aespa’s new EP Rich Man has finally arrived, adding another chapter to the group’s high-speed rise as one of K-pop’s most dominant girl groups. The six-track project, released September 5 via SM Entertainment, follows the record-breaking momentum of “Whiplash”—a song that set a new bar for aespa both sonically and commercially. And while Rich Man offers moments of confidence and sharp production, it struggles to consistently hit the same highs as their recent peak.
The title track “Rich Man” is undeniably strong, built on rough-edged electric guitar riffs and a message of self-reliance. As KARINA explained in a recent interview, it’s not about material wealth but about declaring yourself complete on your own terms. This theme resonates and gives the EP its backbone. But across the record, the energy doesn’t always sustain that power.
Compared to the explosive clarity of “Whiplash”, this mini-album plays more like a transitional project—ambitious in scope but uneven in impact. Our score of 6.8 reflects that balance: still a solid release, but just shy of the 7.0 mark that usually signals a strong, cohesive project.
Below, we’ve ranked every song on Rich Man from weakest to strongest.
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