Despite swirling rumors, South Korean girl group, aespa, confirms that they are going ahead with their planned performance at Japan's annual year-end music show tradition, the Red-White Singing Contest ("Kōhaku Uta Gassen") on national broadcaster NHK. Long regarded as the pinnacle of Japanese television entertainment, the Red-White show's invitation is a testament to aespa's surging popularity not only in South Korea, but also in Japan and across the globe.

In Japan, the Red-White Singing Contest is considered a prestigious year-end event, featuring top music stars split into two teams (Red for women and White for men) to celebrate the year in music. Participation in the event is highly regarded and an indicator of a performer's success in the Japanese industry. Therefore, aespa's upcoming performance is drawing a lot of attention and cheers from the public.

In the U.S or EU, the equivalent might be the annual Grammy Awards or Eurovision Song Contest, where top artists gather for a night of music and recognition. However, unlike the head-to-head competition format unique to the Red-White show, these events focus more on individual awards.