Concerns raised over aespa’s Ningning performing at ‘Water Bomb Seoul’ with her impaired vision

On June 5 KST, ‘Water Bomb 2023 Seoul’ made a surprise lineup announcement, adding girl group aespa to its lineup which also consists of BTOB, Sunmi, Woo Won Jae, HyunA, Lee Young Ji, Jessi, Oh My Girl, etc. 

This year, the annual music festival will take place in Seoul on June 25. For the girls of aespa, it will be their first time performing at a ‘Water Bomb’ festival, and while some couldn’t contain their excitement at the chance to see aespa on the ‘Water Bomb’ stage, others expressed their concerns.

The concerns centered around aespa member Ningning, who previously confessed that the vision in her right eye is impaired. It’s known that Ningning underwent surgery for an infection known as Acanthamoeba keratitis during her trainee days, and her vision worsened due to its side effects. The infection, caused by a microscopic, free-living ameba called Acanthamoeba, is rare but often affects people who wear contacts in their daily lives. Acanthamoeba is commonly found in unfiltered water such as water in swimming pools or public baths. 

Traditionally during the ‘Water Bomb’ festival, artists and festival-goers are all doused with water from water buckets, cannons, guns, etc. In past years, some festival attendees were subject to criticism for pointing water guns and shooting water directly into the eyes of artists on stage, rendering them immobile. 

Some aespa fans are now expressing their concerns over Ningning with comments like, “Oh no, don’t go to ‘Water Bomb’ girls TT”, “At least give her protective goggles”, “I had no idea… I can’t believe how bright she is even though she lives with a condition like that”, “Who thought it was a good idea for aespa to go to ‘Water Bomb’??”, and more.