aespa is back with their sixth mini album, Rich Man, released on September 5, 2025. Coming three months after their single Dirty Work, their latest EP has six tracks ranging from pulsing dance-pop to smooth R&B:
Tracklist
- Rich Man (Title Track)
- Drift
- Bubble
- Count On Me
- Angel #48
- To the Girls
Redefining the Concept of Wealth
The lead single, also titled Rich Man, makes us question what does being “rich” really mean?
The word points straight to money but aespa flips that concept on its head. Based on the iconic Cher meme, Rich Man defines richness as loving yourself, embracing individuality, and inner strength. The lyrics sums it up best:
“Don’t care about what they say
Whenever they shove me aside
And do whatever they wish
If anything, it’s okay, see? My name is
What my name is (I am a rich man)
Don’t need the money, yeah, I see it
In my closet, my ideas
My talk, my walk, my name
You know when I’m serving them looks, I’ma feed ’em”
“Nothin’ on my mind but self-belief
‘Cause it’s so much more fun, ooh-ah-oh
I am a rich man
So I am standin’, where you lookin’?
Almost tailor-made my perfect fit, baby”
Breaking Gender Norms
Visually, Rich Man leans into grit and glamour. The track blends dance with hints of rock and electronica as the members dive into roles typically seen as masculine. Giselle throws herself into football, with Karina cheering her on from the sidelines. Winter fixes cars with ease, even hoisting one up over her head like it’s nothing. Karina goes head-to-head in drag races while NingNing is on a farm cutting wood with precision.
aespa place themselves in spaces usually reserved for men, and they handle everything thrown their way with grace. They don’t need a man to be powerful or to feel complete. They are the “rich men.”
The group challenges what it means to be a “rich man”. It can refer to anyone who defines value on their own terms, whose confidence, ambition, and strength aren’t bound by gender.
What Does It Mean to Be “Rich”?
The brilliance of Rich Man is how it stretches the idea of wealth far past dollars and luxury. Instead, being rich can mean having an abundance of:
Skill: Mastering something with your own hands. We see this with Winter in her shop fixing cars and NingNing cutting wood on her farm. They have the skill and experience that’s needed.
Resilience: Staying strong even under pressure. Even when Giselle is on the ropes, she pushes through no matter what happens on the field.
Character: Choosing to love and trust yourself first. Karina decides to throw herself into drag racing and she’s having the time of her life. She embraces this side of herself and doesn’t care what anyone thinks.
A Bold Evolution
Rich Man feels like a turning point for aespa. Past releases focused more on their cyberpunk-influenced concept. This track still has futuristic vibes, but it feels more grounded. The song’s concept isn’t just about being self-assured women. It’s about dismantling the entire framework of wealth, power, and the expectations placed on women.
aespa doesn’t want their fans to dream of finding a “rich man.” They want them to realize they already are one. Wealth isn’t about what you own. It’s about who you are.
