Did HYBE miscalculate the impact of Sakura and Chaewon's acquisition in LSRFM?

LSRFM was supposedly to match up against the girlgroup giants of the 4th gen, but it's been coming short in those efforts.

Acquiring Sakura and Chaewon, they were expected to carry the group over the top with their existing fanbase and being from a Produce group.

However, Kazuha has been unexpectedly the most trendy and buzz-worthy member. Chaewon barely made any noise, nor is she popular as solo guests on variety shows like her 4th gen contemporaries like Karina/Winter, Wonyoung/Yujin, etc.. Sakura always had a fanbase, but domestically, she's not always seen in the best light, maybe it's politcal but controversial either way..

While they do contribute in some ways with album purchases, those numbers are always heavily inflated and never truly reflect the real domestic popularity of groups. Stans use them for their own arguments, but that's neither here nor there.

While Chaewon was seen as in the upper echelon of popularity between Iz*One members, did HYBE miscalculate her relevancy amongst domestic general public, and how it all changes when you take the individual out of the Iz*One lineup when they begin operate solo and in their groups?

They're doing fine. Especially considering the situation with Garam. Not topping the charts doesn't mean they're flopping.

You're acting like they're flop. Sakura helped in sales a lot. And maybe they acquired chaewon because they didn't have any talented vocalists(yunjin was from pledis).

Garam's scandal helped and hurt them, I think.

It helped because it was free press. Hurt, though, because HYBE is insisting on keeping her in the group, which many fans and non-fans disagree with.

Their album sold well and, considering who they were competing against at the time of debut, they will be okay.

I do think HYBE chose the wrong debut date, though because they debuted the same day as (G)I-DLE. Hopefully it was just a coincidence and not intentional.

Sakura is still huge, and is carrying the sales chaewon is among the most searched female idol on YouTube Korea, and her IG engagements double, she has 1M likes per posts, she used to have 400k-500k, and she seems to have a deal wigs Burberry, she will be fine.

they're doing really well though?

plus Chaewon is the ace of the group (vocals + dance), she'd be an asset even if she was some random trainee without a fanbase

but also they beat every girlgroup except IVE in digitals for their debut and their sales are great too.

You guys do realize that le sserafim debut is only behind IVE in terms of domestic and int success in 4th gen right?

You can blame Garam for that

They are doing better than stayc on charts, that is a something specially considering stayc charting is overrated and not actual hit makers yet considered a top gg of 4th gen

Their debut was bigger than most girl groups' debuts, only Dalla Dalla and Eleven were bigger, so they are doing pretty well.

that's a very bold take considering the fact the only 4th gen gg doing better in digitals with their debut was IVE, and that's actually a huge achievement taking into account the whole garam situation and how poorly hybe is managing it.

also, sakura and chaewon literally carried the album sales AND a big part of the buzz during their pre-debut days. just look at the difference between the engagements of their debut teasers and the teasers of the rest.

Quote from OP

Chaewon barely made any noise, nor is she popular as solo guests on variety shows like her 4th gen contemporaries like Karina/Winter, Wonyoung/Yujin, etc.. Sakura always had a fanbase, but domestically, she's not always seen in the best light, maybe it's politcal but controversial either way..

chaewon is literally trending in korea every time she appears on a show, let's not be ridiculous here. also, you can read as many of them pannchoa articles where 40 yo men are calling sakura a right-winger and whatnot because of 2 pictures taken out of context but that doesn't change the fact the majority of koreans cannot resits her visuals and are constantly praising her stage presence and dancing

Wut? Fearless peaked at #8 on Melon and they sold over 400k on Gaon. Eleven from Ive sold under 400k and peaked at #3 on Melon. Stayc, Aespa, and Idle's debuts were much worse.

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that's a very bold take considering the fact the only 4th gen gg doing better in digitals with their debut was IVE, and that's actually a huge achievement taking into account the whole garam situation and how poorly hybe is managing it.

also, sakura and chaewon literally carried the album sales AND a big part of the buzz during their pre-debut days. just look at the difference between the engagements of their debut teasers and the teasers of the rest.

chaewon is literally trending in korea every time she appears on a show, let's not be ridiculous here. also, you can read as many of them pannchoa articles where 40 yo men are calling sakura a right-winger and whatnot because of 2 pictures taken out of context but that doesn't change the fact the majority of koreans cannot resits her visuals and are constantly praising her stage presence and dancing

They had buzz, but post-debut, it's been all about Kazuha. Sakura and Chaewon's Knowing Bros episode got the lowest ratings of the year, but yeah I guess "Chaewon is literally trending in Korea everytime she appears on a show".

It's not even about pannchoa articles, Sakura's domestic popularity is close to non-existent, her fanbase is primarily in China and Japan.