Hot Mess (Aespa song)

"Hot Mess"
Digital and "Hot Mess" version cover
Single by Aespa
Language	Japanese English
B-side	"Sun and Moon" "Zoom Zoom"
Released	July 3, 2024 (2024-07-03)
Genre	Dance
Length	3:12
Label	SM Warner Japan
Composer(s)	Kenzie Moonshine Moa "Cazzi Opeia" Carlebecker Ellen Berg
Lyricist(s)	H.Toyosaki
Aespa singles chronology
"Armageddon" (2024) "Hot Mess" (2024) "Whiplash" (2024)
Music video
"Hot Mess" on YouTube

"Hot Mess" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Aespa for their Japanese debut maxi single of the same name. It was released as a CD single by SM Entertainment and Warner Music Japan on July 3, 2024.

Background and release

On June 3, 2024, SM Entertainment announced that Aespa would be making their Japanese debut with the maxi single titled "Hot Mess" on July 3.[1] The maxi single features three tracks including "Hot Mess".[2] The song was released alongside its music video and the maxi single on July 3.[3]

Composition

"Hot Mess" was written by H.Toyosaki, composed and arranged by Kenzie and Moonshine, with Moa "Cazzi Opeia" Carlebecker and Ellen Berg participating in the composition.[4] It was described as a "high-energy" dance song featuring "distinctive saxophone rhythm" with lyrics "containing a message of independence".[5][6]

Track listing

Track listing for "Hot Mess"

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Arrangement	Length
1.	"Hot Mess"	H.Toyosaki	Kenzie Moonshine Moa "Cazzi Opeia" Carlebecker Ellen Berg	Kenzie Moonshine	3:12
2.	"Sun and Moon"	Kanata Okajima Jamil Kazmi Soma Genda Ereca	Soma Genda Dirty Orange Ereca	Dirty Orange Soma Genda	3:20
3.	"Zoom Zoom"	Jamesy Minimal Yui Mugino Soma Genda	Soma Genda Dirty Orange Yui Mugino	Dirty Orange Soma Genda	3:13
Total length:					9:45

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the single's liner notes.[7]

Studio

• SM Wavelet Studio – recording, digital editing
• Doobdoob Studio – recording
• Klang Studio – mixing
• Sterling Sound – mastering

Personnel

• Aespa – vocals
• H.Toyosaki – lyrics
• Kenzie – composition, arrangement
• Moonshine – composition, arrangement
• Moa "Cazzi Opeia" Carlebecker – composition
• Ellen Berg – composition
• No2zcat – vocal directing
• Kwon Ae-jin – background vocals
• Kang Eun-ji – recording, digital editing
• Eugene Kwon – recording
• Gu Jong-pil – mixing
• Chris Gehringer – mastering

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "Hot Mess" Chart (2024) Peak position Japan (Japan Hot 100)[8] 6 Japan (Oricon)[9] 2 Japan Combined Singles (Oricon)[10] 2 South Korea Download (Circle)[11] 103

Monthly charts Monthly chart performance for "Hot Mess" Chart (2024) Position Japan (Oricon)[12] 9 Year-end charts Year-end chart performance for "Hot Mess" Chart (2024) Position Japan Top Singles Sales (Billboard Japan)[13] 54 Japan (Oricon)[14] 56

Certifications

Certifications for "Hot Mess"

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[15]	Gold	100,000^^
^^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release history for "Hot Mess"

Region	Date	Format	Label
Japan	July 3, 2024	CD	SM Warner Japan
Various		Digital download streaming

References

1. Kim, Na-yul (June 3, 2024). 에스파, 7월 3일 日 전격 데뷔..타이틀곡은 'Hot Mess' [Aespa makes surprise debut in Japan on July 3rd..Title song is 'Hot Mess'] (in Korean). Herald Pop. Archived from the original on June 3, 2024. Retrieved July 8, 2024 – via Naver.
2. Aespa、日本デビューシングル『Hot Mess』の詳細発表 [Aespa announces details of Japanese debut single "Hot Mess"]. Billboard Japan (in Japanese). June 3, 2024. Archived from the original on June 4, 2024. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
3. Aespa、日本への想いを込めた「Hot Mess」MV公開 [Aespa releases "Hot Mess" MV with feelings for Japan]. Billboard Japan (in Japanese). July 3, 2024. Archived from the original on July 4, 2024. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
4. "Hot Mess" (in Korean). Warner Music Japan. SM Entertainment. Retrieved July 8, 2024 – via Melon.
5. Shim, Sun-ah (June 3, 2024). "Aespa to make Japanese debut next month". Yonhap News Agency. Archived from the original on June 3, 2024. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
6. Kurp, Josh (July 3, 2024). "Aespa Make A Memorable Japanese Debut In The Colorful 'Hot Mess' Video". Uproxx. Archived from the original on July 4, 2024. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
7. Aespa (2024). Hot Mess (photobook). Japan: SM Entertainment, Warner Japan. Credits.
8. "Billboard Japan Hot 100 – Week of July 10, 2024". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved July 10, 2024.
9. Oricon Weekly Single Ranking – 2024-07-15 Oricon News. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
10. "Oricon Top 50 Combined Singles: 2024-07-15" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on July 11, 2024. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
11. "Download Chart – 2024 Weeks 27". Circle Chart (in Korean). July 7–13, 2024. Archived from the original on July 11, 2024. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
12. "Oricon Top 50 Singles: 2024-07" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on August 14, 2024. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
13. "Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales – 2024 Year-End". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved December 20, 2024.
14. "Oricon Top 100 Singles: 2024". Oricon. Archived from the original on December 19, 2024. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
15. "Japanese single certifications – Aespa – Hot Mess" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved August 9, 2024. Select 2024年7月 on the drop-down menu