Drama (Aespa song)

2023 single by Aespa

"Drama"

Sped up cover

Single by Aespa
from the EP  Drama
Language| Korean
Released| November 10, 2023 (2023-11-10)
Genre|

* Hip hop
* dance

Length| 3:35
Label|

* SM
* Kakao
* Warner

Composer(s)|

* No Identity
* Waker (153/Joombas)
* Ejae
* Charlotte Wilson

Lyricist(s)|

* Bang Hye-hyun (JamFactory)
* Ellie Suh (153/Joombas)

Producer(s)| No Identity
Aespa singles chronology
| "Zoom Zoom"
(2023)  | "Drama"
(2023)  | "Regret of the Times"
(2024)

|
|

Music video
"Drama" on YouTube

"Drama" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Aespa for their fourth extended play of the same name. It was released as the EP's lead single by SM Entertainment on November 10, 2023.

## Background and release

[edit]

On October 10, SM Entertainment announced that the group would be releasing their fourth extended play titled Drama on November 10. An introduction teaser video was also released on the same day.[1] On November 3, the highlight medley teaser video was released,[2] followed by the music video teaser on November 9.[3] The song was released alongside its music video and the extended play on November 10.[4]

## Composition

[edit]

"Drama" was written by Bang Hye-hyun of JamFactory, and Ellie Suh of 153/Joombas, while the composition, arrangement and music production were handled by No Identity, with Waker of 153/Joombas, Ejae, and Charlotte Wilson participating in the composition.[5] Described as a hip-hop and dance track, the song is characterized by "an aggressive drum sound and sophisticated synth bass", and its lyrics convey a theme of having "confident attitude that every story begins with Aespa".[6]

## Commercial performance

[edit]

"Drama" debuted at number 90 on South Korea's Circle Digital Chart in the chart issue dated November 5–11, 2023,[7] ascending to number four in the following week.[8] In Japan, the song debuted at number 34 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 in the chart issue dated November 22, 2023.[9] On the Oricon Combined Singles Chart, the song debuted at number 36 in the chart issue dated November 27, 2023.[10]

In Singapore, the song debuted at number seven on the RIAS Top Streaming Chart, and number four on the RIAS Top Regional Chart in the chart issue dated November 10–16, 2023.[11] It also debuted at number eight on the Billboard Singapore Songs in the chart issue dated November 25, 2023.[12] In Hong Kong, the song debuted at number four on the Billboard Hong Kong Songs in the chart issue dated November 25, 2023.[13] In Indonesia, the song debuted at number 15 on the Billboard Indonesia Songs in the chart issue dated November 25, 2023.[14] In Malaysia, the song debuted at number seven on the Billboard Malaysia Songs in the chart issue dated November 25, 2023.[15] It also debuted at number four on the RIM Top 20 Most Streamed International Singles Chart in the chart issue dated November 10–16, 2023.[16] In Taiwan, the song debuted at number three on the Billboard Taiwan Songs in the chart issue dated November 25, 2023.[17]

In the United States, the song debuted at number eight on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales in the chart issue dated November 25, 2023.[18] In Australia, the song debuted at number ten on the ARIA Top 20 Hitseekers Singles Chart in the chart issue dated September 5, 2022.[19] In New Zealand, the song debuted at number 15 on the RMNZ Hot Singles in the chart issue dated November 20, 2023.[20] Globally, the song debuted at number 38 on the Billboard Global 200 in the chart issue dated November 25, 2023.[21] It also debuted at number 21 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. in the chart issue dated November 25, 2023.[22]

## Music video

[edit]

The music video was released alongside the song by SM Entertainment on November 10, 2023.[4] The music video described as "movie-like" with "thrilling action sequences" depicts the group's journey of "returning back to Kwangya", featuring "Winter and Giselle playing the main characters [that] unfolds under a solid story[line]" with scenes transitioning from scenes of "Winter riding a motorcycle" and "Karina performing martial arts with a kendo".[23][24]

## Promotion

[edit]

Prior to the release of Drama, on November 10, 2023, Aespa held a live event called "Aespa Drama Countdown Live" on YouTube, TikTok, Weverse, and Idol Plus, aimed at introducing the album and its tracks, including "Drama", and connecting with their fanbase.[25] The group subsequently performed on three music programs in the first week of promotion: KBS's Music Bank on November 10,[26] MBC's Show! Music Core on November 11,[27] and SBS's Inkigayo on November 12.[28] On the second and final week of promotion, they performed on four music programs: Mnet's M Countdown on November 16,[29] Music Bank on November 17,[30] Show! Music Core on November 18,[31] and Inkigayo on November 19.[32]

## Accolades

[edit]

On South Korea music programs, "Drama" achieved a triple crown on January 14 episode of Inkigayo in 2024.[33]

Music program awards for "Drama"  Program  | Date  | Ref.

|
|

Inkigayo | November 26, 2023  | [34]
January 7, 2024  | [35]
January 14, 2024  | [33]

## Track listing

[edit]

* Digital download / streaming – sped up version

1. "Drama" (sped up version) – 3:04
2. "Drama" – 3:34

## Credits

[edit]

Credits adapted from album's liner notes.[36]

Studio

* SM Yellow Tail Studio – recording, digital editing, engineered for mix
* SM Big Shot Studio – recording
* SM SSAM Studio – recording
* SM Blue Ocean Studio – mixing
* 821 Sound – mastering

Personnel

* SM Entertainment – executive producer
* Aespa – vocals, background vocals
* Bang Hye-hyun (JamFactory) – lyrics
* Ellie Suh (153/Joombas) – lyrics
* No Identity – producer, composition, arrangement, bass, keyboards, synthesizer, drum programming
* Waker (153/Joombas) – composition, keyboards
* Ejae – composition, background vocals
* Charlotte Wilson – composition
* Deez – vocal directing
* Noh Min-ji – recording, digital editing, engineered for mix
* Lee Min-kyu – recording
* Kang Eun-ji – recording
* Kang Sun-young – digital editing
* Kim Cheol-sun – mixing
* Kwon Nam-woo – mastering

## Charts

[edit]

### Weekly charts

[edit]

Weekly chart performance for "Drama"  | Chart (2023)  | Peak
position

|

Australia Hitseekers (ARIA)[19] | 10
Global 200 (Billboard)[21] | 38
Hong Kong (Billboard)[13] | 4
Indonesia (ASIRI)[37] | 19
Indonesia (Billboard)[14] | 15
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[9] | 34
Japan Combined Singles (Oricon)[10] | 36
Malaysia (Billboard)[15] | 7
Malaysia International (RIM)[16] | 4
Netherlands (Global Top 40)[38] | 33
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[20] | 15
Singapore (RIAS)[11] | 7
South Korea (Circle)[39] | 2
Taiwan (Billboard)[17] | 3
UK Video Streaming (OCC)[40] | 51
US World Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[18] | 8
Vietnam (Vietnam Hot 100)[41] | 13

### Monthly charts

[edit]

Monthly chart performance for "Drama"  | Chart (2023)  | Position

|

South Korea (Circle)[42] | 14

### Year-end charts

[edit]

Year-end chart performance for "Drama"  Chart (2023)  | Position

|

South Korea (Circle)[43] | 198
Chart (2024)  | Position
Global Excl. US (Billboard)[44] | 158
South Korea (Circle)[45] | 20

## Certifications

[edit]

Certifications for "Drama"  Region  | Certification | Certified units/sales

|
|

Streaming
Japan (RIAJ)[46] | Platinum  | 100,000,000†

† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

## Release history

[edit]

Release history for "Drama"  Region  | Date  | Format  | Version  | Label

|
|
|
|

Various  | November 10, 2023  |

* Digital download
* streaming

| Original  |

* SM
* Kakao
* Warner

December 15, 2023  | Sped up

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Park, Soo-in (October 11, 2023). "에스파 11월10일 'Drama'로 컴백, 신드롬 또 일으키나" [Aespa's comeback with 'Drama' on November 10th, will it cause another syndrome?] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on October 22, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023 - via Naver.
2. ^ Cho, Hye-jin (November 3, 2023). "'컴백 D-7' 에스파, 트랙 포스터 속 '하이라이트 메들리' 이목" ['Comeback D-7' Aespa, attention is drawn to the 'highlight medley' in the track poster] (in Korean). X-ports News. Archived from the original on November 6, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023 - via Naver.
3. ^ Kim, Se-ah (November 9, 2023). "에스파, 한 편의 'Drama' 같은 티저 공개" [Aespa releases teaser like a 'Drama'] (in Korean). Ten Asia. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023 - via Naver.
4. ^ a b Lee, Da-gyeom (November 10, 2023). "새로운 '드라마 퀸' 탄생...에스파, 오늘(10일) '드라마' 컴백" [A new 'drama queen' is born...Aespa makes a 'drama' comeback today (10th)] (in Korean). Maeil Business Newspaper. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023 - via Naver.
5. ^ "Drama" (in Korean). Kakao Entertainment. SM Entertainment. November 10, 2023. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023 - via Melon.
6. ^ Kim, Na-yul (November 10, 2023). "[팝's신곡]"내가 깨트릴 모든 Trauma"..에스파, 확장된 광야 세계관 'Drama'" [[Pop's new song] "All the trauma I will break"..Aespa's expanded wilderness worldview 'Drama'] (in Korean). Herald Pop. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023 - via Naver.
7. ^ "Circle Digital Chart – Week 45 of 2023". Circle Chart (in Korean). November 5–11, 2023. Archived from the original on November 19, 2023. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
8. ^ "Circle Digital Chart – Week 46 of 2023". Circle Chart (in Korean). November 12–18, 2023. Archived from the original on November 23, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
9. ^ a b "Billboard Japan Hot 100 – Week of November 22, 2023". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). November 22, 2023. Archived from the original on November 22, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
10. ^ a b "週間 合算シングルランキング – 2023年11月27日付" [Oricon Weekly Combined Singles Ranking – November 27, 2023]. Oricon (in Japanese). November 13–19, 2023. Archived from the original on November 24, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
11. ^ a b "RIAS Top Charts – Week 46 (November 10–16, 2023)". Recording Industry Association Singapore. November 10–16, 2023. Archived from the original on November 23, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
12. ^ "Billboard Singapore Songs – Week of November 25, 2023". Billboard. November 19–25, 2023. Archived from the original on November 23, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
13. ^ a b "Billboard Hong Kong Songs – Week of November 25, 2023". Billboard. November 19–25, 2023. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
14. ^ a b "Billboard Indonesia Songs – Week of November 25, 2023". Billboard. November 19–25, 2023. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
15. ^ a b "Billboard Malaysia Songs – Week of November 25, 2023". Billboard. November 19–25, 2023. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
16. ^ a b "Top 20 Most Streamed International Singles In Malaysia". Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. November 10–16, 2023. Retrieved November 25, 2023 - via Facebook.
17. ^ a b "Billboard Taiwan Songs – Week of November 25, 2023". Billboard. November 19–25, 2023. Archived from the original on November 23, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
18. ^ a b "Billboard World Digital Songs Sales – Week of November 25, 2023". Billboard. November 19–25, 2023. Archived from the original on November 23, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
19. ^ a b "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 20 November 2023". The ARIA Report. No. 1759\. Australian Recording Industry Association. November 20, 2023. p. 25.
20. ^ a b "Hot 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. November 20, 2023. Archived from the original on November 17, 2023. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
21. ^ a b "Billboard Global 200 – Week of November 25, 2023". Billboard. November 19–25, 2023. Archived from the original on November 22, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
22. ^ "Billboard Global Excl. US – Week of November 25, 2023". Billboard. November 19–25, 2023. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
23. ^ Yeo, Gladys (November 10, 2023). "Aespa bring the 'Drama' in the music video for their new single". NME. Archived from the original on November 7, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
24. ^ Jang, In-young (November 10, 2023). ""걸스 인 더 백"...에스파의 자신감, '쇠맛' 계보 이을 '드라마' [쥬크박스]" ["Girls in the Bag"...Aespa's confidence, 'drama' to follow the 'taste of iron' lineage [Jukebox]] (in Korean). X-ports News. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023 - via Naver.
25. ^ Kim, Na-yul (November 6, 2023). "에스파 윈터X지젤, 'Drama'서 수준급 연기..10일 컴백" [Aespa Winter X Giselle, Top-notch acting in 'Drama'..comeback on the 10th] (in Korean). Herald Pop. Archived from the original on November 6, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023 - via Naver.
26. ^ Han, Hae-seon (November 10, 2023). "BTS 정국, 태민 제치고 '뮤뱅' 1위..에스파·스키즈·제베원 컴백[종합]" [BTS Jungkook beats Taemin to take first place in 'Music Bank'..Aespa, Stray Kids, Zerobaseone comeback [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). MT Star News. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023 - via Naver.
27. ^ Yeon, Hwi-seon (November 11, 2023). "태민 '음중' 1위, 이래서 '탬또롤' 하는구나...영훈X이정하 새MC 신고식 합격점 [종합]" [Taemin ranks 1st on 'Music Core', this is why they call him 'Taemddorol'...Younghoon X Lee Jeong-ha's new MC new ceremony passing score [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). Osen. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023. Retrieved November 11, 2023 - via Naver.
28. ^ Ha, Ji-won (November 12, 2023). "아이브 출연 없이도 1위, 에스파→스트레이 키즈 화려한 컴백 (인기가요)[종합]" [Ranked 1st even without Ive's appearance, Aespa → Stray Kids' brilliant comeback (Inkigayo) [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on November 12, 2023. Retrieved November 12, 2023 - via Naver.
29. ^ Park, Yun-jin (November 16, 2023). "BTS 정국, '엠카' 1위 트로피...MC 미연 "따뜻했던 둥지 떠난다" 아쉬운 작별 [종합]" [BTS Jungkook, 'M Countdown' 1st place trophy...MC Miyeon "I'm leaving my warm nest" A sad farewell [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). My Daily. Archived from the original on November 17, 2023. Retrieved November 17, 2023 - via Naver.
30. ^ Lee, Seung-hoon (November 17, 2023). '뮤직뱅크' 스트레이 키즈, 첫눈과 함께 1위..엔하이픈→레드벨벳 컴백 [종합] ['Music Bank' Stray Kids, 1st place with first appearance..Enhypen → Red Velvet comeback [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). MT Star News. Archived from the original on November 17, 2023. Retrieved November 17, 2023 - via Naver.
31. ^ Kim, Na-yeon (November 18, 2023). "'음중' 스트레이 키즈, 아이브·정국 꺾고 1위 "스테이 덕분"[종합]" ['Music' Stray Kids beat Ive and Jungkook to take first place "Thanks to Stay" [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). MT Star News. Archived from the original on November 19, 2023. Retrieved November 19, 2023 - via Naver.
32. ^ Ji, Min-kyung (November 19, 2023). "'인기가요' 아이브, 활동 종료에도 1위..레드벨벳→엔하이픈 컴백 [종합]" ['Inkigayo' Ive, ranked 1st despite the end of activities..Red Velvet → Enhypen comeback [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). Osen. Archived from the original on November 19, 2023. Retrieved November 19, 2023 - via Naver.
33. ^ a b Kim, Na-yeon (January 14, 2024). 에스파 '드라마', '인기가요' 트리플 크라운..규현→ITZY 컴백 [종합] [Aespa 'Drama', 'Inkigayo' Triple Crown..Kyuhyun →ITZY Comeback [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). Star News. Retrieved January 14, 2024 - via Naver.
34. ^ Seon, Mi-kyung (November 26, 2023). '인기가요' 에스파, 방송 출연 없어도 1위..박진영⋅빅스 컴백[종합] ['Inkigayo' aespa ranks first even without appearing on the show..Park Jin Young ⋅ VIXX Comeback [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). Osen. Retrieved November 26, 2023 - via Naver.
35. ^ Ji, Min-kyung (January 7, 2024). ‘인기가요’ 에스파, 새해 첫 1위..동방신기→라이즈 컴백 [종합] ['Inkigayo' Aespa ranked first in the new year..TVXQ→Riize Comeback [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). Osen. Retrieved January 7, 2024 - via Naver.
36. ^ Aespa (2023). Drama (photobook). South Korea: SM Entertainment; Kakao Entertainment. Credits.
37. ^ "ASIRI Top 50 Mixed Chart minggu ke - 46 2023" [ASIRI TOP 50 Mixed Chart Week of 46, 2023.]. ASIRI. November 24, 2023. Retrieved November 7, 2024 - via Instagram.
38. ^ "Global Top 40-lijst van week 47, 2023" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
39. ^ "Digital Chart – Week 47 of 2023". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved November 30, 2023.
40. ^ "Official Video Streaming Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
41. ^ "Aespa Chart History (Billboard Vietnam Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
42. ^ "Digital Chart – November 2023". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved December 7, 2023.
43. ^ "Digital Chart 2023". Circle Chart. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
44. ^ "Billboard Global Excl. U.S. – Year-End 2024". Billboard. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
45. ^ "Digital Chart – 2024". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved January 10, 2025.
46. ^ "Japanese single streaming certifications – Aespa – Drama" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved July 31, 2025. Select 2025年6月 on the drop-down menu

* v
* t
* e

Aespa

* Karina
* Giselle
* Winter
* Ningning

Studio albums|

* Armageddon

Extended plays|

* Savage
* Girls
* My World
* Drama
* Whiplash

Single albums|

* Synk: Parallel Line
* Dirty Work

Singles|

* "Black Mamba"
* "Forever"
* "Next Level"
* "Savage"
* "Dreams Come True"
* "Life's Too Short"
* "Girls"
* "Welcome to My World"
* "Spicy"
* "Better Things"
* "Drama"
* "Supernova"
* "Armageddon"
* "Hot Mess"
* "Whiplash"
* "Dirty Work"

Other songs|

* "Illusion"
* "Hold on Tight"
* "Thirsty"
* "Beautiful Christmas"
* "Up"

Concert tours|

* Synk: Hyper Line
* Synk: Parallel Line
* Synk: Aexis Line

Filmography|

* Aespa's Synk Road

Related topics|

* SM Entertainment
* SM Town
* SM Rookies
* SM Culture Universe
* Naevis

* Discography
* Songs
* Awards and nominations
* Live performances
* Videography

* Category

*[Ref.]: References
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template