Are Kang Hyewon and Kim Minju vs Lee Chaeyeon proof that visuals in Kpop always ultimately win at the end?

Hyewon and Minju were Iz*One's known visuals since the PD48 days, whereas Lee Chaeyeon was always labeled as the talented darkhorse contestant who barely got into Iz*One with the last place.

Rigging controversies aside, one year later after their disbandment,

• Hyewon is now a social media influencer and despite her vocals/talents, she's still releasing music and does decent numbers on her YouTube channel and Instagram, and was casted in Ravi's music video in his recent comeback.
• Minju is a weekly music show host, has a few variety show jobs despite no music/acting release, but now is finally rumoured to be in an MBC Kim Young-dae historical drama.

Contrary to the two, Lee Chaeyeon's most notably appeared on the popular Street Woman Fighter, but she arguably lost the most there whereas the dancers gained the most notoriety and popularity. A lot of people are waiting for her to go solo, but her agency does not seem to have a plan for her, and she lost a lot of steam compared to other Iz*One members.

Wbk a pretty face can take you places, even more in kpop

It's always been the case.

Legitimately name me some non-attractive idols who are that popular. The biggest and most popular idols have always been amongst the best looking, especially with female idols. Hyori Lee, Eugene, IU, Suzy, Taeyeon, Yoona, Dara, Krystal, Seolhyun, Son Naeun, T-ara Jiyeon, Hyuna, Jennie, Lisa, Irene, Joy, Tzuyu, Nayeon, Sana, Wonyoung, Winter, Karina, Sullyoon, Kazuha and so on.

Listing the most popular few in each group will give you a who's who of visuals in kpop. Even in nugu groups it's the same story. DIA Chaeyeon, April Naeun, Loona Heejin, the list goes on.

Not necessary. Visuals indeed give a huge boost and quickly draw attraction. But there are cases where the non-visual have become successful acts in their own right.

Taeyeon was not the visual of SNSD, but she has the better career in singing, than the rest.

IU initially was considered more cutesy than visual, it was Suzy, Jiyeon who were the visuals of her peer set. But today her immense success and some glow-up, she is topping the ranks of beautiful actresses

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Nayeon can't be called the conventional beauty, yet amongst Twice, she is holds the prominent position.

So eventually it is 'personality' which is conveyed via beauty, talent and smart career choices that prevails.

Quote from Pickled Mint & Orange Bear (55)

It's always been the case.

Legitimately name me some non-attractive idols who are that popular. The biggest and most popular idols have always been amongst the best looking, especially with female idols. Hyori Lee, Eugene, IU, Suzy, Taeyeon, Yoona, Dara, Krystal, Seolhyun, Son Naeun, T-ara Jiyeon, Hyuna, Jennie, Lisa, Irene, Joy, Tzuyu, Nayeon, Sana, Wonyoung, Winter, Karina, Sullyoon, Kazuha and so on.

Listing the most popular few in each group will give you a who's who of visuals in kpop. Even in nugu groups it's the same story. DIA Chaeyeon, April Naeun, Loona Heejin, the list goes on.

It's more common, but not always the case. Kang Daniel was not hyped as the visual like Jihoon, Lai Guanlin or Ong Seongwoo. Eunji is more popular than Naeun amongst the GP for her vocals, solo music and acting work. And Taeyeon was never the visual in SNSD, it was Yoona, Seohyun and Yuri, and she was always the most popular member.

And the reason I wrote this post is because Minju or Hyewon were the visual, but never had the star power or "hype" like the ones you mentioned. But they are still getting jobs unlike Chaeyeon who had a lot more hype for her talents, but is now jobless.

it's not only visuals but charm and appeal too. of course if you have a standard pretty face like minju or hyewon you will succeed most likely. but if you don't have the visuals, there are other factors that can save you, aside from talent. soyeon, hyolyn, cl and more idols found success even if they looks didn't fit the beauty standards because they were charmig and charismatic on stage. chaeyeon lacks that. she may be great at dancing but her expressions and presence are mediocre

Hyewon is literally one of the least talented idols of all time, but she's still popular, which tells you all you need to know about K-Pop, really

she shines most in a group , she knows it , the company knows it , everybody knows it.

her debuting solo won't do her good, she needs a group but WM don't see to have plans for one

she needs to be taken in by a new company tbh