Let's be real kpop is in a bind. It's not growing beyond its pre-existing niche and in fact I think it's actually shrinking. BTS as solo artists will do different things, tap into different audiences and will do things that might set them too apart from the idol industry that the industry might not be able to keep up. Look at Jhope's solo. I don't think the goal there is mainstream success.
Remember the KSA president's letter? That so called reputed critic who was shading BTS for not being grateful to the industry and criticizing them? Lamenting their "lack of consideration" for the industry? The idol industry desperate to become successful in America. Has always been. BTS's name gave the genre weight and the narrative kpop is growing some power. But now what?
I do not think they are growing much in Asia too. Japan seems resistant largely. Groups do well enough for a narrative but not THAT well. Chinese market is becoming more resistant too and it's hard for korean artists to navigate the landscape there. South East Asia has always been a consumer but I feel like kpop has maximized their audience there and it's stable.
Groups who are already established are doing well like Twice, BP, etc. But why does it seem that the newer groups (4th gen and beyond) aren't gaining new fans? If people are checking them out it's the pre-existing fans in the kpop community. SKZ went #1 on Billboard but why do I not see anybody talking about them? Where are the fans? Where are the articles?
Now ofcourse I also understand not every artist wants a break out and that should not be a standard but talking about the industry (you know folks like the singers associations, critics, journalists, executives) they are desperate to push a narrative. It's a business and I wanna see how they do in future.
Edit: I am talking about music solely. Movies and dramas are a wider conversation and maybe we can talk about them later.
