On September 5, 2025 (1 PM KST), aespa (Giselle, Karina, Ningning, Winter) released Rich Man – The 6th Mini Album, their first project under the historic partnership between SM Entertainment and Capitol Music Group. The album marks a turning point: a sonic declaration that aespa are not just idols, but a genre of their own. With six tracks spanning hip-hop, R&B, and pop, Rich Man balances grit, glamour, and vulnerability.
Below is the track-by-track breakdown of the album, followed by a closer look at the title track’s music video.
1. Rich Man
The album opens with “Rich Man”, a bold declaration of self-worth that cements aespa’s evolving identity. From its gritty guitar riffs to its chant-driven hooks, the track sets the tone for everything that follows.
Musical Analysis
The song thrives on contrast: a rock-inspired backbone laced with hip-hop cadences and anthemic pop choruses. Giselle’s spoken intro instantly hooks with conversational sharpness, while Winter and Ningning elevate the chorus into an infectious rally cry. Karina and Giselle’s verses sharpen the edges with rap-inflected delivery, balancing grit with polish. The post-chorus “la-la” section adds a playful, festival-like texture, making the track memorable and easy to chant back at concerts.
Lyrics Analysis
The lyrics, the song’s message becomes even clearer:
- Rejection of material dependency: “Don’t need the money, yeah, I see it / In my closet, my ideas.” The richness comes from creativity, independence, and identity, not possessions.
- Celebration of individuality: “I am my own biggest fan, and I’m high in demand.” It reframes wealth as confidence and self-acceptance.
- Defiant resilience: Lines like “굳은 mental 그것쯤 웃네” (“A hardened mindset laughs it off”) and the bridge’s diamond metaphor (“I’m like a diamond ring, already got my thing”) reinforce unshakable self-belief.
- Empowerment hook: The repeated “I am a rich man” becomes mantra-like almost hypnotic in its insistence.
Thematically, it cleverly flips gendered expectations (the “find someone rich” trope) into a message of independence and power.
Judging Scale
Overall Impact: 4.5/5 → A title track that feels both personal statement and universal anthem.
- Music Quality: 4.5/5 (bold production, strong balance of vocals).
- Lyrics Quality: 4.5/5 (anthemic, layered with cultural subtext).
2. Drift
If “Rich Man” was an anthem of self-belief, “Drift” is pure adrenaline. At just under three minutes, the track hits like a nitrous-fueled sprint, fast, flashy, and relentless.
Musical Analysis
Built around a pulsating beat and whistle-like motif, “Drift” blends hip-hop dance with high-octane EDM touches. The production leans heavy on percussive drive and bass drops, mimicking the feel of accelerating on an open road. The chorus is infectious, repetitive but effective, designed for maximum impact in live settings. Vocals are delivered with swagger; you can almost hear the members smiling as they trade verses, leaning into the playful “vroom, vroom” chants.
Lyrics Analysis
The lyrics extend the racing metaphor: speed, power, and momentum as symbols of freedom and confidence. Lines like “Shift gears and we’re riding clear” and “밟아 pedal to the floor” (Step on the pedal to the floor) paint images of limit-breaking energy. The presence of “my girls all here” adds a subtle camaraderie layer, not just about the ride, but the company and collective force of aespa.
Where “Rich Man” celebrates inner richness, “Drift” celebrates outer momentum, the thrill of moving fast, unapologetically swerving away from stereotypes (“안 내켜 s-s-stereo type 같은 뻔한 move”). Together, they complement each other: one internal, one external.
Judging Scale
Overall Impact: 4/5 → A dynamic follow-up track that keeps the energy high and broadens the album’s sound palette.
- Music Quality: 4/5 (energetic and catchy, though a bit repetitive in structure).
- Lyrics Quality: 3.5/5 (fun metaphor, but more playful than profound).
3. Bubble
At just under two and a half minutes, “Bubble” is the album’s most playful detour, minimal yet heavy, polished yet mischievous. It thrives on its contrast between lean production and bold personality.
Musical Analysis
The track is powered by a drum & bass backbone, crisp hi-hats, rolling beats, and sub-bass pulses. The instrumental space is intentionally sparse, letting the vocals and ad-libs take center stage. The repetition of “Twist it, turn it, flick it, pull it, bop it” mimics a game-like chant, instantly recognizable and almost hypnotic. Vocally, the members play with tone: Ningning and Winter bring bright sharpness, Karina adds punch, and Giselle slips into quick-tongued delivery.
Lyrics Analysis
Lyrically, “Bubble” calls out insincerity and façades. The bubble metaphor works well, fragile, transparent, and bound to burst. Lines like “Allergic, 뻔한 가식” (“allergic to obvious pretense”) and “내가 볼 땐 무너졌어 네 세상은” (“from my view, your world has collapsed”) add edge beneath the playful surface. The refrain, while repetitive, reinforces the idea of popping through lies and artifice.
The juxtaposition of minimal sound + biting lyrics gives the song an unusual weight despite its short runtime.
Judging Scale
Overall Impact: 4/5 → Compact, catchy, and surprisingly cutting beneath the playfulness.
- Music Quality: 4/5 (clever use of space, though some may find it too minimal).
- Lyrics Quality: 4/5 (metaphor is sharp and consistent).
4. Count On Me
“Count On Me” is the emotional anchor of the album. Where the earlier tracks were driven by swagger and playfulness, this one slows down the pace, pulling listeners into aespa’s more vulnerable side.
Musical Analysis
The production leans into dreamy R&B, marked by soft synth layers, steady beats, and subtle reverb that creates an intimate atmosphere. Compared to the high-octane energy of “Drift” and “Bubble”, this track feels like an exhale. Vocally, it’s a showcase piece:
- Ningning and Winter shine with soaring lines that carry both fragility and strength.
- Karina and Giselle anchor the verses with grounded delivery, keeping the song from floating too far into sentimentality.
The arrangement builds steadily, layering harmonies and instrumental textures toward the final chorus, where everything swells before tapering off in the outro.
Lyrics Analysis
The lyrics dive into the theme of love as salvation through pain. It’s not about idealized romance, instead, it acknowledges scars, brokenness, and sacrifice. Lines like “다 망가져도 상관없지 / Be a little selfish, baby / 원한다면 맘껏, hurt me” (“Even if I break, it doesn’t matter / Be selfish, baby / Hurt me if you want”) are startling in their raw vulnerability.
The chorus hook, “One, two, three, you can count on me”, contrasts this pain with reliability and reassurance, the willingness to endure hurt because the other person’s presence is the only salvation. It’s paradoxical: destructive yet deeply devoted.
Musically and lyrically, this track flips the “Rich Man” theme inward: where the title track declares self-reliance, this one admits dependence, but frames it as strength in love.
Judging Scale
Overall Impact: 4.5/5 → The emotional centerpiece of the album.
- Music Quality: 4.5/5 (lush arrangement, strong vocal showcase).
- Lyrics Quality: 4.5/5 (intense, poetic, and layered with vulnerability)
5. Angel #48
If “Count On Me” was raw and intense, “Angel #48” flips the mood into something ethereal and uplifting. Sung entirely in English, it’s a dreamy pop gem that reveals aespa’s softer, more celestial side.
Musical Analysis
The production, handled by LDN Noise, leans on glossy synth textures and floating melodies. The mid-tempo beat is steady but light, allowing the vocals to shimmer above. Compared to the darker edge of earlier tracks, this one feels like sunlight breaking through clouds. Vocally, it’s bright and blended:
- Ningning and Winter soar in the chorus with a sweetness that carries the dreamy quality.
- Karina and Giselle add grounding verses, ensuring the track doesn’t lose its rhythmic pulse.
The song is layered with lush harmonies, giving it a spacious and almost spiritual atmosphere.
Lyrics Analysis
The concept of “Angel number 48” ties into numerology and manifestation. Lyrics like “I manifested you, dreamt you into my life” and “It has always been you, boy / It will always be you” emphasize destiny, attraction, and clarity in love. Unlike “Count On Me”, which leaned on pain, this track focuses on faith and positivity, framing love as something fated and uplifting.
The English-only approach also suggests a deliberate reach toward the global market, making it more accessible for international listeners while still fitting aespa’s universe.
Judging Scale
Overall Impact: 4/5 → A refreshing breather, balancing lightness with aespa’s signature sophistication.
- Music Quality: 4/5 (lush and polished, though a bit safe compared to aespa’s riskier tracks).
- Lyrics Quality: 3.5/5 (sweet and accessible, but less layered than the Korean-heavy tracks).
6. To The Girls
The mini album closes with “To The Girls”, a rousing mid-tempo anthem that doubles as both farewell and rallying cry. Where “Rich Man” opened with self-love, this track expands that message outward, turning it into collective empowerment.
Musical Analysis
The instrumental layers bright pop melodies over a steady, stadium-ready rhythm. The arrangement is expansive without being overproduced, leaving room for the members’ vocals to shine.
- Ningning and Winter deliver soaring choruses that feel communal, almost chant-like.
- Karina and Giselle provide bite with punchy verses and spoken emphasis.
The “la-la-la” bookends tie it together with a singalong quality, designed to linger in memory and echo in live performances.
Lyrics Analysis
The lyrics channel solidarity and resilience. Lines like “This one goes out to the girls / My sisters all over the world” position the song as a message of unity and shared strength. The repetition of “we’re everything you’re not” flips negativity into defiance, while “harder than steel, freaking unreal” underscores toughness beneath sweetness.
The imagery of tick-tock in the bridge reinforces a sense of unstoppable momentum: time belongs to them, and nothing can hold them back. It’s empowerment with a playful edge, making it less confrontational than “Rich Man” but just as affirming.
Judging Scale
Overall Impact: 4/5 → A fitting closer that ties back to the album’s empowerment thread.
- Music Quality: 4/5 (uplifting, polished, accessible).
- Lyrics Quality: 4/5 (straightforward but effective, strong rallying message).
Final Words
Rich Man – The 6th Mini Album is more than a collection of songs; it’s a cohesive empowerment statement. Each track reflects a different facet of richness, self-love (Rich Man), speed and energy (Drift), clarity against lies (Bubble), resilience in love (Count On Me), faith and destiny (Angel #48), and collective solidarity (To The Girls).
Together, they form a consistent narrative: richness is inner power, creativity, love, and unity. The title track and its MV serve as the manifesto, while the other songs provide variations that deepen and broaden the theme.
Album Score: 4.5/5 – Confident, cohesive, and career-defining. aespa are no longer just a group; they’re stepping into genre territory of their own.
