I feel like Sm has been so dominant until recently that they don't know how to handle competition. Like with Exo vs Bts, it feel like both were roughly equal in popularity then Sm just unilaterally disarmed Exo so to speak Bts took off. I think Sm can't handle competition and purposely delaying cb like they started to doing with Exo in 2016. And it happen with Aespa again when this era is the fiercest in girl group competition and Sm just blowing it for Aespa by not giving them consistent cb. I know Sm might face some issues with their management recently, but didn't yall thinks this is exactly what happen to Exo?
Both started off really strong, sold the most albums (Aespa for gg now except Bp), chart really well, having kinda good promotion and publicity but then when their competitors come in, Sm suddenly don't know how to handle them. I'm afraid history is repeating itself with Aespa.