Both were huge groups that did a lot for kpop and we're known as the nations girl group. They've been compared in every single way. We all know the story.
So why is it even after all this time SNSD still feels like the more iconic and more influential group? Is it because second gen is more iconic and nostalgic? Cause no Twice member reached Taeyeon, Yoona, Jessica level? Or is it because SNSD just WAS more iconic plain and simple?
I think it has to do with most 2nd Gen groups. They were seen as something new, unpolished, but more polished than 1st Gen. They pushed things further than anyone else had before. 3rd Gen was more of a polished formula of 2nd Gen.
Like Bignose said, 2nd gen just hit different. It was a period in time before social media (kinda) and smartphones. The world was very different back then, more genuine I would say. The 2nd gen idols grew up without mobile phones and a lot of them have an interesting history. KPOP went from a kinda failing business to a massive phenomenon all over Asia with TVXQ/DBSK, then SNSD and BIGBANG and the rest is history. That's why 2nd gen will always be seen as a legendary era, because it was.
2nd generation groups are, in a way, irreplaceable. Because they were pioneers, there are others similar to them, but unlike the 3rd generation, their influence isn’t limited to just music — they had a strong and lasting impact on the entire entertainment industry. It seems to me that SNSD, for example, has become a culturally ingrained phenomenon in the minds of the Korean public. I can say the same for some other 2nd generation groups like Wonder Girls and 2NE1. But when it comes to influential 3rd generation groups like Red Velvet or TWICE, I’m not so sure. It feels like the scope of influence for the 3rd generation is somewhat narrower
Nothing can beat this. And this is just one of their many iconic songs. Yes, Twice has plenty of hits themselves but SNSD truly wowed many people. As others have mentioned, they were pioneers. This doesn't undermine Twice's legacy, though.
TWICE vs SNSD is a thing of the past. With how much Twice has grown in the last few years on a global scale, it is pointless and actually disrespectful to compare them to a group who never held a single concert outside Asia. And this was not because they were sabotaged. There was never demand for them.
SNSD will be remembered for their unmatched popularity in SK but that's it.
Twice stomps on SNSD in every relevant metric. They are more successful and more popular. People refuse to give Twice their flowers cuz they don't go on hiatus but you see, Twice never needed those hiatuses that SNSD had cuz one thing about Twice.. the demand is always there. As well as the passion.
oh twice already reached 10y ? 
weirdly they don't feel like a legendary 10years old group
probably cuz their peak was really short
most of the members doesn't have a solid career like yoona and taeyeon already built when snsd reached 10y and the rest of the members lack recognition among the public
+ i would say their impact isnt feel too cuz i don't see much groups who debuted recently talking about how they were influence by Twice to become an idol cuz most of the new trainee mention BP so it also took away some of their impact
in comparison of 3rd gen group that were all mentionning SNSD as the group that made them want to become idol
While it’s true that groups like TWICE and BLACKPINK have achieved remarkable global success in terms of fandom size, streaming numbers, and concert revenues, influence cannot be measured by commercial metrics alone. 2nd generation groups such as SNSD and 2NE1 laid the foundation for K-pop’s global expansion. They were the first to break into international markets, appear on Western TV, and set the standard for the modern K-pop group structure.
SNSD’s ‘Gee’ or Wonder Girls’ ‘Nobody’ weren’t just hits they were cultural moments that changed the trajectory of Korean pop culture. These groups shaped public perceptions of K-pop both domestically and internationally when the genre had little to no global infrastructure. Their influence permeated beyond music into fashion, TV, and variety shows, helping to normalize idol culture in Korea and introduce it to new audiences abroad.
By contrast, 3rd generation groups benefited from the groundwork already laid by their predecessors. They thrived in an environment where K-pop was already a recognized global force. In that sense, their commercial success builds on rather than surpasses the foundational cultural impact made by the 2nd generation
While it’s true that groups like TWICE and BLACKPINK have achieved remarkable global success in terms of fandom size, streaming numbers, and concert revenues, influence cannot be measured by commercial metrics alone. 2nd generation groups such as SNSD and 2NE1 laid the foundation for K-pop’s global expansion. They were the first to break into international markets, appear on Western TV, and set the standard for the modern K-pop group structure.
SNSD’s ‘Gee’ or Wonder Girls’ ‘Nobody’ weren’t just hits they were cultural moments that changed the trajectory of Korean pop culture. These groups shaped public perceptions of K-pop both domestically and internationally when the genre had little to no global infrastructure. Their influence permeated beyond music into fashion, TV, and variety shows, helping to normalize idol culture in Korea and introduce it to new audiences abroad.
By contrast, 3rd generation groups benefited from the groundwork already laid by their predecessors. They thrived in an environment where K-pop was already a recognized global force. In that sense, their commercial success builds on rather than surpasses the foundational cultural impact made by the 2nd generation
also it might be me but i feel like 2nd gen group also seems to have left a bigger impact on people cuz kpop felt authentic at this time
you know that when snsd made the buzz with gee it was a real buzz on youtube
you know that when wonder girls enter billboard it was really because of their song only
but 3rd gen wasn't as authentic
it's when album sales start to be boosted by mass buying
ytb views were boosted by ads
groups charting on billboard and spotify were thanks to their company push and promo with playlisting, slling album with merchandise etc....
so it felt because 2nd gen got this much success by being authentic it feels their accomplishement feels more amazing
Display Morealso it might be me but i feel like 2nd gen group also seems to have left a bigger impact on people cuz kpop felt authentic at this time
you know that when snsd made the buzz with gee it was a real buzz on youtube
you know that when wonder girls enter billboard it was really because of their song only
but 3rd gen wasn't as authentic
it's when album sales start to be boosted by mass buying
ytb views were boosted by ads
groups charting on billboard and spotify were thanks to their company push and promo with playlisting, slling album with merchandise etc....
so it felt because 2nd gen got this much success by being authentic it feels their accomplishement feels more amazing
I completely agree with you. Things happened differently during the 2nd generation, before the full rise of the internet age. Since it was more integrated into everyday life, its cultural impact on the public was much stronger.
Like Bignose said, 2nd gen just hit different. It was a period in time before social media (kinda) and smartphones. The world was very different back then, more genuine I would say. The 2nd gen idols grew up without mobile phones and a lot of them have an interesting history. KPOP went from a kinda failing business to a massive phenomenon all over Asia with TVXQ/DBSK, then SNSD and BIGBANG and the rest is history. That's why 2nd gen will always be seen as a legendary era, because it was.
I believe it was also the first and last time the general public as a whole cared about and actually paid attention to kpop, not just kpop fans. Idols did variety shows and was all over TV and this was when everyone still watched TV.
Literally nobody talks about SNSD anymore. Only Taeyeon is relevant, the rest have literally disappeared from public view. Even Izone is way more relevant and they were a 2 year temp group ffs.
Twice still makes headlines and trends on TW, they get MILLIONS of views on YT for rando interviews and variety.
Like Bignose said, 2nd gen just hit different. It was a period in time before social media (kinda) and smartphones. The world was very different back then, more genuine I would say. The 2nd gen idols grew up without mobile phones and a lot of them have an interesting history. KPOP went from a kinda failing business to a massive phenomenon all over Asia with TVXQ/DBSK, then SNSD and BIGBANG and the rest is history. That's why 2nd gen will always be seen as a legendary era, because it was.
Wait a damn honky tonk... BIGNOSE?!
Izone literally the Avengers of Kpop. Just look at this rando one minute clip of them playing a hilarious game together.
You literally have the Waterbomb Queen Eunbi, the four leaders of Lesserafim and Ive including the It Girl of Korea and the It Girl of Japan, two Rookie of the Year actresses in Minju and Hyewon, the greatest soloist in 4th gen in Yena, the greatest idol turned actor in Yuri who has been seen by 500 million people worldwide after Squid Games...there will never be a collection of talent like this again.
This is 4 years after disbandment and their careers are only getting BIGGER, they aint fading away into obscurity like almost all of SNSD lbr here.
Happy ten years Twice 
Literally nobody talks about SNSD anymore. Only Taeyeon is relevant, the rest have literally disappeared from public view. Even Izone is way more relevant and they were a 2 year temp group ffs.
Twice still makes headlines and trends on TW, they get MILLIONS of views on YT for rando interviews and variety.
Nobody talks about Elvis anymore either. Guess that means Bruno Mars has surpassed him in every way.
they aint fading away into obscurity like almost all of SNSD lbr here.
You live in total denial
we heard more about seungri this year after he left the industry, move in china and hide from the media
Than we heard about minju, hyewon
Even taeyeon dog,zero is more popular in korea and made more noise than them
Cuz they are simply more impactful.
SNSD set so many records, influenced the entertainment industry, made kpop famous worldwide so it's hard to match up to a legendary group like them especially when Twice was created as a direct copy of SNSD. A semi retired SNSD came back in 2022 and outcharted Twice and were all over TV like when they were full time active. Even with no group CB everyone is finding success on their in various old Taeyeon and Hyoyeon touring and half the group being award winning actresses. SNSD are simply in a different league
SNSD is more iconic in Korea
Twice is more iconic globally
I think it's as simple as that. SNSD paved the way for 3rd generation, but 2nd generation wasn't able to capture a global audience.
Because SNSD will always be legends for being the first nation's/asia's gg, and maintaining that title pretty much undisputed until TWICE came along, while TWICE were eclipsed by BLACKPINK like 3~5 years into their reign.
Also SNSD is dead and TWICE is still dragging along, and legends are always greater after they're gone
Display MoreYou live in total denial
we heard more about seungri this year after he left the industry, move in china and hide from the media
Than we heard about minju, hyewon
Even taeyeon dog,zero is more popular in korea and made more noise than them
Yuri and Hyewon nominated for some of Korea's most prestigious awards for Friendly Rivalry and Squid Games. Even Eunbi nominated.
No one at SNSD made any impact like this.
Minju could even be the best of them all and she wasnt nominated for the streaming/digital awards cause she headlined a literal INTERNATIONALLY DISTRIBUTED FEATURE FILM and went viral for a NATIONALLY TELEVISED K DRAMA (not the usual C tier Webseries that your faves star in lol).
Meh, here in South America we barely know SNSD (Not even in their peak). Meanwhile i can listen Twice songs in the radio. 
I kinda agree that they don’t feel as legendary or iconic as Soshi. Maybe it’s because they are so… harmless?
Soshi had this sexy edge to them which Twice don’t. Twice always had a teen vibe, especially at their peak. Sana is super hot of course, but could the group as a whole pull off Genie? Could they ever have pulled off Genie? I have my doubts.
It seems weird to say it now because these are Soshi’s juniors, but Soshi was like a blend of Twice and AoA.
Display MoreYuri and Hyewon nominated for some of Korea's most prestigious awards for Friendly Rivalry and Squid Games. Even Eunbi nominated.
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No one at SNSD made any impact like this.
Minju could even be the best of them all and she wasnt nominated for the streaming/digital awards cause she headlined a literal INTERNATIONALLY DISTRIBUTED FEATURE FILM and went viral for a NATIONALLY TELEVISED K DRAMA (not the usual C tier Webseries that your faves star in lol).
Isn't Sooyoung and Yoona pretty big in the film industry? I am unsure about Sooyoung but I know she's going to appear in the John Wick spinoff film. However, Yoona has been in some big kdramas.
Bc they are not
4th gen fans won't even be able to tell SNSD and girl's generation is the same group 💀
This whole thread is just one, big, disingenuous attempt to downplay Twice's success. People might have more nostalgia for SNSD in South Korea, one country. The rest of the world? Forget about it. It's not even a competition. But leave it to Koreaphiles to pretend fame in Korea somehow trumps everything else.
PS: Stop pretending 2nd gen groups took Kpop global. They did not. They helped spread it through parts of Asia, but that's as far as they got. The only artist who was active during the 2nd gen of Kpop who actually went global was Psy. That's it.
Koreaphiles
Meanwhile, please look forward to Twice's comeback
Unfortunately, no.
Imagine comparing TWICE to SNSD in 2025 - TWICE have long since eclipsed them, along with every other 2nd-gen group, in virtually every aspect.
Twice doesn't feel as big or legendary because SNSD was so big in their generation, even if other groups could match them or surpass them in certain categories overall SNSD was THE biggest and wasn't even close, TWICE as big and as successful as they are surpassing most of SNSD records always had competition and was even surpassed by BLACKPINK, so they will never be as legendary as SNSD because everything TWICE is doing is being done by other groups in their generation too, that doesn't mean TWICE is not insanely successful and popular, if there was a big gap between TWICE and BLACKPINK with TWICE leading they would feel as legendary as SNSD i think
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