Not sure if it is SM's fault, I just think they are just doing what the Korean public wants and accepts. YG does the same for BP. Same for JPY with Twice. Foreign idols will not have a long term future in SK, it's just too big of a barrier. They can only sustain if they are part of a group with mostly Koreans. My mother is Korean who was born in the west, but worked in Korea for a few years and she absolutely detests Korean culture because of how women are treated. So being women and a foreigner must make it extra tough for them. I've read some those comments on kmedia and they are horrible. Good news is based on what I hear from my family members in SK who are big aespa fans, all 4 girls are loved by their fandom. Typically the ones throwing these horrible comments never spend $$ on kpop anyways.. they are just looking at ways to spread their hate.
In the end though it will all work out for all 4 members. All 4 girls are way too likeable/talented/beautiful to not be big time stars and they all will be popular globally. Ning's popularity is growing outside of SK.. going viral regularly on twitter.. and in China she is starting to get huge.. (her ending fairy fancam hashtag has over 50M views already, and her leg shaking video with over 130M views on weibo) Giselle's popularity outside of SK is also growing, but more slowly. I think once the pandemic is over and they can start promoting in the west, that's Giselle's time to shine.