Me first:
1. Ive will always be seen as Wonyoung + Yujin and friends, and I don’t see other members' potential to even remotely close the popularity gap. They don't have the same star power, while Wonyoung and Yujin's charms are too strong for them to handle. That's why in each comeback, the 'viral' members among the other 4 shift from one to another, while those two remain on top no matter what. None of them are able to protect their spot in the next comeback.
2. Eunchae is generally liked by the K-pop community and doesn't receive as much hate as the maknae of other popular groups. This isn't solely because she's loved by K-pop stans or because Lsf fanbase does a good job protecting her. It's simply because her group isn't considered a threat to anyone except GFriend and VIVIZ stans. Once they start becoming a threat, K-pop stans will start bashing the members too.
3. Newjeans, despite their popularity, haven't been able to show their full potential yet. Their songs are too basic to showcase their talents.
4. Nmixx and Itzy can change their concepts and songs just like NJ or Ive, and most K-pop fans+gp still wouldn't care.
5. Among the big 4, SM is the worst at treating and promoting their foreign idols. Sometimes they even treat Aespa as a duo, and the other two are practically invisible in their eyes.
6. Blackpink will renew, but they might have fewer than 3 comebacks as a group before they're done. It might feel more like a reunion than a comeback.
7. I hope Twice gets a lot of rest. I know their group schedules are less packed compared to before, but it would be amazing if they could have a long one-year holiday to focus on their individual careers or just rest. They have been working too hard.