It eventually achieved several accolades by the end of 20, most notably both the Best K-Pop Song and Song of the Year at the 19th Korean Music Awards, making aespa the first SM idol girl group to win more than once within the awards, and the second girl group in the award's history to win the latter category, following fellow labelmate Girls' Generation's victory in 2010. The song is the group's first top-five hit in their native country, their second top-five entry on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart, and their second entry on the Billboard Global 200, making Aespa only the third South Korean girl group to appear on the global chart more than once. Upon its release, 'Next Level' received positive reviews from critics for its hip-hop production and the members' performance. The song is a continuation of the group's story from their debut single ' Black Mamba', telling their journey into the fictional Kwangya universe to search for the aforementioned 'evil'. Composed by Yoo Young-jin, Adam McInnis, Mario Marchetti, and Sophie Curtis, the track is described as a dance and hip hop song with an upbeat new jack swing bridge.
It was released digitally on May 17, 2021, by SM Entertainment. ' Next Level' is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Aespa.
