Album
Next Level (Single)
Release Date
May 17, 2021
Label
Composers / Lyricists
Yoo Young-jin, Mario Marchetti, Adam McInnis, Sophie Curtis, Yoo Young-jin
Participating Members
About the Song
《Next Level》 is the third single by aespa, released in 2021 under SM Entertainment as part of the group’s expanding narrative universe. Originally based on the track “Next Level” by A$ton Wyld, the song was reimagined by veteran producer and songwriter Yoo Young-jin, transforming it into a bold K-pop anthem that blends cinematic structure with intense energy. Lyrically, 《Next Level》 follows aespa and their avatars, the æ, as they venture into the Kwangya to confront Black Mamba, the antagonist introduced in their previous single, depicting a journey of conflict, awakening, and evolution. Through its unconventional progression and strong narrative focus, the song reinforces aespa’s identity as a group defined by storytelling, resilience, and a futuristic worldview within modern K-pop.
[FULL LYRICS – ROMANIZATION & ENGLISH ONLY]
jeol-dae-jeok rul-eul ji-kyeo
nae son-eul not-ji mal-a
gyeol-sok-eun na-ui mu-gi
kwang-ya-ro geol-eo-ga
Living by absolute rules
Never letting go of your hand
Our promise is my weapon
As I step into the Kwangya
wi-hyeop-e mat-seo-seo
je-kkyeo-ra je-kkyeo-ra je-kkyeo-ra
sang-sang-do mot-han BLACK OUT
I face the threat head-on
Pushing through again and again
Even into a blackout no one could imagine
(too hot too hot)
mat-jab-eun son-eul not-chyeo
nan jeol-dae po-gi mot-hae
(Too hot too hot)
I won’t let go of the hand I’m holding
I’ll never give up
jeo neo-meo-ui mun-eul yeol-eo
NEXT LEVEL
neol gyeol-guk-en nae-ga bu-syeo
NEXT LEVEL
KOSMO-e da-eul ttae-kka-ji
NEXT LEVEL
je-kkyeo-ra je-kkyeo-ra je-kkyeo-ra
I open the door beyond the line
Next level
Breaking through in the end
Next level
Until I reach Kosmo
Next level
Pushing forward without hesitation
la la la la la la
la la la la la la
la la la la la
jeok-dae-jeok-in go-nan-gwa seul-peum-eun
neol deo POPPING jin-hwa-si-kyeo
that’s my NAEVIS it’s my NAEVIS
you lead, we follow
Adversity and sorrow
Only make you grow sharper, stronger
That’s my Naevis, it’s my Naevis
You lead, we follow
watch me while i make it out
watch me while i work it out
watch me while i make it out
watch me while i work it out
work it work it work it out
Watch me while I make it out
Watch me while I work it out
Watch me while I make it out
Watch me while I work it out
Work it, work it, work it out
nae mid-eum-eul kkae-ji mot-hae
deo a-peun si-ryeon-eul maj-a-do
nan jab-eun son-eul not-ji an-eul-ge oh
Can’t break my faith
No matter how painful the trial
I won’t release your hand, oh
kwang-ya-ui geot tam-nae-ji mal-a
yak-sok-i kkae-ji-myeon
mo-du geot-jab-ul su eops-ge dwae
Don’t covet what belongs to the Kwangya
If the promise shatters
Everything collapses
neol pa-goe-ha-go mal geo-ya
(we want it)
come on
show me the way to KOSMO yeah
I’ll tear you down
(We want it)
Come on
Show me the way to Kosmo, yeah
AESPA, ae-reul bun-ri-si-kyeo-not-gil won-hae geu-rae
jung-sim-eul il-ko mok-so-ri-do il-ko bi-nan-bat-go
sa-ram-deul-gwa meol-eo-ji-neun chak-gak sok-e
Meant to split aespa and ae apart
Losing center, losing voices, receiving criticism
In the illusion of growing distant from people
AESPA-ui NEXT LEVEL P.O.S-reul yeol-eo-bwa
i-geon REAL WORLD kkae-eo-nat-seo
we against the villain
what’s the name?
BLACK MAMBA
Open the POS of aespa’s next level
This is the real world, we woke up
We against the villain
What’s the name?
Black Mamba
geu bit-eun ne-gen FIRE
(too hot too hot)
nan gung-geum-hae mi-chi-get-seo
i-da-eum-e pyeol-chil STORY
huh
The light becomes fire
(Too hot too hot)
I’m desperate to know
What story unfolds next
Huh
jeo neo-meo-ui mun-eul yeol-eo
NEXT LEVEL
neol gyeol-guk-en nae-ga bu-syeo
NEXT LEVEL
KOSMO-e da-eul ttae-kka-ji
NEXT LEVEL
je-kkyeo-ra je-kkyeo-ra je-kkyeo-ra
I open the door beyond the line
Next level
Breaking through in the end
Next level
Until I reach Kosmo
Next level
Pushing forward without hesitation
deo gang-hae-jyeo ja-yu-rop-ge
NEXT LEVEL
nan kwang-ya-ui nae-ga a-nya
NEXT LEVEL
ya-su gat-eun na-reul neu-kkyeo
NEXT LEVEL
je-kkyeo-ra je-kkyeo-ra je-kkyeo-ra
huh
Stronger and freer
Next level
I’m no longer the me of the Kwangya
Next level
Feel the wild edge of who I’ve become
Next level
Pushing forward without hesitation
Huh
The lyrics describe pushing beyond limits and refusing to let go, even when faced with overwhelming threats and uncertainty. The speaker moves forward through conflict and temptation, holding onto belief and connection as a source of strength. The repeated rise to a “next level” reflects growth through hardship, where fear, doubt, and despair are confronted head-on. By opening doors beyond the known world, the song portrays resilience, self-awakening, and the determination to protect bonds while evolving into a stronger self.
