Uncovering aespa’s “Rich Man” Original Lyrics Triggers Strong Backlash
aespa is facing controversy over their latest track “Rich Man” and its awkward changes from the original version.
The controversy began when American musician KANNER, credited as a writer on “Rich Man,” revealed her voice is on the demo track — a version she officially released in 2024 before it was seemingly pulled for aespa’s version.
aespa dropped “Rich Man” on September 4 as their comeback single, but fans didn’t buy the vibes. The track got mixed reviews, and a recent American live performance sparked criticism over the choreography too.
Things got messier after KANNER posted a TikTok showing her demo version, pointing out the song’s origins.
@kannertime I am what I am!! I am a rich man!!! #aespa #aespaconcert #aesparichman #songwriter #musictok
KANNER’s full demo version can still be found here:
Comparing the two versions shows major lyric changes. KANNER’s version lifts from a famous Cher quote:
My mom said to me, ‘You know, sweetheart, one day you should settle down and marry a rich man,’ and I said, ‘Mom, I am a rich man.’
— Cher
This line carries a feminist message: self-empowerment without needing a man.
aespa’s version rewrote it to:
My mom said to me, ‘Find someone who can give you everything.’
And I said, ‘Mom, I already have everything.’
— aespa’s “Rich Man”
Fans are not happy. Many say aespa’s version removes the strong feminist vibe and waters down the message.
Screenshots from fan forums and comment sections highlight the backlash:
Highlights from the backlash:
- Lyrics changed from “I’m a rich man, I’ve got it all so it doesn’t matter” to a vague “I love myself” message.
- The styling doesn’t fit the “narcissism” theme promoted by aespa’s version.
- Fans expected a strong feminist anthem but got a watered-down version.
- Some say aespa keeps male fans happy and avoids real feminist themes to chase the US market.
- Many preferred KANNER’s original version over aespa’s remake.
To add fuel to the fire, many criticized aespa’s live performances of “Rich Man” for awkward choreography.
Koreans “Embarrassed” By aespa’s Recent Performance In America
aespa didn’t write “Rich Man” but fans expected them to at least deliver a strong performance or respect the original message. Neither happened.
The backlash is still growing, and fans are watching closely to see if aespa or their agency respond.