Play in this article ↓aespa Dirty Work: A Steel Mill, 225 Extras and a Tin-Case Album
- Category: Album & Song Guide
- Artist: aespa
KPOP NO1 Editorial · Sources checked October 22, 2026 · Expanded October 24, 2026
aespa’s sound has been called soemat, “the taste of metal,” for years. For Dirty Work, they took that literally. The music video was filmed at Hyundai Steel’s Dangjin steelworks, with heavy machinery and 225 extras. Even the album packaging was metal: a tin case that later won a Red Dot Design Award.
A single, not an album
SM announced Dirty Work on June 5, 2025 as a single, released on June 27 at 1 p.m. KST. The teaser clip showed molten steel pouring into the shape of the song’s logo. SM announcement
SM also looked back: in 2024, aespa’s Armageddon and Whiplash had swept grand prizes at award shows in Korea and abroad.
The song: a cooler soemat
According to SM, Dirty Work is a hip-hop dance song with an ear-catching synth bass and a cool vocal melody. The lyrics carry a self-determined message. SM says the vocals have a cool, chill vibe, different from aespa’s usual intensity. SM: the song
The choreography contrasts hard-hitting moves with a looser, sexier feel. It has a dance break shaped around each member’s style, and a final chorus where the members run with the music.
Teasers: shot on iPhone, tattoos and grillz
The first look at the dance came early. On June 9, aespa released a Dirty Work performance video made with Apple for its Shot on iPhone campaign. SM says it was filmed entirely on an iPhone 16 Pro, with 4K120 slow motion for the key parts. SM: Apple performance video
The member teasers followed. On June 16, WINTER and NINGNING appeared with tattoos and grillz. SM: WINTER and NINGNING On June 17, it was KARINA and GISELLE’s turn, posing as “Dirty Workers.” SM: KARINA and GISELLE
Four tracks, one guest
| # | Track |
|---|---|
| 1 | Dirty Work |
| 2 | Dirty Work (Feat. Flo Milli) |
| 3 | Dirty Work (English Ver.) |
| 4 | Dirty Work (Instrumental) |
Track list: aespa official Japan discography
The second version features Flo Milli, an American rapper. SM notes that she broke out on Instagram and TikTok with the 2018 single “Beef FloMix” and later reached the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100 with “Never Lose Me.” SM: Flo Milli
The steel mill video
SM says the music video was shot at Hyundai Steel’s Dangjin works. It used a wide storage yard, giant heavy machinery and 225 extras to show strength in numbers. In the video, the members play resistance fighters willing to do any “dirty work” for their comrades. SM: Hyundai Steel
Our take: For a group known for “the taste of metal,” filming in a steel mill is the most on-brand idea imaginable. Watch the video for the scale, then for the small moments between the members.
Remixes and a ring
- Remix EP (June 30, 2025): three DJs and producers remade the song. SM says RayRay added a cyberpunk sound and a big festival-style drop, Arkins kept the bouncy pluck sound and added a livelier rhythm, and ScreaM Records’ 2Spade used a motorcycle engine sound in the build-up. SM: remix EP
- Dirty Crew Ring Ver. (July 4, 2025): a limited version with a silver ring and a necklace chain. SM says it matches the bold accessories in the song’s concept and stands for the bond between aespa and MY, their fan club. SM: ring version
A design award
In April 2026, the Dirty Case Ver. of the single won a Red Dot Design Award in the product design category. SM explained the design: SM: Red Dot
- It brings aespa’s virtual, futuristic identity into the real world as a physical object.
- It uses blackletter type and a cross-shaped graphic built into the lettering.
- Its tin case is meant to be carried every day as an “artifact,” not thrown away.
It wasn’t aespa’s first design prize: SM notes that Savage (P.O.S. Ver.) won an iF Design Award in 2022.
How it did
On release day, SM reported pre-orders of about 1.01 million, putting aespa on track for a sixth straight million-seller. SM: pre-orders SM later listed Dirty Work among aespa’s eight million-sellers.
The release at a glance
| Format | Single, four tracks |
| Released | June 27, 2025, 1 p.m. KST |
| Guest | Flo Milli (featured version) |
| Video | Filmed at Hyundai Steel’s Dangjin works, 225 extras |
| Other versions | Remix EP (June 30), Dirty Crew Ring Ver. (July 4) |
| Award | Red Dot Design Award 2026 (Dirty Case Ver.) |
How to listen for the first time
- Watch the video. It’s the main event of this release.
- Play the original, then the Flo Milli version. Hear how the rap changes the song.
- Try the 2Spade remix. Listen for the engine in the build-up.
Where to go next
- Before this: Whiplash, the techno turn that came eight months earlier.
- After this: Rich Man, where aespa become a band.
- The first design award: Savage, the P.O.S. package that came first.
Sources
- SM Entertainment: Dirty Work announced (June 5, 2025)
- SM Entertainment: Apple performance video (June 9, 2025)
- SM Entertainment: Flo Milli feature (June 12, 2025)
- SM Entertainment: Hyundai Steel video (June 26, 2025)
- SM Entertainment: remix EP (June 30, 2025)
- SM Entertainment: Red Dot Design Award (April 16, 2026)
- aespa official Japan discography: Dirty Work
- SMTOWN: Dirty Work MV