Why was exo considered 3rd gen when BB and SNSD was dominating?

EXO is not part of any generation and never been. They were always just a part of Koanda.

True. l think exo is 2nd gen

What should define a new generation then? TVXQ debut was in 2003 and exo debut 9 years later in 2012; it isn't enough to be considered next gen? Considering that kpop groups contract is for 7 years; or used to be 10 years previously.

YES!!!

I've been saying that for AGES!! Finally some people remembered!!!

2011 to 2014/2015 was regarded as late 2nd gen or gen 2.5, yet somehow that changed the past few years for the sole reason to include EXO in the 3rd gen era

That sheer impact that EXO had, expediting the demise of 2nd gen era and the rise of 3rd gen era with 3 whole years  

They're 3rd gen.

Does that mean groups like aespa and treasure are 3rd gen because BTS and BP are still dominating?

they are more 2.5 gen but people consider them 3 gen now

Quote from 2techs

Infinite debuted in 2010 and they are 2nd gen but 2 years later, it became 3rd gen because of exo. I guess SM groups defined the gen thing just by debuting or something.

SM has 3 2nd gen boygroups- tvxq in 2003; super junior in 2005. Shinee in 2008. So it's not like SM is defining the gens. Although it could be given that SM is the most influential kpop company.

Shinee is considered 2.5 gen btw. And infinite too.

Also about infinite. NCT debut in 2016 as 3rd gen group; 2 years later Ateez debuted who are considered 3.5 gen. And 1 year later itzy and txt debuted who are considerd 4th gen. Each gen has its own timeline. if 3rd gen started in 2012; 2019 is probably start of 4th gen.

Anyways this gen thing is just for fans. it's not some kpop rule or something.

Quote from Zenning

YES!!!

I've been saying that for AGES!! Finally some people remembered!!!

2011 to 2014/2015 was regarded as late 2nd gen or gen 2.5, yet somehow that changed the past few years for the sole reason to include EXO in the 3rd gen era

That sheer impact that EXO had, expediting the demise of 2nd gen era and the rise of 3rd gen era with 3 whole years  

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I think 3rd gen started in 2013/14 if it wasn't for BTS I would have said 2014

winner, got7, RV, mamamoo all debuted in 2014 aka most 3rd gen groups later Gfriend, twice, OMG, monstax etc

EXO has always been 3rd gen they will always be. If u think otherwise, ure simply wrong and delusional. PERIOD

By that logic 3rd gen started in 2016. Exo is 3rd gen cause they started leading when older groups were mostly past their peak and other new groups started becoming more relevant. Bb and snsd were more like an exception

It doesn't matter that there were senior groups who were dominating. It's basically a new kpop generation when there is a new wave of rookies that bring change to the kpop scene (it has nothing to do with who's dominating). The idols from the 90's to early 2000s promoted and were marketed one way, the second wave of idols starting with TVXQ, Big Bang, Super Junior, SNSD, Wonder Girls, KARA and continued on with 2NE1, 2PM, 4Minute, Beast, After School, fx, SHINee, T-ara, Infinite, Miss A, SISTAR etc, were promoted a separate way. This was when "concepts" and extreme synchronized dancing became a thing. And many different styles (that were never done before) were introduced in to the Kpop scene. These were concepts and styles that were much different from the senior groups. That's why they were considered the 2nd gen of kpop. Because there was change, the industry evolved in to something different. This was Kpop's golden era.

And then in 2012, an abundance of groups like EXO, VIXX, BAP, NU'EST, AOA, EXID, Hello Venus, BTOB, Crayon Pop, Cross Gene, Spica, Fiestar, EVOL, Glam, etc came into the kpop scene, and they brought change once again. And all of these were just groups that debuted within that one year. There's more. BTS in 2013, GOT7, Red Velvet and Mamamoo in 2014, GFriend, Seventeen, Monsta X and Twice in 2015, Blackpink and NCT in 2016 are also part of this wave. They have similar styles to their sunbaes but are all elevated versions (same formulas but with extra spice). Some of these groups were also somewhat revolutionary (like VIXX/BAP/Monsta X's style and concepts, EXO/BTS/GOT7/Seventeen's performances, AOA and EXID pushing boundaries for sexy concepts etc).I really think this era was Kpop's peak. From 2012-2016. And then it started slowing down in the next couple of years.

And I think it's fair to say we're kind of transitioning into the 4th gen. Or some may argue we're already there (since 2019). With the new wave of rookies that are being introduced into the world of Kpop now.

Because EXO revived the physical market

Because EXO is 3rd gen

Quote from Slayurfaves

they are more 2.5 gen but people consider them 3 gen now

Quote from Slayurfaves

I think 3rd gen started in 2013/14 if it wasn't for BTS I would have said 2014

winner, got7, RV, mamamoo all debuted in 2014 aka most 3rd gen groups later Gfriend, twice, OMG, monstax etc

Yep.

Groups up till 2014 were actually still regarded 2nd gen when it was actually still the 1st half of the 2010s, only the past few years this whole gen thing transformed to 3rd gen starting from 2012

For us long time kpop fans, EXO is considered the beginning of third gen. They are referred to 2.5 since they kind of ushered in the new era, and many 2nd gen groups were still thriving.

Quote from Zenning

YES!!!

I've been saying that for AGES!! Finally some people remembered!!!

2011 to 2014/2015 was regarded as late 2nd gen or gen 2.5, yet somehow that changed the past few years for the sole reason to include EXO in the 3rd gen era

That sheer impact that EXO had, expediting the demise of 2nd gen era and the rise of 3rd gen era with 3 whole years  

Display More

I thought it’s because SM stans love to change their idols’ gen to fit their narrative. Exo can’t compete with Bigbang and SNSD to they are 3rd gen. NCT can’t compete with BTS so they are 4th gen.

I’m seeing a pattern here.