Now is the best time ever to be a girl group stan. We're in a Golden Era

No.

In fact 2nd and 3rd gen had a way more diversity in concepts and talent wise, performance wise, iconic songs by different ggs, etc etc etc.

But I'll say in kpop ggs always deliver in all gens.

NO!

The Golden Era of Girl Groups is over, a long time ago! That was the 2nd and 3rd gen. I've had like 40 faves in those two gens, now I have like 10 at max, and I'm not a hardcore fan at least 90% of those groups. I just can't relate to these new groups anymore. Maybe, because I'm older now, and I've seen everything.

• More variety of concepts
  
  Not true
• Girl groups are for the girls way more than they ever have in any other gen
  
  Also, not true
• There are simply MORE girl groups you can stan than before
  
  Again, no
• Girl Group members are getting more involvement in the creative process and solo opportunities
  
  Same, no

------------------

• The average talent level of girl groups isn't what it used to be
  
  100% true, especially in the BIG4 pond
• Girl Groups focus way more on maintaining a perfect image instead of being authentic
  
  Again, 100% true, also, they're models first and Idols second, some has brand deals before debut, and it's ridiculous
• Every girl group debuting at such young ages actually narrows the types of concepts they can safely do or convincly pull off
  
  True, but Idols debuted young since day 1, basically

Lastly: The quality of their music is not even comparable in my eyes with the first 3 gen. Again, I'm talking about mostly BIG4 groups.

"Golden era?" More like a fool's gold era, and even that might be too generous.

Quote from Yama-Chan

Yes, that is exactly why. You're washed.

Well, excuse me if I don't want to stan underage kids and their cute music, I'm not a teen anymore.😂

There are some exceptions like: Young Posse, Purple Kiss, KIOF, but that's all basically. If the new groups actually release good music, props to them, but I can't be a hardcore fan anymore like I was with SNSD or MAMAMOO for example. Idols nowadays are not down to earth, you can barely see them doing anything normal. You can't see their REAL personalities.

I may stan a group if they release good music, but I don't stan IDOLS!

yes

Quote from Varenka

It's just the truth. These are first and foremost musical acts (some more than others). If the music isn't good, then you can't have a golden era of musical acts. The Golden Era is still 2008-2012. We're still waiting for that second Golden Era, but it's not going on now.

The golden Era was 2008-2020 or so. That's why it's hard to beat that era.

Quote from Yama-Chan

Why are you laughing, don't tell me you disagree. 2016-2019 was probably the best Kpop era, btw. At least music wise.

Nah too soon! But 5th gen reminds me of 2nd Gen so by this logic 6th gen will be the next 3rd gen should be fun

I never know, what exactly defines a Golden Era? But based on the points mentioned, I'd say I know too little of the current situation to hail it as a Golden Era - although I'd lean towards No. I feel like there have always been a lot of ggs.

I'm also not convinced that posters can/will be able to answer that question objectively enough, and won't simply only hail as Golden Era the year(s) when their ultimate bias groups were at their peak, or when they themselves came into K-pop and everything was fresh and new.

... based on the posted comments so far, seems it's the opposite, I am convinced that people will NOT be able to be objective enough and WILL only be able to see when they were new to K-pop or when their bias groups were at their peak as Golden Era

Peak 2nd gen (2009-2013) was better imo, but it's definitely better than late 2nd gen and 3rd gen. I've the feeling 3rd gen is a bit overrated in general, GF are my ults and the top 5 ggs were really strong, but in general apart from those 5, other groups were pretty forgettable or hit or miss (I don't want to sound rude but there's a reason why none became succesful apart from OMG a bit too late). Loona was probably the most interesting thing happening after the top 5 and well...

i don't feel the variety in concepts right now. everyones just trying to be illit or ive

Quote from uwuwu-98

Peak 2nd gen (2009-2013) was better imo, but it's definitely better than late 2nd gen and 3rd gen. I've the feeling 3rd gen is a bit overrated in general, GF are my ults and the top 5 ggs were really strong, but in general apart from those 5, other groups were pretty forgettable or hit or miss (I don't want to sound rude but there's a reason why none became succesful apart from OMG a bit too late). Loona was probably the most interesting thing happening after the top 5 and well...

I had the same thoughts, 2009-2011 were peak years but 2007-2008 and 2012-2013 might be included if you like, and the diversity in girl groups, styles and concepts and overall vibe were a world of difference with 3rd gen where you only had a few girl groups who did really well and then a vast gap.

Not sure how to define 4th gen and 5th gen (I don't even know when one stopped and the other began), but it's characterized by not having a clear top tier but instead a wide range of ggs that do well in some way or another, more so than 3rd gen times and more of a reminder of peak 2nd times - but without an SNSD S tier equivalent present.

Quote from Varenka

Over a third of the history of K-pop is a golden age? That's just too liberal of a definition of "golden age."

Good acts can exist outside of the Golden Age but we're talking about ggs as a whole

A Golden Era isn't just a couple of years, imo. If we're only talking about music, it should be 2016-2019, but overall, the Golden Era was easily a decade long period.

The amount of quality groups and music, creativity, Variety content, personalities etc. Nothing can beat that 10 years.

Quote from Varenka

Shouldn't the definition of a Golden Age be up to you?

I'd say my definition is pretty simple: the era where the average level is music quality was at its highest. It can't just be your top groups or Big3/4 but the average of all groups being high. There can be multiple Golden Ages or even a Silver Age if you want to try to make a hierarchy.

True

It'll be very hard to beat 2009-2011 for me personally as much as I love most of the 4th and 5th gen music I've listened to. Maybe retroactively this being the start of one looking back on it 5-10 years from now but currently no.

2nd Gen was insane! Their vibes were unmatched.

But honestly? Njz, aespa, XG are legendary and exceptional groups.

Their music, talent, production, concept is the best EVER. They're at the top of their game.

There are also other good groups like meovv and kiof.

The problem is that there are alot of mid groups, an ocean actually and let's not talk about the tragic 5th gen . Personally i just ignore them despite the noise they make due to payola, and only focus on the greats. Period

The market saturation is a bad thing tho. Specially when it's top companies because they can literally flood the media with their mid groups.

Yet with the level of success some korean act have right now on the western market is also unheard of. From NJs 2023 runner up to now Jennie solo, it's truly an exceptional time for kpop and if handled properly, could literally become a game changer in the global industry.

We just need to get rid of frauds, copycats, slave contracts and abuse of artists in kpop and it will be perfect!

For me yes it is. 4th+ gen is a golden age much superior to 3rd gen for GG’s. I did like few GG’s from 3rd gen but it was severely dominated by BG’s and BG’s shined much more than GG’s.

Quote from ISaidISaid

For me yes it is. 4th+ gen is a golden age much superior to 3rd gen for GG’s. I did like few GG’s from 3rd gen but it was severely dominated by BG’s and BG’s shined much more than GG’s.

The 3rd gen was not dominated by boy groups. It was literally the best gen for girl groups. Like, ever!

I mean, name more than 3 big boy groups in 3rd gen that dominated charts: BTS, EXO, Seventeen, NCT, and maybe Btob, but that's all basically.

Meanwhile: We had Mamamoo, Gfriend, Oh My Girl, AOA, EXID, Bol4, Red Velvet, TWICE, Blackpink. And these are just one that came to my mind right now. There are more.