Who is more likely to become a top tier group? 89
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ILLIT's case is that they had one of the best performing, viral debut songs in Magnetic.
What holds them back is the big elephant in the room that is their NewJeans 2.0 image, which their dumb as rocks company (and Hybe) just etched in stone with the historically smooth brain decision to drop a video sourced from Korea's equivalent to 4chan.
In other words, their image is compromised and future concepts ambiguous. Magnetic is still performing well digitally, but who knows how their next release does. Right now, no matter how much Hybe media plays brand reputation index, Magnetic seems to be much bigger than the group, which has not become a syndrome like their immediate predecessors.
Babymonster had a much slower start. One could even call it abysmal given the standard set by their predecessors, 2NE1 and BLACKPINK. It was bad enough that both their fans and YG like to pretend their first debut doesn't count despite its blatant marketing as their debut single.
Despite that, in an era where talent gets less of a spotlight than the previous generations combined, BM reversed their situation and charged up the charts finally after wowing the public with their performance skills.
Sheesh peaked in the top 10 on most charts, and their YT engagement, even discounting bot views, is by far the best among their peers. If they just pick a GOOD SONG (Sheesh was awful), maybe they can get a #1 song
I have set the table.
Cast your votes
I am aware that the answer can be both, but for the sake of argument, this is about who has the best chance currently or who will accomplish it first.