On September 5 at 1 PM KST (9:30 AM IST), the four-member girl group aespa—Karina, Winter, Ningning, and Giselle—under SM Entertainment, released their much-anticipated sixth mini-album, ‘Rich Man’. This comeback follows just a few months after their June release of the single ‘Dirty Work’.
With ‘Rich Man’, aespa continues to explore themes of self-confidence and empowerment, delivering a bold message of independence and self-assurance that runs throughout the album.
Their previous comeback, ‘Dirty Work’, carried a message of persistence and resilience, urging listeners to keep moving forward no matter the circumstances while embracing a bold, and unapologetic persona. With ‘Rich Man’, aespa takes that spirit a step further, declaring their success and independence while sharing a universal message of self-acceptance—one that aligns with the broader K-pop narrative of empowerment.
‘Rich Man’ contains six tracks, including the title track ‘Rich Man’ and the b-side tracks ‘Drift’, ‘Bubble’, ‘Count On Me’, ‘Angel #48’, and ‘To The Girls’, each offering its own distinct vibe and message.
Contrary to its title, ‘Rich Man’ isn’t about wealth or materialism. Instead, it celebrates self-sufficient women who don’t need anyone else to validate their dreams, as expressed in the lyrics, “I am a rich man (I’ma carry myself)” and “I’m my own biggest fan, and I’m high in demand.”
Musically, ‘Rich Man’ blends gritty electric guitar riffs and dynamic band arrangements with the members’ vocals, creating a bold and edgy dance track.
The music video brings this idea to life as aespa takes on roles typically dominated by men: a football player, a mechanic, a camera operator, a woodworker, and a monster truck driver.
The members shine as they step into these roles, embodying the music video’s message with natural confidence. Their self-belief is evident not only in the lyrics they sing but also in the way they carry themselves, exuding a charismatic aura that draws viewers in. The choreography for ‘Rich Man’ leans toward a fun and simple style, making it easy to dance along while still highlighting the aespa’s stage presence. Together, their performance brings the song’s empowering spirit to life, leaving a lasting impression of strength and charm.
‘Drift’ is a hip-hop dance song with catchy whistle sounds and fast-paced beats, packed with themes of confidence, freedom, and boldness. Life is compared to a thrilling car ride—an exhilarating drift where one faces challenges head-on without fear. The lyrics “Haters gon’ hate when we do what we do” and “No fear, got my girls all here” reinforce the message: ignore negativity, embrace bold choices, and support each other unconditionally.
In ‘Bubble’, aespa leans into playful, authentic self-expression. Karina’s declaration, “I’m cold like a blizzard, got magic like a wizard”, captures the group’s unapologetic attitude. The track’s pop-driven sound is light and catchy, with repetitive phrases like “Twist it, turn it, flick it, pull it, bop it / Twist it, turn it, flick it, pull it, bop it” adding an addictive charm that mirrors the carefree energy of self-expression.
An R&B track filled with warmth and reassurance, ‘Count On Me’ expresses the beauty of being there for someone, even through pain. Lyrics such as “One, two, three, you can count on me / One, two, three, I got all you need / ‘Cause you’re the only one who’s gonna give me what I need” are bound to resonate deeply with listeners. The song’s message of endurance, vulnerability, and comfort highlights the power of mutual emotional connection and unwavering support.
The fifth track, ‘Angel #48’, is entirely in English and feels like a direct entry from a manifestation journal. Lines like “Dreaming, feeling, I keep visualising / And now I’m getting it right / You’re the love that I’m attracting / Yeah, it has always been you, boy / It will always be you” evoke a dreamy atmosphere of calling in love and positivity. aespa invites listeners to manifest their deepest desires, as seen in the chorus: “All my dreams, they come true, boy / They will always come true.” Their vocals shine in this soft, hopeful song.
The final track, ‘To The Girls’, is a powerful tribute to women and the bonds they share. It captures the feeling of standing strong with one’s sisters, ready to face the world together. Lyrics like “This one goes out to the girls (Girls) / My sisters all over the world / This one goes out to the girls (Girls) / All messed up and ready to burn” reflect unity, resilience, and passion—an ode to shared strength.
aespa’s third concert tour, ‘2025–26 aespa LIVE TOUR – SYNK: aeXIS LINE’, kicked off just ahead of the release of the ‘Rich Man’ mini-album, with three consecutive shows at the KSPO Dome in Seoul on August 29, 30, and 31, 2025. During the tour, aespa performed the title track ‘Rich Man’ for the first time live, along with three B-side tracks, giving fans an exclusive preview of the new album. Following the Seoul shows, the group will soon head to Japan.
The name ‘aeXIS LINE,’ derived from ‘Axis Line,’ symbolizes a central axis — representing aespa’s journey of spreading positive energy and conveying self-driven, empowering messages. The tour carries the concept of “the beginning of solidarity,” highlighting aespa’s bond with their fans, MY, who share in their vision and values.
Later, aespa released an English version of the title track ‘Rich Man,’ as well as another version featuring artist Sevdaliza.
The group also released multiple remixes of the track, including a Yellow Claw remix, a DPR CREAM and h4dy remix, a DPR ARTIC remix, and a standard version—each presenting the track with a different mood while maintaining the essence of the original.
On September 16 KST, aespa made history on the Billboard 200 once again. The album ‘Rich Man’ debuted at #12 on the chart, marking aespa’s seventh different album to enter the top 50. Additionally, ‘Rich Man’ debuted at #3 on both Billboard’s Top Album Sales and Top Current Album Sales charts, marking it as one of the week’s best-selling albums in the U.S.
The title track also entered Billboard’s Global Excl. U.S. chart at #15 and the Global 200 at #30, while aespa re-entered Billboard’s Artist 100 at #14, marking their 17th non-consecutive week on the chart.
Additionally, the group earned multiple music show wins, including their first for ‘Rich Man’ on MBC’s Show Champion on September 17 KST.
With ‘Rich Man’, aespa continues to push boundaries, embracing themes of empowerment and independence while further reinforcing their global impact.
Written By: Srishti Pandey
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