When The Members Are More Popular Than The Group

I feel like there are always a few groups from each era where multiple members in the same group are more popular as actors or soloists etc than the group is.

To be honest with some of Kpop groups I really feel like group activities and promotions hender the careers of the group members and they are just doing this stuff because they have to until the contract ends.

So, I don't piss off any fans, I'll use an inactive group as an example. Groups like Ze:A where like half of the members became hugely generally public popular in Korea after they stopped focusing on the group activities. Park Hyungsik, Siwan, and Kwanghee being the biggest from that group. I feel like the industry takes you more seriously when you're not labeled an Idol Actor and you don't have a ton of group schedules to do etc.

I know I'm not the only one that notices stuff like this, I'm kind of scared to mention it though as a lot of hardcore fans in fandoms worship the group even if it can be at the expense of the members in the group.

Quote from ellenote

I agree! being an actor is seen as more prestigious and acceptable, just look at idols preforming at acting award shows, the whole crowd is straight faced!

Tho tbh I think it has gotten a lot better. Idols are not look down on as much as they used to be. Tho I still feel like standards are different for dating with idols. Sometimes I get the impression that fans treat Idols less like adults than other celebs in Korea even if the Idols are 35 etc.

Quote from Jasmine_Waters

Suzy

Siwon

Eunwoo

Eunji

Hyuna

Sunmi

Hyeri

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You out here with the receipts.

Quote from Jasmine_Waters

I don't see the point beating around the bush lol

These are just facts

The industry is weird, there is the other side of the coin where a decently popular group disbands and then the careers of the members fall off a cliff after. Like Jongup from BAP puts out nice stuff, all the BAP fans seem to either all disappeared or are ignoring the solo stuff from the former members. Jongup's song US deserves way more than 500K views on Youtube etc. The group has MVs with over 40M views etc.

Quote from Lulu_Key

Its crazy all 3 are from the same group

However is any of them more famous than ZEA in musical department?

I think there are more cases of individual idols finding alot of success as CF, variety and actors.

Its harder to think of idols more famous in music department compare to their groups.

Even for Suzi, her career as a singer is a total flop, no offense

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Idk about the others that well but I don't think Hyungsik promotes as a singer at all (like albums and single releases) He does musical acting and makes OSTs for Dramas he is in tho.

Stuff like this:

Quote from desdesdes

I guess Kim Jungkook could be counted as well? Since I think more people will know him as the running man cast rather than Turbo. Heck maybe even a younger kpop stan will know him more as a youtuber/gym guy

Yeah, def now. Wasn't expecting an example with a group from the 90s.