aespa WDA G-DRAGON Feature Leads Pre-Release for LEMONADE

aespa is scheduled to issue “WDA (Whole Different Animal)” at 6 p.m. KST on May 11, 2026, as a pre-release single from the group’s second full-length album “LEMONADE.” The aespa WDA rollout gained a sharper focus after reports confirmed G-DRAGON’s participation as a featured artist, with the rapper also making his own rap parts for the track.¹

SM Entertainment first announced the single on May 4, confirming the release time, the full title “WDA (Whole Different Animal),” and its place in the lead-up to “LEMONADE.” The agency also said the music video would open at the same time through the SMTOWN YouTube channel.²

aespa WDA G-DRAGON Feature Confirmed

aespa WDA G-DRAGON LEMONADE pre-release studio concept

The key update in the release campaign is G-DRAGON’s appearance on “WDA.” SBS News reported on May 8 that he joined the song as a featured artist and personally worked on the rap sections, adding a prominent outside voice to aespa’s pre-release track.³

Ilgan Sports also reported, citing SM Entertainment, that G-DRAGON participated both as a featured artist and in rap making. The same report noted prior links between the artists, including Karina’s appearance in G-DRAGON’s “Too Bad” music video and aespa’s appearance on his music variety program “Good Day.”⁴

Those earlier connections give the new collaboration a clear context, but the confirmed release details remain centered on “WDA” as the first public step in the “LEMONADE” album cycle. The song is not presented as a standalone project outside the album plan; it is part of aespa’s staged return with a full-length release scheduled later in the month.

Release Timing and Music Video Plan

“WDA (Whole Different Animal)” is set for release through online music platforms at 6 p.m. KST on May 11, 2026. StarNews reported on release day that the track would arrive through digital platforms at that time and identified it as a collaboration featuring G-DRAGON.¹

Multiple May 4 reports carried the same timing. Korea JoongAng Daily reported that the single and its music video would be released at 6 p.m. on May 11, citing SM Entertainment. The report also said aespa’s second full-length album “Lemonade” is scheduled for May 29 and will include 10 tracks, including the pre-release single.⁵

Aju Press similarly reported that “Whole Different Animal” would arrive on major streaming platforms at 6 p.m. KST and that the music video would premiere simultaneously on SMTOWN’s YouTube channel.⁶ The repeated timing across official and media sources establishes the release as a coordinated digital and video launch rather than a staggered rollout.

The music video has also been described as part of aespa’s established visual framework. StarNews reported that the video depicts aespa confronting blurred boundaries between reality and the digital world.¹ That description keeps the release within the group’s familiar conceptual space while linking the single to the broader presentation of the album.

Sound and Album Rollout

SBS News described “WDA (Whole Different Animal)” as a hip-hop-based dance song built around grand synth bass and a heavy hook.³ The available descriptions do not provide full lyrics, production credits beyond the cited rap participation, or a complete list of contributors. What is confirmed is the song’s role as the pre-release track for “LEMONADE,” with G-DRAGON’s feature forming the central collaboration point.

SM Entertainment’s May 4 announcement positioned “WDA” as the advance single from aespa’s second full-length album “LEMONADE.” The same announcement said the album would contain 10 tracks and arrive at 1 p.m. KST on May 29.² Korea JoongAng Daily also reported the May 29 album date and the 10-track count, naming the pre-release single as part of the album package.⁵

The timeline gives aespa an 18-day window between the release of “WDA” on May 11 and the full “LEMONADE” album release on May 29. The sources do not provide a full tracklist, additional featured artists, or further promotional schedules beyond the confirmed single, music video, and album date.

The confirmed facts place “WDA (Whole Different Animal)” as a tightly defined pre-release: a May 11 digital single and music video, a G-DRAGON feature with rap making, and a direct lead-in to aespa’s 10-track second full-length album “LEMONADE” on May 29. With the release centered on both the collaboration and the album campaign, the song serves as the first major public marker for aespa’s next full-length project.