4th gen debuted in 2018
and While 3rd gen already had some clear leader at the start of the gen, 4th gen seems to be much more competitive
at the start of 3rd gen Exo was the clear leader among BG and GG competition was between Gfriend and Twice
4th gen seems harder
For example
G-idle show great potential during their first two title, with Latata and Hann but their popularity took a big hit with Senorita who couldn't meet the expectations after this their focus was on Ifans and koreans kind of forget about them until they do Queendom who gave them a big exposure again among the GP and the release of Hwaa prove that they were more popular than ever, but their popularity seems to have take a hit after soojin controversy, and the members are already going into their own solo project after just 3 years.
Itzy seems like they were the big contestant for 4th leader after the big success of Dalla dalla, but icy made them lose hypes and since their big debut with Dalla dalla, none of their song could reach this level of success, they are for example struggling to enter top 10 since Melon reform , the GP attention on the group doesn't seem as strong than it was during their debut by looking at the chart but their fanbase seems to grow very quick, especially among Ifans considering that they chart pretty high on Spotify global 200, and their physical sales etc....
Aespa after some controversial and mixed reactions to their debut, their first Comeback seems to surprise everybody by breaking records on the chart for 4th gen GG, the real question is will they be able to maintain this type of success with every comeback , or it was just a one hit thing ? also the lack of Physical sales make it hard to determine clearly how strong is their fanbase but the fact that they were able to be the fastest GG to chart on spotify global 200 and that the fact that they are the 3rd GG behind BP and Twice to debut at #2 on itunes worlwide charts, make it seems like their fanbase seems pretty decent. But one of their biggest weakness might be their concept too, will they be able to make people like it, or people will easily get bored of this weird concept ?
Now the Darkhorse that nobody saw coming, StayC, they took everyone by surprise with their first debut album sales who almost reach 100K and the fact that their songs is almost a 2 months years old song and is still rising on the chart and outcharting song release more recently, they prove to everybody that they had a lot of potential and shouldn't be forget when talking about 4th gen leader
the real question is will they be able to build a stronger fanbase and also get more recognition among ifans to be become the uncontestable 4th gen leader ? and will BEP will be able with one of his song to help StayC reach the level of Success that Twice did with his song ?
How long do you think we need to wait to see a real 4th gen leader emerge among 4th gen GG ? and who do you think it might be ?