The heart and soul of Kpop and its future rests with Aespa, Itzy, Gidle, Loona, StayC, Everglow, Ive and now Kepler. I mean, just look at the literal bops and SOTY contenders they've produced in just two years. And these are just title songs, some of these groups have even better B sides.
Pirate, Dun Dun and Adios
Mafia, Icy, and Not Shy
Paint the Town, Why Not and Star
Uh Oh, OMG and Dumdi
Eleven
Wadada
So Bad
2021 was the first year that a 4th gen song ended up as the most popular idol group song. This is the turning, the beginning of the end of every remaining third gen group, and the rise of the next generation. The year began with Izone's death, and in retrospect, it seems like this was the necessary sacrifice of the most successful 4th gen group that had to be made to jumpstart the rest of the generation's rise to power. The year ends with Next Level sitting atop the throne and Eleven as the only group song sitting in the current top 10.
As a small aside, there is even some promise with BGs as well. SKZ, TXT and Ateez already make the best BG music by far and they still have many more years of music to come.
