Aespa Allegedly Banned From Using “Bubble” By SM Entertainment
Aespa fans have alleged that the four group members were restricted from using Bubble to communicate with fans in the past few weeks.
Speculation about a possible “ban” by SM Entertainment began earlier today when all four members resumed messaging fans after weeks of inactivity. While some fans have raised questions, many view the situation as a temporary measure that may not have been concerning.
Aespa’s absence from Bubble was first noticed in early December. The group, typically active on the app, had not shared messages since December 3. Karina and Ningning’s last updates were on December 2 and 3, respectively.
It's her caring side again 🤍 pic.twitter.com/LIYBB0xb7s
— 🍙 (@nnglog) December 2, 2024
Giselle followed with a brief post on December 7, where she shared two tracks with minimal interaction.
Giselle bbl update
These are so good!!!!
Thank you gigi for these gifts 🥹🥹🥹 pic.twitter.com/Sr3JZFSsTf— win 😎👽☃❄️🎸✨ MY WINTER 🤍🦾 (@aeswinterismine) December 7, 2024
After several days of silence, Winter was the first to break the absence on December 13 — letting fans know she was doing well after health-related updates from the company. Her short update was the only form of Bubble communication in the past weeks, which is considered unusual for the aespa members.
⭐️💭 241213
[4:46pm KST]“I’m all recovered so”
“Don’t worry”
“🤍🦾”
— ً (@winrinabbl) December 13, 2024
Fans have connected the timing of the inactivity to South Korea’s recent political developments. On December 3, President Yoon Suk Yeol’s unexpected announcement of martial law created a tense atmosphere nationwide. As a result, some fans allege that SM Entertainment may have temporarily paused the members’ use of Bubble as a precautionary step during this sensitive period.
I feel like SM banned aespa from sending bubble its been a long time since aespa send messages in bubble
— 🦖 (@dangonim) December 7, 2024
sk’s political climate in the past week most probably
— —𝒎. (@aespanim) December 16, 2024
That's real
They had been prohibited from writing on bbl due to the situation there, but once they were allowed, our Minjeong showed up at exactly 12.01 🫂
And the fact that she kept writing bbl during the ban, just to say she has recovered & we didn't need to worry.. Winter 🥹 https://t.co/kjqSF8d1FJ— im사야 ୧⍤⃝🔥 (@mindoongie01) December 16, 2024
When the members returned to Bubble today, Giselle’s use of an “unlocked” emoji caught fans’ attention.
SJDHHS SO THE BBL BAN WAS REAL 😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/x4ao04JXKt
— —𝒎. (@aespanim) December 16, 2024
Many interpreted it as a playful hint that any restrictions had ended. The synchronized return has been welcomed by fans, who are glad to reconnect with the group and understand that any absence might have been for practical reasons rather than a major concern.
Neither SM Entertainment nor Aespa has commented on the theories, leaving fans to interpret the situation themselves. With the group’s Bubble activity back to normal, fans can finally have fun interacting with the four girls through the much-loved platform.
