aespa member Ningning will not take part in Japan’s most prestigious year-end music program, NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen, due to health concerns.
On December 29, SM Entertainment announced through the group’s official Japanese website that Ningning was recently diagnosed with influenza after visiting a hospital for persistent health issues. According to the agency, medical professionals advised that she requires sufficient rest and recovery.
As a result, SM Entertainment requested coordination with NHK, confirming that aespa will appear on the upcoming broadcast with three members only. Karina, Giselle, and Winter will represent the group at the event. The agency apologized for delivering the update shortly before the broadcast.
Agency Addresses Past SNS Controversy
In the same statement, SM Entertainment also addressed renewed criticism surrounding a past social media post made by Ningning. The agency clarified that the post had no specific intention or hidden meaning, but acknowledged that it caused concern among some viewers. SM stated that it will take greater care moving forward to avoid similar misunderstandings.
The clarification appears to reference a 2022 incident in which a photo uploaded by Ningning sparked backlash from some Japanese netizens. Critics claimed the image resembled an atomic bomb explosion, leading to controversy at the time.
Kohaku Uta Gassen Set for December 31
The 76th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen will be held on December 31 at NHK Hall in Tokyo. The annual broadcast is considered one of Japan’s most iconic year-end television events, featuring top artists from Japan and abroad.
SM Entertainment concluded its announcement by asking for fans’ understanding and emphasizing that Ningning’s health and recovery remain the top priority.
Editor’s Insight
The storm surrounding aespa’s Kōhaku debut is a stark reminder of how fragile the intersection of pop culture and high-stakes diplomacy can be in 2026. While NHK initially stood firm against an online petition that eventually gathered over 120,000 signatures, the sudden influenza diagnosis that sidelined Ningning on the day of the broadcast felt to many like a strategic “silent retreat” to de-escalate simmering Sino-Japanese tensions. The remaining three members—Karina, Winter, and Giselle—delivered a technically flawless performance, but the night was immediately hijacked by bizarre conspiracy theories pointing out they took the stage at exactly 8:15 PM, a time critics claimed was a coded reference to the Hiroshima bombing. It was a bittersweet milestone; while aespa officially joined the elite ranks of Kōhaku performers, the experience highlighted a new reality where even a random time slot or a years-old social media post can be weaponized into a nationalistic scandal.