This year sucks and is horrifically boring

This is what happens when the top group in K-Pop is absent and nobody is left to fill the void.

As K-Pop fans, other than to spite me or out of misguided tribalism and jealousy, this is why I don't understand why anyone would root against NewJeans.

Regardless of how you feel about their music, they undeniably were trendsetters and a breath of fresh air in the industry.

No group perhaps ever had their combination of creativity, brand identity and novel approach to their song structure.

And nobody is filling the void left behind. The song that has made the most noise is that AWFUL Gnarly song, and that's because it's so god awful that you can't help but to have a strong opinion.

Admit it, AKP. It's BORING right now.

That's all I have to say.

Quote from number-one

Don't worry, Blackpink will comeback soon

No they won't. It's already May. Doesn't their tour start in less than 2 months? There is no hope.

Quote from number-one

Yes, and closer the tour is, closer the comeback is, because they comeback before the tour

It's YG. Nobody knows fake timelines and unfulfilled promises like them.

Good luck

Quote from citron-icy

I don't understand Lesserafim & IVE had a comeback, if I'm not mistaken Blackpink announced an album this year, Twice, Aespa will probably comeback, BTS will become active again.

It's only May 7th, the year is still long.

The first two were just OKAY but far from their best promotion cycles. The impact was minimal and they've released much better songs

The rest hasn't actually happened yet. It's BORING.

Compare now to this time circa 2023. We had so much more fun and great music.

Quote from XYZY

NewJeans running back to mommy Ador is coming whether we like it or not. What's the hold up?

Kpop be getting more interesting, and less clean cut after the major continuous success of Crazy, Whiplash, and even pop groups like Katseye coming out with Gnarly, Jpop group F5VE with Suger Free Venom.

That's nice. Your opinion is disqualified.

Quote from SooYoung

It's because Aespa didn't comeback yet

Only aespa and their exciting concept can save 2025 nobody else can do it

They're taking forever.

This comeback better hit hard. If it's a disappointment, I'm calling this the worst year in K-Pop since 2019/2020

Quote from Varenka

What does their trendsetter status matter if they're setting trends with bad music?

Good thing you're not setting any trends with your terrible taste in music. Begone

Quote from number-one

What? 2020 was the best year as long I have been kpop fan

It was 2019 then. That year was so bad I thought idols had completely lost their relevance and impact

2020 was mid at best.

2022 and 2023 were WAY better

Quote from citron-icy

Sorry, but you and I have very different expectations. I hardly ever listen to "top bands" anymore; I listen almost exclusively to solo artists. So, for my part, I'm still having as much fun as in previous years.

My expectations are for K-Pop to be fun and engaging and dynamic and impactful

It has been NONE of that this year, and that's why we NEED our top groups around. They set the tone, even if you don't like the music.

No NewJeans is awful for K-Pop, and the industry is so much duller without their releases and content

Quote from Epyon-556

You'll miss boring when BTS is back.

Let them return. I promise it won't be boring here when they do.

Same for BP IF it happens

Quote from ISaidISaid

There’s no mega hit this year so far I guess. Let’s see how the rest of the year pans out.

GD made the biggest noise so far, and you all hate him.

I kind of don't count him since he's bigger than K-Pop, and the industry is in a bad state if only a 20 year vet can save it from being boring.

Quote from Elliah

Up until recently comebacks were boring and uneventful

Now Gnarly is none of those things, but it's because the song is just so shit it forced itself to be eventful

Oh well, at least it's kinda fun to follow it. I am dumbfounded yet again everyday by its numbers

Gnarly has unironically made the most noise of any girl group release this year. In that sense, it was a big success

Other than Gnarly, it's been so BORING

Quote from number-one

I guess that is your opinion. I bet I could give you more good songs from 2020 than you could give me from 2022 or 2023

Huh? Opinion? Don't you know me? I'm one of the most seasoned veterans of K-Pop on this forum. Those years were AVERAGE at best.

2022 and 2023 were literally the most dominant girl group years in the history of K-Pop. Easily. We've never seen girl groups own the industry like they did then.

You will not find a period in 2020 that can measure up.

2022/2023 also had the most overlap of the top girl groups of both 3rd and 4th gen. We will never see that again.

Compare that to now. Total snooze fest.

And I hope you're not defending 2019. That was the worst year for idol music I have ever seen

Quote from Varenka

Yeah I'm really missing out on the amazing discography of NewJeans lol

You don't have to like the music, but you must respect the way they changed the entire paradigm of K-Pop and started a new era.

I'm sure plenty of people dislike SNSD and Twice music, but still respect their contributions to the industry

Quote from monalisalove

Uhm, I'm liking 2025 so far bc my faves dropped albums

And I'll say something kinda ironic contrary to your op, last year wasn't boring thanks to 60% of Aespa and Rosé, not thanks to njz 2024 releases that were not as good as their previous songs.

But hit wise, yes, this year I can say GD and Jennie made the most noise.

2025 sucks and so does the opinion you shared on NewJeans.

Who made you the arbiter of good music? Not me. That's for damn sure.

I loved all of NewJean's releases last year. Not many girl groups are doing City Pop and New Jack Swing. And they had an extremely novel and successful approach to promoting their Japanese singles as well.

It's that dynamic, creative thrust that's missing right now.

The industry needs them.

Quote from patrik-k

Well NewJeans songs are one of the must boring music in kpop so they are not really missed.

But in general kpop is a bit more boring since the end of the 2nd generation, it's a combination of less fun concepts/groups and also just less fun songs. A lot of groups struggle to keep a constant high level on their songs, they have one or two good ones, but also two-three borings ones.

Shut up. I'm proud to say I didn't read any of this

Quote from monalisalove

I'm as much as a judge as you, fool and you enjoying it's nice, but it wasn't them who made 2024 music better and kpop more interesting.

Your taste is awful. And I have seniority over you. I'm the better judge.

Quote from StanGIDLE

Also hope NewJeans situation resolves because the kpop industry needs them

Exactly. Without the alpha group around, the entire industry suffers. And especially one as creative and impactful and historic as NewJeans

Their absence confirms that they are the reason alone for the reignition of my interest in K-Pop circa 2022.

Quote from monalisalove

Keep staying delusional, 2024 wasn't a njz year music wise.

You think Jennie is a bigger idol than the King of K-Pop, GD. You're disqualified.

NewJeans released bops last year, just like they do every year.

Stop trying so hard to be a contrarian. This year SUCKS. And it's mainly because NewJeans are MIA.

The breath of fresh air has left and we're left with this stagnant, mundane and crude environment with no big bops.