Do you think Nwjns’ popularity and influence especially outside the Kpop bubble are real, or are fans exaggerating it

  • I see a lot of Bunnies talking about Nwjns’ popularity outside the Kpop bubble, both in Korea and globally. While some of this might be true especially in Korea, part of me feels that fans exaggerate it a lot. People often see them as successors to Bts and Bp especially because of their BB Hot 100 entries. However, they failed to maintain that momentum in 2024, after cutting ties with Hybe.


    This makes me think that Hybe still played a major role in pushing their success outside globally. Nwjns are not yet at the level of Bts or Bp. This is understandable, considering they are still very new to the industry, which is why I don’t understand why people often speak so highly of their influence.


    While I do think Nwjns have a lot of appeal that can attract non-fans, I don’t think there is the same level of public interest in them compared to both groups.


    Personally, I think Katseye having more potential to become the next Bts and Bp in terms of attracting casual listeners to Kpop. Let's be real, they're just a kpop group but with more personality and charms.


    I’m not belittling Nwjns however, I think some people treat them as an essential pillar of Kpop, comparable to BB, Snsd, Bts, Bp and so on. In reality, they are just like other new generation Kpop groups who benefit from the foundation built by previous generations, without having the same level of industry changing impact that fans claim they do. Their absence did not hurt Kpop at all.

  • WW their influence is exaggerated, but let's not act like so many groups weren't directly influenced by them...

    They have influence, and that's why they are the second biggest Hybe group as in real influence, not fandom power.

    Now with Hybedor making sure to stop ot5, I don't think they'll get as big as they could and would with og Ador. Unfortunately their story ended fast enough bc their own company couldn't accept their power.

  • Their popularity and influence outside of K-pop is exaggerated, but that can be said for every group to be honest. Within K-pop, it's not. That isn't to say that they're a pillar of K-pop, but they were on their way to becoming one on the level of past legends if they had kept up their momentum for a few more years. We'll have to see what happens when they return during their next comeback to see if their past momentum is just derailed, especially with Danielle being kicked out.

  • I think it depends on region because if we're talking about North America, Europe, and Latin America. Then, I don't think NewJeans or any kpop group is that popular to the general audience. There is of course some chatter because you'll see certain viral topics appear on algorithms. For example, some people talked about Danielle's contract termination, but discussion was more about kpop industry than Newjeans vs Hybe drama.


    Unsure when it will happen, but I just don't think kpop will gain popularity where groups and soloist are household names. I think Katseye has a better chance to be a known name compared to any 4th or 5th gen kpop group. I think closest group of being somewhat popular is Blackpink and BTS. Other than that, kpop is mainly it's own bubble and even then both groups aren't taken that serious with the general public.


    To be fair to NewJeans, Super Shy was a hit and there was many people singing that song but they may have not known much about NewJeans.


    To answer OP question, it's of course exaggerated and I don't think kpop needs western validation to have success. Popular kpop groups are able to tour these regions and that's what matters. It's of course a bonus to be recognized by the western audience, but kpop industry doesn't fully need validation outside of the kpop bubble to have success

  • "They failed to maintain that momentum in 2024, after cutting ties with Hybe" and "part of me feels that fans exaggerate it a lot" Well here is monthly listens for December on Spotify.

    BTS
    24,398,456
    BLACKPINK
    24,386,122
    TWICE
    20,309,463
    LE SSERAFIM
    16,490,274
    ILLIT
    15,109,190
    NewJeans
    14,369,165


    Nothing exaggerated about it. Keep in mind Illit and LSF just had comebacks so monthly stats will be boosted. On the year only BTS, BP, Straykidz, Twice and LSF will have more listens. For a newish group with no new music in nearly 2 years, with so few songs I can't begin to tell you how impressive this is. Only BP/BTS has stats better when no new comeback is out.


    Some have made the argument when you compare the first 2 years of NJs to first 2 years BTS/BP it might be better but no one was saying they're at that level now, clearly not the case. No one ever said they're on the level on BTS now, thats gaslighting 101.


    You end saying your not to belittling Nwjns. The entire post is that.

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