I found old AKP article about generations

Quote from BunnyLipChickpoo

Shouldn't a new generation start every 7 years since contracts last that long right?

idk about previous gen but 4th gen is just code for "we cant compete with BTS or BP so lets do this"

Quote from bartkun

Generations.

where did you find this ?

Quote from BunnyLipChickpoo

Shouldn't a new generation start every 7 years since contracts last that long right?

No. before TVXQ split and JYJ filed a lawsuit against SM. this 7 years contract was not used by most of kpop companies.

this here from wiki:

"In 2009, three members of the boy band TVXQ took their management agency SM Entertainment to court, claiming that the agency's 13-year-contract was too long, too restrictive, and gave them almost none of the profits from their success.[1][2] The following year, in 2010, South Korea's Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) created a rule that limited entertainment contracts to seven years.[9] In 2017, the KFTC again put restrictions on entertainment contracts. Among other things, the 2017 reforms reduced the financial penalties for K-pop trainees that break their contracts early and made it more difficult for companies to force K-pop idols to renew their contracts."

there are also some sources that you can find at the end of the page.

Slave contract - Wikipedia

Quote from BunnyLipChickpoo

I didn't know that, that's interesting.

But we were talking about when a new gen starts, when do you think that starts?

I am not interested in this kpop gen thing. I do not see any reasons to use generation in idol other than comparing groups e.g: "this group is the best in X gen, etc".

Ah yes the generations, the only time 1st gen is ever brought up

Generations are divided based on shifts in the industry and evolution of the market.

The first 4 generations were marked by a constant expansion, from national to regional to global.

The start of 4th gen is usually set to 2018 because 4th gen groups were the first to have access to the global market right off debut. Other criteria can factor in too, like the covid crisis. Because of covid, most 4th gen groups were unable to tour or even have a live concert until now. Some even had to wait for months/years before having a live audience for the first time during their music show promotions.

Now we can wonder what will be the defining traits of 5th gen. In terms of expansion, kpop can't go any wider; so either it won't be a criteria anymore, or 5th gen will be the start of kpop recession.