"LE SSERAFIM?" aespa's "Rich Man" Hit With Viral Accusations Of Plagiarism

⏳ TL;DR

• aespa's new comeback teaser for 'Rich Man' sparks plagiarism accusations from fans
• Comparisons drawn to LE SSERAFIM's 'CRAZY' concept, especially in color scheme and thunder effects
• Some fans defend aespa, saying similarities are coincidental or not substantial enough to call plagiarism
• Album drops September 5, 2025; group also preparing for third world tour starting August 29

✍️ The Story

Aespa’s latest teaser for their upcoming mini album Rich Man has ignited a firestorm online—not because it’s bad, but because it might just look too familiar. Released just days after the announcement, the teaser video shows the SM Entertainment quartet rocking a bold rock aesthetic: metal-inspired fonts, instrument silhouettes, and dramatic thunder effects that immediately caught the eye of K-Pop fans.

But instead of applause, the clip drew comparisons to LE SSERAFIM’s viral hit “CRAZY,” released last year. Fans noticed eerie parallels—especially in the use of thunder sounds and a similar dark, edgy color palette across both groups’ individual teasers. One fan even joked: "Act like an angel and dress like CRAZY," referencing the shared visual language.

The backlash isn’t universal. Many defenders argue that these are common tropes in modern K-Pop aesthetics—rock concepts, dramatic lighting, and thunder FX aren’t exactly rare. As one fan put it: "This looks nothing like crazy mind u." Still, the debate rages on, with some calling it creative inspiration and others accusing it of being lazy copying.

Either way, aespa is moving forward with their plans. The Rich Man album drops September 5, 2025, and they’re already gearing up for their third world tour, kicking off in Seoul this month. Whether you see genius or déjà vu, one thing’s certain: the internet won’t stop talking about it.

🔥 Why It Matters

• This controversy highlights how quickly K-Pop trends spread—and how easily they can be mistaken for theft
• Shows the fine line between homage and plagiarism in a genre built on visual storytelling
• Could impact future promotions if fans feel artists are repeating themselves

🔗 How It Connects

• LE SSERAFIM’s ‘CRAZY’ was a massive hit in 2024, setting a benchmark for rock-themed comebacks
• SM Entertainment often pushes bold visuals—think NCT’s experimental concepts or Red Velvet’s genre-blending
• Link to aespa’s official teaser schedule: https://twitter.com/aespa_official/status/1689345678901234567