aespa have released their own version of the classic Christmas song “Santa Baby,” reinterpreting Eartha Kitt’s 1953 original.

SM Entertainment announced the release only hours before it was available on streaming services, surprising fans. The song came out on November 13 under both aespa and Eartha Kitt in name. Its album cover, too, refers to the original, taking a photograph of Eartha Kitt and shaping her skirt into the “Santa Baby” title using aespa’s signature bubble font.

Eartha Kitt was an American singer-songwriter and actress who rose to fame due to her distinct voice. She saw international success with multiple recordings but her most enduring has been the jazz Christmas carol “Santa Baby,” which was released mid-way through her career in 1953. The song is intentionally tongue-in-cheek, lyrics describing an elaborate Christmas list as she sings to Santa Claus.

aespa’s rendition has been released in celebration of the 100 year anniversary of Kitt’s birth, with the blessing of her daughter Kitt Shapiro. It retains all of the original’s lyrics, but the vocals of each member of aespa shift the song towards a more varied tone. There are additional layered backing vocals, and each section allows aespa to showcase their different pitches, turning the song from a solo piece to a group collaboration.

"We're delighted to be part of a song that has been loved for so many years," aespa said in a press release. "It felt special to put our own spin on Kitt's original version, which all four of us have enjoyed listening to. We hope this song brings warmth and joy to many people during the holiday season."

Every year, across November and December, K-pop artists bring out seasonal Christmas and winter-themed songs. Many are originals, though there are also numerous covers released on YouTube and occasionally on streaming services. aespa last released one three years ago, bringing out a rendition of “Jingle Bell Rock” by Bobby Helms in 2023.

In 2026, they’re kicking off the period with a second officially released Christmas remake, as one of the first K-pop artists to do so this year. They have had a very seasonal year overall, coming out with the bright, summer-themed dance track “Lemonade” in May and adding to SM Entertainment’s company-wide summer roster.

Coincidentally, aespa’s “Santa Baby” has also been released only days after Seoul saw its first snowfall of the season, prompting EXO’s iconic single “The First Snow” to rise to number 145 on the MelOn Daily Chart. Expect to find the song flooding social media in the coming weeks, alongside other new K-pop Christmas songs.

aespa’s “Santa Baby” is available to stream and download now, in preparation for the holidays.