I feel like we’re beginning to see the torch being passed for girl groups (with the rise of Aespa, Itzy and StayC) but I don’t think we’re near that point for boy groups just yet.
I know there will come a point where BTS no longer is the popular boy group among the 10-20 set of fan girls (it’s inevitable, the members themselves are getting older and Army is getting older with them), but I don’t see that happening for a few more years.
The rise of kpop internationally makes this more complicated with the introduction of new markets and new fans. BTS and BlackPink are not new groups within the kpop industry, but they must seem “new” in certain places in the world.
However, I think 4th gen is on its way up. The groups who debuted in 2018-2019 are unfortunately in an awkward place bc I think they came onto the scene a bit too early to take over.