The network was forced to respond.
2 hours ago
Girl group aespa’s appearance at the 76th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen has been subjected to yet another controversy.
aespa | @aespa_official/Instagram
aespa took the stage at the event, which aired on December 31, 2025. Shortly after the broadcast, theories about the group’s stage time started circulating on social media, claiming it was deliberately linked to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. One of the most widely shared posts regarding this theory pointed out that in 1945, the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima at around 8:15 am, and the flash and explosion occurred at around 8:15:43. aespa apparently appeared during that exact time stamp on the Kohaku broadcast.
#aespa performing Whiplash at NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen pic.twitter.com/SDzMMbsB55
— aespa pics (@aespapic) December 31, 2025
Some netizens also theorized that the 8:15 time slot was intentional for a different reason. They argued that it was chosen to allude to August 15, the day Korea was liberated from Japan’s imperial rule.
These theories were further boosted by the already existing controversy surrounding aespa’s NingNing, where she was accused of mocking the atomic bombing of Japan. She faced massive pushback before this performance and ultimately had to sit it out due to health reasons.
aespa’s Ningning Triggers Mixed Reactions With Controversial Object In Her Room
The conspiracy theories regarding aespa’s stage timing gained such momentum online that NHK, the broadcaster of the event, had to come forward with a statement addressing them. NHK categorically denied the speculations, calling it false information.
Japan Broadcasting Corporation NHK has strongly denied any conspiracy theories suggesting a connection between the atomic bomb and the timing of aespa’s performance at 76th Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
“The speculation on social media is completely unfounded and false information, and we… pic.twitter.com/lPbBLMyMeU
— 윈터얼트 (@wntrult) January 12, 2026
Meanwhile, aespa’s performance at this event was heavily criticized in a recent survey. Read more here:
aespa Branded 2nd Worst Performers Following Controversial Appearance At “Kohaku Uta Gassen”