Not having big company privilege makes groups appear less successful than they are

That's very true. Unfortunately it will remain like that for a long time, I think. BTS is the only group from a small company that reached a level of success so massive that they aren't downplayed anymore (I know Big Bang is also responsible for YG becoming part of big3). For any other group that doesn't have big company privilege like them, they will keep being perceived as less successful compared to big4 groups because kpop stans are extremely elitist and are always in denial until some ultimate proof happens. Until then, even after a non big4 kpop group achieves something big that big4 groups haven't kpop fans act like it's only a matter of time until kpop groups from smaller companies are surpassed.

yg

Yes that's true.

When a non-Big 4 does something, it's always "well they need one more hit" or something else to solidify their status.

But if it was themselves, it's "SMASH HIT NATIONAL ANTHEM" "IT GIRL STATUS" blah blah.

I agree.

only people who don't follow korean pop culture outside of kpop(variety etc) would think that a group like gidle or ive wasn't gonna be a success from the get-go

I agree

Also, It's like that even when they reach stardom and It's finally recognized, people expect them to fail quickly. After just one weak era, K-pop stans are already claiming they fell off and cutting them for the race.

While BIG4 groups, even If they are mocked, are allowed to have a flop/mid result and try again, again, again, again, again and everyone still see potential.

Not that the later is wrong, but we should keep this energy for non-Big4 groups too.

Quote from ks8126

Yes that's true.

When a non-Big 4 does something, it's always "well they need one more hit" or something else to solidify their status.

But if it was themselves, it's "SMASH HIT NATIONAL ANTHEM" "IT GIRL STATUS" blah blah.

I just read on another thread that G-IDLE will only prove themselves as one of the greatest groups of the generation on their next release AFTER this one that they already have 1.8 million pre-ordered albums (and still counting).

Pathetic really

I mean, yeah, but it can be done, MAMAMOO, Bigbang or IU as a soloist is a pretty good example. Also, what is the REAL success? Overhyped everywhere like Blackpink, or millions of people still listening to your music even after decades? Or even when you're not alive anymore. I would choose the long-term success over the short with big hype.

What I really hate nowadays is that people think if a soloist or a group or any kind of singer, not just in Kpop is not in the TOP10 every time, or even in the TOP100, they say the artist(s) are a flop. That's a load of shit! Baby Kpop fans are so fixated on Spotify or YT streaming numbers. Not to mention, a lot of fan thinks hundreds of millions of views means, the song is better than the one with 40M views for example.

I didn't hear anything about Lee Chae-yeon before I saw her MV "Knock" was nominated at MAMA 2023. I watched her MV, the music was good, the dance choreo and the film editing was great, yet, they placed it last, and Jisoo won with FLOWER as "Best Dance Performance". If that wasn't a huge slap in the face for anyone who loves music, I don't know what is. When you only win awards because you have 400M views, it means these Award shows are meaningless.

I still remember when SNSD, IU or Bigbang won everything people were angry a bit, but basically everyone said: They deserve it, because they made good music. Nowadays, that's not a thing anymore.

Quote from momamae

I just read on another thread that G-IDLE will only prove themselves as one of the greatest groups of the generation on their next release AFTER this one that they already have 1.8 million pre-ordered albums (and still counting).

Pathetic really

Saying things like this, is ridiculous, but we can't say that G-Idle isn't a creative and a talented group. I'm not their fans, I like some of their music, but I love their creativity more than their music.