K-Pop Meets Keycaps: Higround x AESPA Drops Nov 21

K-pop and keyboards finally share the same desk. Higround has teamed up with AESPA for a limited collection of three keyboards and matching XL mousepads. The line spans a luxury aluminium build, a do-everything 96% layout, and a clean 75% clear look—each dressed in AESPA’s visual universe. If you’re in the UAE, here’s what’s coming, how much to budget in dirhams, and when to be online.

The luxury pick: Summit 65+ (CNC aluminium)

A premium 65% board designed for collectors who want metal, weight, and that polished finish.

• Price: $299.95 (≈ AED 1,102)
• Build: CNC aluminium case, mirror stainless steel back plate
• Typing: New Dampening Plus five-layer system for a muted, solid sound
• Vibe: Centrepiece board for AESPA fans who like heirloom hardware

This is the showpiece. The aluminium shell and steel mirror back plate add mass, which helps with a deeper thock and less desk rattle. The five-layer Dampening Plus stack points to a pre-tuned sound profile—handy if you don’t want to open the board on day one. It’s priced like a collector item and looks the part.

The do-everything board: Basecamp 96+ (full keys, smaller body)

A 96% layout that keeps the numpad but trims wasted space—good for gaming and spreadsheets.

• Price: $189.95 (≈ AED 698)
• Layout: 96% with function row and numpad in a compact frame
• Switches: TTC Neptune for a balanced feel and sound
• Design: AESPA icons and song titles printed along the F-row

If you bounce between ranked matches and Excel, this is the practical pick. You get all the keys without the old-school footprint, plus AESPA details baked into the legends. TTC Neptune switches aim for a clean, consistent sound so you won’t need to mod straight away.

The minimalist build: Basecamp 75+ (transparent, compact)

A clear 75% board that keeps arrows and function keys without the clutter.

• Price: $169.95 (≈ AED 624)
• Look: Transparent case with AESPA styling for that glass-desk aesthetic
• Typing: Dampening Plus again for tighter acoustics
• Switches: HG Blitz for a snappy, RGB-friendly feel

The 75% layout is a sweet spot for smaller desks. You still get dedicated arrows and F-keys, but it looks cleaner. The transparent shell and RGB play nicely if you like a lit setup. There’s a matching 75% keycap set at $69.95 (≈ AED 257) if you want the style without a new board.

Matching desk mats and dual-legend keycaps

Round out the look or mix and match across the set.

• Mousepads: XL Control mousepads at $49.95 (≈ AED 183) in matching art
• Key legends: Hangul + English across all three boards
• Why it matters: Cultural nods without sacrificing readability

The dual-legend approach is both a design choice and a practical one. It celebrates AESPA’s Korean roots while keeping everyday typing clear for English-first users. The XL mats tie the desk together and add control for low-sens aimers.

Why this collab matters (beyond the hype)

It’s the first K-pop partnership for Higround and a neat fit for how people actually use desks now—music, streaming, gaming, and work all in one place.

• Audience overlap: K-pop fandom and PC gaming communities are already intertwined
• Design-first hardware: Peripherals as fashion and identity, not just function
• Collectability: Limited art runs hold value better than generic colourways

Putting AESPA iconography on serious hardware (not just sticker-bombed plastic) signals that “lifestyle” peripherals are here to stay. If you’ve held out for a board that matches your playlist and your setup, this is the rare drop that treats both with care.