"Dirty Work" was released together with the single album of the same name in late June 2025. Ahead of the release, aespa put out a nearly 2-minute performance video for the song in collaboration with Apple, which was also clicked millions of times.
[Karina, Winter, Giselle]
World domination, I don't gotta say itWorld domination, I don't gotta say it
전엔 없던 돌연변이 같아No one like me, so I made my own lane, yeah
저주야, 난 다수로 볼 땐Rebel or die, they always hating
Set 'em on fire, 스스로 밝혀Set 'em on fire, show me your face, yeah
And I don't really care if you like me, like meAnd I don't really care if you like me, like me
I don't really wanna play nicely, nicelyI don't really wanna play nicely, nicely
오답을 고른 게 정답인 선택I got the answer, I'll take my chances
Open your eyes, come and bite meOpen your eyes, come and bite me
[Ningning, Karina]
Sharp teeth, bite firstSharp teeth, bite first
Real bad business, that's Dirty Work (Yeah)Real bad business, that's Dirty Work (Yeah)
Real bad business, that's Dirty WorkReal bad business, that's Dirty Work
Real bad business, that's Dirty WorkReal bad business, that's Dirty Work
Bold eyes, cold stareBold eyes, cold stare
Real bad business, that's Dirty WorkReal bad business, that's Dirty Work
Real bad business, that's Dirty Work (Yeah)Real bad business, that's Dirty Work (Yeah)
Real bad business, that's Dirty WorkReal bad business, that's Dirty Work
[All]
Work, work, work, work (Yeah)Work, work, work, work (Yeah)
Work, work, workWork, work, work
Real bad business, that's Dirty WorkReal bad business, that's Dirty Work
Real bad business, that's Dirty WorkReal bad business, that's Dirty Work
[Giselle, Ningning]
I'm not an it girl, more like a hit girlI'm not an it girl, more like a hit girl
Mafia ties going back to the old worldMafia ties going back to the old world
Fear in their eyes, I'm always watchingFear in their eyes, I'm always watching
Call me the reaper, I'm knock, knock, knockingCall me the reaper, I'm knock, knock, knocking
It's me, it's me, a little baddieIt's me, it's me, a little baddie
Just 'cause I'm pretty doesn't mean I don't do hard thingsJust 'cause I'm pretty doesn't mean I don't do hard things
Hard things, make me feel like a thunderHard things, make me feel like a thunder
Let me think 뭐를 하든 I will like it, like itLet me think, if it's me, I'm gonna like it, like it
[Winter, Giselle, Karina]
Sharp eyes, fierce lookSharp eyes, fierce look
Real bad business, that's Dirty Work (Yeah)Real bad business, that's Dirty Work (Yeah)
Real bad business, that's Dirty WorkReal bad business, that's Dirty Work
Real bad business, that's Dirty WorReal bad business, that's Dirty Work
kHold tight, get toughHold tight, get tough
Real bad business, that's Dirty WorkReal bad business, that's Dirty Work
Real bad business, that's Dirty Work (Yeah)Real bad business, that's Dirty Work (Yeah)
Real bad business, that's Dirty WorkReal bad business, that's Dirty Work
[All]
We don't see you as a threatWe don't see you as a threat
얄팍한 rule 따윈 한 겹의 glassWeak like the rules, so we shatter the glass
내 맘대로 해, 깨트려 내I do it best, break it, don't bend
쉽게 난 두 발로 그 위를 pass, YeahWith my two feet, I'ma easily pass, yeah
Kick up the dust, let 'em talk about itKick up the dust, let 'em talk about it
Crawl out the mud, let 'em know about itCrawl out the mud, let 'em know about it
번뇌를 깨우는 음률 속에Singing my song, I'ma scream the loudest
두 눈을 봐 well you already found itLook in my eyes, yeah, you already found it
[All]
Drop it low, low, low, low, low, lowDrop it low, low, low, low, low, low
Work it out, work it outWork it out, work it out
Drop it low, low, low, low, low, lowDrop it low, low, low, low, low, low
Work it out, work it outWork it out, work it out
Drop it low, low, low, low, low, lowDrop it low, low, low, low, low, low
Work it out, work it outWork it out, work it out
Drop it low, low, low, low, low, lowDrop it low, low, low, low, low, low
Work it out, work it out (Work it)Work it out, work it out (Work it)
[Karina, Winter]
Sharp teeth, bite firstSharp teeth, bite first
Real bad business, that's Dirty WorkReal bad business, that's Dirty Work
Real bad business, that's Dirty Work (Yeah)Real bad business, that's Dirty Work (Yeah)
Real bad business, that's Dirty Work (Yeah)Real bad business, that's Dirty Work (Yeah)
Bold eyes, cold stareBold eyes, cold stare
Real bad business, that's Dirty WorkReal bad business, that's Dirty Work
Real bad business, that's Dirty Work (Yeah)Real bad business, that's Dirty Work (Yeah)
Real bad business, that's Dirty WorkReal bad business, that's Dirty Work
[All]
Work (work), work (work), work (work), work (work)Work (work), work (work), work (work), work (work)
Work, work, workWork, work, work
Real bad business, that's Dirty WorkReal bad business, that's Dirty Work
Real bad business, that's Dirty WorkReal bad business, that's Dirty Work
Work, work, work, work (Yeah)Work, work, work, work (Yeah)
Work, work, workWork, work, work
Real bad business, that's Dirty WorkReal bad business, that's Dirty Work
Real bad business, that's Dirty WorkReal bad business, that's Dirty Work
About Dirty Work
Karina, Winter & co. come across as rebellious and proud in “Dirty Work”. They don’t care about criticism and go their own way, no matter how uncomfortable that is. In the lyrics they refer to themselves as, among other things, a “hit girl” and a “reaper” with “mafia ties”. aespa is ready to get the dirty work done and still make it all look cool!
The single album contains four different versions of the song: the original, a remix feat. Flo Milli, an English version, and an instrumental. “Dirty Work” received over a million pre-orders and topped the Korean Circle Charts right after its release!
