Rumors have been swirling online that aespa’s next comeback might be coming sooner than we think. It all started after Winter mentioned in a livestream she was practicing for a song called Rich Man.
Naturally, that’s all it took to set off waves of debate across stan Twitter. Some MYs (aespa fans) are intrigued by the possible shift in the group’s sci-fi concept while others are preemptively in a state of mourning.
I want to remind everyone that nothing has been officially confirmed by the group’s label, SM Entertainment. aespa just dropped Dirty Work and Dark Arts. They’re about to embark on their third world tour. Let’s save the doomposting for after we get a press release or at least some teaser photos.
Why is Rich Man So Controversial?
For a group whose identity revolves around AI avatars, parallel dimensions, and futurism, a title track called Rich Man feels… jarring. There’s concern that aespa is being forced to change their concept to appeal to a wider audience.
Some are concerned that the song revolves around trying to attract a rich man as a partner. With more people becoming disillusioned with the elite and the corruption that follows the ultra wealthy (particularly ultra wealthy men), it’s not hard to see why some fans feel whiplash. (No pun intended, I swear)!
Let’s say aespa was going to release a song called Rich Man. What if it isn’t meant to center a man at all?
One theory going around is that the song might reference two iconic Cher interviews where she said, “Mom, I am a rich man.”
The phrase was in response to Cher’s mother insisting on her daughter to settle down and marry a man with money. It’s a popular meme that rejects the idea that a woman needs a man to feel complete.
If aespa’s Rich Man is taking notes from that meme, the title might actually be a clever twist. A bait-and-switch track that promotes empowerment and self-worth. That would be right up aespa’s alley. The group’s entire image has always focused on power, control, and self-definition, wrapped up in sci-fi aesthetics. If Rich Man doubles as a feminist anthem, it’s not a betrayal of aespa’s message. It’s an evolution of it.
Didn’t aespa Already Break From Their Concept?
aespa has never been strictly limited to one sound or visual. Their biggest title tracks, Black Mamba, Next Level, Savage, and Supernova pushed the envelope by embracing a futuristic vibe. But that’s only one side of their catalog.
Another side of the group’s concept is about how the girls interact with the real world. This has been explored with softer songs ranging from dreamy, nostalgic pop (Dreams Come True), stripped-down ballads (Forever), and sunny summer songs (Better Things).
aespa’s brand isn’t a cage but online fandoms tend to flatten things. If a group breaks from “what they’re known for,” some fans treat it like betrayal. Others only tune in because it’s different. The result is a never-ending cycle of overreactions every time something shifts even slightly. Or, you get complaints from those who long to see something different and accuse the group of being stagnant.
What Do Fans Want aespa to Be?
This is what it really comes down to. aespa debuted with a strong, original concept that made them stand out amongst other idols. Their use of lore, an aggressive, metallic sound, and high-concept visuals gave fans something to latch onto. They were new and cool and different.
So when the group experiments (or is rumored to experiment) it feels like a change in who they are. It’s one of the main reasons why Dirty Work got mixed reviews after its release.
There’s also the fact that new or casual fans may not know aespa already has a softer, more mainstream side. Some diehard fans may have chosen to ignore it. Either way, there’s this weird tension where aespa is expected to both evolve and stay the same, to push boundaries but never change course.
And then, of course, there’s the K-pop rumor mill. Every unverified tweet or livestream clip gets blown out of proportion. Rich Man could be a B-side. It could be a working title that could change overtime. It might not even make the album final tracklist. In the absence of verified information, speculation fills the void and not in helpful ways.
Should Fans Be Worried?
No, because nothing has been confirmed yet and SM has been quiet on when aespa will have another comeback. If anything, this reaction says more about MY’s expectations for aespa than it does about the direction the group is heading.
At the end of the day, aespa’s strength has never been about sticking to one lane. The girls proved they can do bold, crazy sci-fi and soft, dreamy concepts that are more relatable. They’ve balanced world-building with catchy pop hooks.
If the group chooses to return with something unexpected, we shouldn’t rush to doom-post or declare the end of an era. We should wait and see how they execute it. Because aespa has always been at their best when they push boundaries and experiment with something new.
