"WDA (Whole Different Animal)" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Aespa, featuring South Korean rapper and singer-songwriter G-Dragon, for their second studio album Lemonade. It was released by SM Entertainment on May 11, 2026, as the lead single from the album. It charted at number 12 on the Circle Chart.
Background and release On April 20, 2026, SM Entertainment announced that Aespa would be releasing their second studio album titled Lemonade on May 29. On May 4, it was announced that "WDA (Whole Different Animal)" would be pre-released on May 11. On May 8, the music video teaser was released. The song was released alongside its music video on May 11.
Composition "WDA (Whole Different Animal)" was written by Jvde of Galactika and G-Dragon, composed by Dem Jointz, Ryan S. Jhun, Varick "Smitty" Smith, and G-Dragon, and arranged by Dem Jointz and Ryan S. Jhun. It is a hip-hop-based dance song characterized by "synth bass and heavy hook" with lyrics about "capturing the growth of Aespa".
Music video The music video portrays a world where the boundary between reality and the digital realm has become increasingly blurred, making it impossible to prove what is "real." In this world, beings that resemble Aespa but are not them appear, creating confusion and conflict. Amid this chaos, Aespa ultimately break through the fracture ("Complaexity") and reaffirm their own existence.
Promotion Prior to the release of "WDA (Whole Different Animal)", on May 11, 2026, Aespa held a live event called "WDA Countdown Live" on YouTube and TikTok, aimed at introducing the song. They subsequently performed the song at four music programs: Mnet's M Countdown on May 14, KBS's Music Bank on May 15, MBC's Show! Music Core on May 16, and SBS's Inkigayo on May 17.
Critical reception
Son Min-hyun of IZM gave the song two out of five stars, writing that the song's "internal structure" was "loose" despite the significance of G-Dragon's collaboration. He argued that G-Dragon's contribution was limited to repetition and a brief transition, lacking the distinctive presence that had strengthened his previous featured appearances. Son further criticized the track's sharp electronic effects and "metallic" sound for reducing its identity to a promotional slogan, while finding its closing humming section indistinct.
Accolades + Music program awards for "WDA (Whole Different Animal)" Program Date Music Bank June 5, 2026
Credits and personnel Credits adapted from the album's liner notes.
Studio SM Yellow Tail Studio – recording, digital editing, engineered for mix SM Wavelet Studio – recording SM Aube Studio – recording Vibe Music Studio 606 – recording SM Blue Cup Studio – digital editing, mixing 821 Sound – mastering
Personnel SM Entertainment – executive producer Aespa – vocals, background vocals G-Dragon – vocals, lyrics, composition, background vocals Jvde (Galactika) – lyrics Dwayne Abernathy Jr. Dem Jointz – composition, arrangement, background vocals Ryan S. Jhun – composition, arrangement Varick "Smitty" Smith – composition Don Mills – vocal directing Joowon – vocal directing Noh Min-ji – recording, digital editing, engineered for mix Kang Eun-ji – recording Kim Hyo-joon – recording Jeong Mo-yeon – recording Jung Eui-seok – digital editing, mixing Kwon Nam-woo – mastering
Charts
Weekly charts + Weekly chart performance for "WDA (Whole Different Animal)" Chart (2026) Peakposition Hong Kong (Billboard) 15 Japan Hot 100 (Billboard) 56 New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ) 15 Singapore (RIAS) 27 South Korea (Circle) 12 Taiwan (Billboard) 4 Vietnam Hot 100 (Billboard) 59
Monthly charts + Monthly chart performance for "WDA (Whole Different Animal)" Chart (2026) Position South Korea (Circle) 16
Release history + Release history for "WDA (Whole Different Animal)" Region Date Format Label Various May 11, 2026
References