K-pop powerhouse aespa has stunned fans and film lovers alike with the release of their ‘Rich Man’ trailer, titled ‘I am a Rich Man,’ unveiled on August 25 KST.
The nearly 6-minute cinematic clip opens with acclaimed actor Koo Kyo Hwan, drawing viewers into an eerie narrative set in a freezing cold bowling alley within a storage facility. As Koo gradually breaks down amid the chilling atmosphere and escalating tension, the aespa members—Karina, Winter, Giselle, and Ningning—remain strikingly composed, creating a haunting contrast that amplifies the trailer’s psychological depth.
Praised for its cinematic visuals, meticulous direction, and compelling performances, the trailer is directed by Lee Ok Seop, known for her distinctive visual style and artistic storytelling. Fans were especially captivated by Karina and Winter’s naturalistic acting, Ningning’s lines in Chinese, and Giselle’s Japanese dialogue, which added an unexpected multilingual twist and elevated the trailer’s immersive quality.
Beyond its visual flair, the trailer delivers a powerful message: true richness lies not in material wealth, but in one’s unshakable presence and poise amid adversity—a philosophy aespa conveys through both narrative and performance.
The collaboration between aespa, actor Koo Kyo Hwan, and director Lee Ok Seop under SM Entertainment’s creative project team ‘2x9’ has drawn comparisons to a full-scale short film rather than a mere promotional teaser. Netizens reacted enthusiastically with comments like “This is beyond a trailer—it’s a cinematic masterpiece,” “I need this on Netflix,” and “The multilingual acting, the tension, the setup—everything is perfect.”
aespa’s ‘Rich Man’ mini-album is set to drop on September 5, with anticipation skyrocketing thanks to the narrative depth and artistic ambition previewed in this compelling trailer.
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