K-pop in ‘Money Heist: Korea’? aespa fans recognize Black Mamba’s Nairobi

After the success of the Spanish Netflix show “La Casa de Papel,” also known as “Money Heist,” and the rise of K-dramas around the world, the Korean adaptation of the crime drama was released. Starring Yunjin Kim (of “Lost”), Yoo Ji-tae (of Korean film renown), and Park Hae-soo (of “Squid Game” fame), “Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area” received a great deal of attention in both Asia and the West. Released on June 24th, these five episodes put a Korean spin on the much-lauded series. Even BTS and aespa fans took note of it.

Since K-pop has such an outsized role in the international perception of South Korean popular culture, it comes as no surprise that the opening sequence of “Money Heist: Korea” features one of the main characters, Tokyo, dancing to BTS’s “DNA.” Denver’s actor, Kim Ji-hoon, was well-received at SM Entertainment’s open auditions and was well-known by older fans as the actor who almost made it into Super Junior. Lee Joo-bin, who portrays Mi-sun, the Korean equivalent of Stockholm, nearly began her career as a member of the girl group Rainbow. Model and actress Jang Yoon-ju is playing Nairobi, but aespa fans recognise her as Black Mamba from the show.

One of the most original concepts and backstories for a debut comes courtesy of aespa, SM’s newest girl group. Both Kwangya and Black Mamba, the antagonist of their alternate reality, were shown. Aespa’s foe is the venomous black mamba. Initially revealed to be a large snake, further teasers have revealed its shapeshifting abilities. In the pilot episode of Karina, Jang Yoon-ju portrayed the human Black Mamba. The “Money Heist: Korea” actress and Karina wore crowns and gold clothing reminiscent of the popular Dolce & Gabbana 2013 fashion show, which sparked widespread excitement among viewers of the teaser.

When Jang Yoon-ju played Nairobi, aespa fans had trouble recognising her at first since she shaved her head and displayed her tattoos. When “Money Heist: Korea” finally appeared on Netflix, many viewers realised she had a K-pop connection they had missed in the teasers. The actress has also released three CDs of original music including her vocals and songwriting.

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