If mandatory enlistment wasn’t a thing.. which groups would’ve benefited the most?

I also think EXO. That huge hiatus definitely affected their popularity in korea A LOT

I also think Exo

bigbang and exo

NU'EST

Because when the member will turn 28 in 2 years everyone will go to the army at the same time and leave Aron alone since he is from America and the only member who dosn't need to do it. NU'EST would be pretty fucked if they leave after their 11th anniversary in 2023

EXO for sure. Kpop grew exponentially in the last 1-2 years and they haven't released new music since 2019 to really take advantage of the new audience.

Quote from crystalblues

SHINee/EXO/BIGBANG/2PM all suffered greatly because of their members enlistments and could have easily been bounds and leaps more successful if not for the mandate

I don't think SHINee really suffered from enlistment at all but they might with Taemin's. Don't Call Me pulled better numbers and charting than they had in a while

EXO. Kpop blew tf up when they were enlisitng.

Bigbang for sure.

I am not sure about most but I can think of the first group who were affected globally, SuperJunior. I remember slightly losing my enthusiasm with the group after Heechul joined the military and prioritizing my other fav (SNSD). Even though Kangin enlisted earlier.

As for most, I believe it's EXO. Everything on digital platforms (social media) blew up and Kpop was no exception. I think K-pop's popularity was already increasing rapidly since 2012 though (every year it's crazier). EXO were/are still very popular and IMO hasn't peaked yet even after losing members so the enlistments' time has stopped great potentials.

BIGBANG certainly left a vacuum that others took advantage of in their absence with luck and timing, to their credit.

Otherwise BB weren't leaving much oxygen left for anyone.

Quote from I-dont-cAre

Kodjiajgahikk!! You always take it one step too much

The entertainment industry itself is always about luck and timing. BIGBANG themselves was a product of luck and timing. It's all about who can take advantage of that. That's a compliment to whoever can do that.

We'll never know, but BB didn't seem to be slowing down in 2016.

But these things always come in cycles and in ebbs and flows, and the next big stars take over.

But this thread is a hypothetical and not actual reality, so it's just guesses.