aespa Brings Eartha Kitt Back to Christmas With "Santa Baby"

K-pop girl group aespa has released a new version of the Christmas classic "Santa Baby," featuring the original vocals of late American singer Eartha Kitt.

The collaboration single was released on music platforms at midnight KST on Nov. 13. It combines Kitt's original vocal recording from 1953 with new vocals from aespa.

The project was created ahead of the 100th anniversary of Kitt's birth on Jan. 17, 2027. Kitt, an American singer and actress who died in 2008, is best known for songs including "Santa Baby."

Primary Wave Music, the song's music publisher, handled the final audio mixing, cover image and artwork video. SM Entertainment supported the project through aespa's participation.

"We're happy to be part of a song that has been loved for so long," aespa said. "All four of us have enjoyed listening to Eartha Kitt's original version every holiday season, and it felt special to add our own style to it."

The group added, "We hope this song brings warmth and joy to people's holidays."

Kitt's daughter, Kitt Shapiro, also welcomed the collaboration.

"My mother believed in connecting generations and cultures through music," she said. "I think she would have been very happy to know that her voice was being paired with talented artists like aespa."

Meanwhile, aespa has recently drawn attention overseas with its Japanese-language song "KISS N TELL," released in July.

A scene near the end of the music video, showing the members dancing as fireworks and confetti fill the background, has spread online as a meme. Social media users have shared the clip to celebrate victories and other happy moments.

The song has gained attention beyond the K-pop fandom as the meme continues to circulate.

aespa is also scheduled to release a remix of "KISS N TELL" on Nov. 20. The new version was produced by ☆Taku Takahashi, a member of the Japanese music group m-flo.