWANGYA-based storylines. The forest setting serves as both a physical and metaphorical space where the real world and AI elements eventually converge.
Symbolism of Naevis and the AI World
The video cleverly incorporates supernatural elements through a "mysterious aura" that follows the members throughout their nature journey. Visual distortions appear at key moments—sections of sky becoming warped, strange phenomena manifesting in front of trees, and light anomalies floating around the members like fireflies. These visual cues foreshadow nævis' presence before her reveal. Winter's upward glance coincides with Karina and Ningning singing "here's the invitation, come to me, hey baby, welcome to my world" as she notices the first sky distortion. Finally, as the members venture deeper into the forest, they discover nævis herself—marking the culmination of this visual journey.
How the Video Complements the Lyrics
The visual storytelling perfectly aligns with the song's lyrical invitation. As the members sing about welcoming someone to their world "beyond where feet fear to tread," the journey through nature visualizes this crossing of boundaries. The road trip motif physically represents the transition from familiar territories to new experiences. Consequently, the forest setting becomes the metaphorical meeting ground where different worlds—real and virtual—can safely interact. This visual narrative enhances the song's message about connection "in different languages" where "your truth remains the same". Ultimately, the video's more organic setting reflects aespa's artistic evolution from their metaverse origins toward a more grounded, naturalistic aesthetic.
Reception and Chart Performance
Upon its release, "Welcome to MY World" quickly made waves across music charts, demonstrating aespa's growing global influence beyond their established fanbase. The track's performance, coupled with critical reception, painted a clear picture of the song's impact within the K-pop landscape.
Initial Chart Rankings in Korea and Globally
"Welcome to MY World" first appeared at number 122 on South Korea's Circle Digital Chart for the week of April 30 to May 6, 2023, subsequently climbing to position 64 in the following week. Internationally, the song made notable debuts—reaching number 26 on Singapore's RIAS Top Regional Chart for May 5-11 and securing the 27th spot on Billboard Vietnam Hot 100 by mid-May. As for the entire MY WORLD mini-album, it dominated the Circle Album Chart with an impressive 1,420,178 copies sold in its first week. In the United States, MY WORLD entered the Billboard 200 at number nine with 39,000 copies sold. Simultaneously, it claimed the top position on both Billboard World Albums and Top Album Sales charts, marking aespa's third number one on the former. The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry recognized MY WORLD as 2023's twelfth best-selling album worldwide with 2.1 million units.
Critical Acclaim and Year-End Lists
Music critics responded favorably to both the single and its parent EP. "Welcome to MY World" earned the third position on Business Insider's "Best K-pop Songs of 2023" list plus ranked 13th on Dazed's "Top 50 Best K-pop Tracks of 2023". In NME's midyear assessment, Abby Webster praised the song for establishing "a perfected alchemy of hard and soft" while calling it "a welcome oasis in their digital terrain". Regarding the entire EP, Neil Z. Yeung awarded it 4 out of 5 stars, describing it as an "absolute breath of fresh air" in K-pop. IZM critic Seonghyun Han specifically highlighted "Welcome to MY World" as a standout track on the record.
Fan Reactions and Streaming Stats
Listeners embraced "Welcome to MY World" enthusiastically across streaming platforms. As of July 2025, the track has accumulated over 49 million Spotify streams with approximately 23,000 daily plays. The EP itself became a certified "double million-seller" within just two weeks of release, reaching 2,011,388 copies sold. This remarkable achievement surpassed BLACKPINK's previous record established with "Born Pink" in September 2022. Given these impressive metrics, fans expressed excitement for aespa's future projects, hoping for a full-length album from the quartet.
FAQS
Fans curious about aespa's "Welcome to MY World" often have questions about nævis and upcoming collaborations. Here are answers to commonly asked questions about this unique track and its virtual featured artist.
What exactly is nævis and when was she created?
Nævis began as part of an R&D project at SM Entertainment in 2017. The company developed her with the vision that artists would eventually "perform freely in both the real and digital worlds". Though she debuted alongside aespa in their story universe, SM Entertainment has been preparing her for an independent career beyond just the group's lore.
How was nævis' voice created?
Unlike many virtual artists, nævis wasn't modeled after any specific person. Her distinctive voice was crafted by mixing various voice actors' vocals to create her unique sound. This approach allowed SM Entertainment to develop a flexible character that could appeal to diverse audiences across different musical genres.
Will nævis continue to collaborate with aespa?
As SM Entertainment explained, "Her story may unfold with aespa from time to time, but she will be pursuing her own activities for the time being". The company has established a detailed three-year plan for nævis that includes global activities across various platforms including webtoons, games, and animations.
What's next for nævis in 2025?
In July 2025, nævis will appear as a color commentator in Street Fighter 6 as part of a special collaboration between the game and aespa. Players can select from three language options (Korean/Japanese/English) for her commentary. Additionally, Juri will receive an aespa-themed costume available for purchase for one year starting July 4, 2025, priced at 350 Fighter Coins.
How can fans participate in collaboration events?
A special giveaway campaign will accompany the Street Fighter 6 collaboration, offering prizes including signed acrylic panels and sticker sets. To enter, fans can either repost campaign content or share screenshots of streaming aespa's music.
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