what is more important? being big in just korea or globally?

    example:


    aespa and itzy


    just noted that itzy streams are higher despite having NO national hit in 2021 since they have bigger globally

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    None is doing well enough to be considered big. Do it longer and consistently and then we can talk.


    Kpoppoes have such low standards

    Korea.


    But you will never definitively be the #1 without both

    Korea. It's KPOP.


    There's only 2 groups where global matters. BTS and Blackpink.


    Spotify is just one metric, and certainly not the most important one.

    Korea. Only people whose faves are flops in Korea will say global popularity which is nugu level.

    Only bp and bts have global stardom

    having good music

    Itzy and aespa is a awful example none have popularity internationally lol if you ask any random person on the street who any of them are it'll be very awkward but if you ask anyone in Korea who they are they'll be able to tell you therefore Korea is always better unless you're on BTS level

    But Korea started paying bts attention once they got big internationally so isnt having global popularity better?

    in any case you need to have at least a decent sized fandom in Korea

    but international fame, it doesn't even need do be BTS/BP level, is also useful cause touring brings in a lot of money

    Well it depends. I would say that having a global popularity is better since global means multiple countries. Being very popular all over the world > being popular in just one country while being nobody to the rest of the world.


    I think groups themselves prefer the global popularity too. I mean, years ago you'd ask them what's their goal and they'd say a daesang. Now they say it's to chart on billboard. It shows how their priorities have shifted and how the international popularity and success have become more valuable.


    The best scenario is having both an international success and domestic one which is something only bts and blackpink have accomplished so far

    I'd say Korea is most important. No k-pop idol is going to have a long term career overseas unless they speak fluent Japanese and somehow get popular there (DBSK route). Otherwise, it's a crap shoot. CF deals, endorsements, acting opportunities and anything that could lead to an idol being set for life is in their home country.


    Except for BTS and BlackPink, the k-pop groups who are "popular" globally aren't really all that popular. Besides a small group of dedicated fans, most kpop groups are complete nugus everywhere else.


    also, I think being popular in Korea and getting exposure that way helps international popularity. it's not a one way street.

    I don't think there is a definitive answer as the idols goals matter. While it's true getting known in korea means you might have chances in the future if group disbands, having a lot of fans all over the world means touring and that A LOT of money, profits are even higher than album sales

    There's no real definite answer and like above said, depends on the idols and labels goals.

    Like, aespa for example probably don't have to worry too much about international stuff too much right now, they are BIG in Korea and that is great for them.

    Then you have groups like Dreamcatcher, who don't do well at all in Korea, but do amazingly by comparison Internationally, which is probably keeping them (and their label) afloat. When international touring becomes a thing again, things will probably be even better for them.

    Also, having a large, solid International fanbase is a good backup when the fickle, touchy Korean gp get cranky at a group. Stray Kidz and Itzy are great examples here. They had either scandals last year or their honeymoon period ended with the gp and the gp found a newer, younger group to play with. But their International fandoms help keep them afloat and actually do better and better. A nice side earner profits wise as well.

    Big globally means more money, but only BTS is big globally.

    Quote from Blanched Ginger & Honey Mammoth (428)

    There's no real definite answer and like above said, depends on the idols and labels goals.

    Like, aespa for example probably don't have to worry too much about international stuff too much right now, they are BIG in Korea and that is great for them.

    Then you have groups like Dreamcatcher, who don't do well at all in Korea, but do amazingly by comparison Internationally, which is probably keeping them (and their label) afloat. When international touring becomes a thing again, things will probably be even better for them.

    Also, having a large, solid International fanbase is a good backup when the fickle, touchy Korean gp get cranky at a group. Stray Kidz and Itzy are great examples here. They had either scandals last year or their honeymoon period ended with the gp and the gp found a newer, younger group to play with. But their International fandoms help keep them afloat and actually do better and better. A nice side earner profits wise as well.


    Your examples literally point out why it's more important to be bigger in Korea.


    Dreamcatcher is still nugu level, even though they do well internationally. Same can be said for Loona. Is anyone really going to rank them on a who's who's of girl groups above the likes of Apink or Gfriend who have 0 international fandom? I don't think so.


    Itzy is currently the punching bag of KPOP. They wouldn't be treated like this if they had better charting in Korea.


    SKZ are also not considered to be in the top tier of guy groups.

    The only people who care about Korea are kpop fans and Koreans. The goal should be making music that appeals to everyone, not just Koreans. There's a reason why kpop companies before BTS paved the way to the west, focused on China and Japan, Korea doesn't pay the bills like you think it does.

    EXO did pretty well in Korea and Japan.


    So no, You can be a thing in Korea, China and Japan.


    Bts are not the only stars, come on now. They are big in the US and Asia. Maybe England because of the hybe.


    Twice is selling concerts in the US, so is Epik High (not kpop), Monsta X, Eric Nam etc in Europe, G-idle and Stray kids in Dubai in january and I bet you bands like TXT, Enhypen, Seventeen, NCT ect would sell tickets too.

    Despite not making english songs that is and going on James Corden every other day.

    So your point of why Korea is more important is If a group is bigger than other and ranking higher by K-pop fans during comparisons?

    I'm not the right person to say If one is better than other. I agree It depends on the groups' goals. If they want to be relevant in Korea and don't care about anything else, okay. Then, It's more important for that group. If they are satisfied with their music spread wherever It gets attention and being recognized, even If outside Korea, It's okay too. In the end of the day, It's their career.

    globally, Korea is a small country compared to the whole world. If you have more fanbase globally, who can actually buy albums & merchs, go to concerts, then it is better for the artists Kpop is a product that they hope to sell outside Korea. The world is getting global now . To limit your success in one country with less than 60 million population is being short-sighted. Hybe is doing the right thing in trying to win the global audience . Korea is just the icing on the cake.

    Since when did becoming famous in one country better than globally? It doesnt make sense money wise and number wise. Also, to say that you cant be a global superstar if you are not super famous in Korea is being ridiculous. There are some famous artists in Korea that will never go global simply because their music is too “ Korean” or simply lack global charm. But it can be a reverse too, Knetz have different taste in music that sometimes do not suit the global audience or vice versa. Going global is obviously way bigger in everything. That’s the future! Nobody lives in the past, We all aim for what’s ahead of us.

    Korea


    none of the stream that Itzy have bring them money, and even if their streams are high their fanbase is growing slowly in comparison of a GG like Aespa who have already big sales even with low streams internationnally

    so what's the point of having big stream, if these people aren't even ready to buy your music and product


    also even if streams are great, they are nobody for the public internationnally so it'll lead to nowhere their big streams


    and last but not least, having success in Korea give you more longevity as a group,

    International fans are interested in new things, so when 4th gen gg will be older they stop listening to them for the new groups

    and then this group will have to focus on korea to try to build a career as solo or not but considering that they were too busy focusing on international chart, they'll be nobody in korea

    korea 100%, just look at aespa and everglow, having a big kfandom can help generate in a lot of income from album sales etc

    Let's put popularity, achievements, success, recognition and the wish of the artists themselves aside.


    Looking at it from the money spectrum it's much better to be popular globally. Global success means high physical sales, amazing touring and dedicated fandom that will follow you no matter what. The PAKs on melon won't give you half the money the physical albums can. The #1 on flo and vibe won't secure your fave's future, the tours will do. Most of the time when we talk about domestic popularity it's about general public liking a specific group's music. They don't stan, they're just casual listeners. As people pointed out earlier, the gp drops groups easily. When the gp drops you then you have to rely on something and without having an international success, you will struggle - money wise, popularity wise etc

    Agree. Bigger physical sales mean bigger fandom. You cannot be a million seller if your fandom is cincentrated in Korea . This is the reason why it’s mostly boygroups who sell more . I think only blankpink sold more than a million. The GP in KR is not as stable as dedicated and loyal fanbases around the globe. BTS becomes the King of Kpop not because of GP in Korea but because of their global fandom. Boy groups usually do not chart higher than GGs in Korea but they have bigger and stable fandom. It sells albums, concert tickets, covers, and merchs. The world is changing and charting in melon is not as prestigious as selling milllions of albums. Why do you think BP and BTS do not even bother to promote much in Korea. Again, digital charting in KR is just like a cherry on top of the ice cream. Focusing more on global success is the future.

    Quote from Baked Saffron Rabbit (639)

    Let's put popularity, achievements, success, recognition and the wish of the artists themselves aside.


    Looking at it from the money spectrum it's much better to be popular globally. Global success means high physical sales, amazing touring and dedicated fandom that will follow you no matter what. The PAKs on melon won't give you half the money the physical albums can. The #1 on flo and vibe won't secure your fave's future, the tours will do. Most of the time when we talk about domestic popularity it's about general public liking a specific group's music. They don't stan, they're just casual listeners. As people pointed out earlier, the gp drops groups easily. When the gp drops you then you have to rely on something and without having an international success, you will struggle - money wise, popularity wise etc

    We are not talking about spotify stream but physical sales, merchs and concerts . Itzy and Aespa nevel sold a million albums. For a GG , they are doing well in physical sales but they are not on top overall not even for 4th gen. . There are already a handful of bg who are a million seller . We dont know yet if they ( aespa/itzy) can hold a bigger crowd outside KR. It’s good that they are doing great in KR. And they can choose to focus in KR.


    But for others who are selling well ( physical sales, merchs, covers , spotify streams) but not charting in KR , it only tells you that the GP in KR are not too keen on BG esp the 4th Gen but the international fans/ globally love them. Bigger followers in social media platform, better engagement ( likes, replies ) , bigger sales and potentially can hold a concert internationally. Fandom are more loyal , more keen to do more, buy more than GP. That’s what usually brings money to the groups .

    The question isn't where you can make more money.


    It's what is more IMPORTANT.


    There are no kpop groups with a big enough global presence to be self sustained without being big in Korea first. Only BTS and Blackpink could be at this point in time and they were big in Korea first.


    Korea is the foundation you build from. LMAO at you clowns that think a Kpop group from Korea is going to be massively successful "globally" without any traction in Korea first.


    You ain't going to be promoting on music shows in Korea if you're a nobody.


    Brand and marketing opportunities don't just come knocking at your door when you are a nobody.


    There are plenty of examples out there.


    You can look at the likes of Everglow, Dreamcatcher, Loona, Rania vs Oh My Girl, Apink, GFriend. Or look at Speed, a bg that was popular in Japan but unknown in Korea. You can look at Kaachi a "kpop" group not from Korea.


    Being big in Korea is more important. Being big globally is the next level. If you can get to that level? Then yeah, you can make more bank. But people are absolutely deluding themselves if they think a group is going to be like BTS or Blackpink without an above average level of Korean success and popularity first.

    Things have changed. The success formula 10 yrs ago may not be the same today or the future. Aim for global success is possible without being a superstar in Korea . It could follow later. To make a sweeping statement that you need to be extremely successful in KR to make it big globally is not right. No one can compete with BTS right now but I think the 4th gen boy groups - SKZ, EN, TxT are moderately successful globally if you look at their album sales, spotify streams and fandom size . Lets see if they can do concerts when it becomes open and start mingling with fans.

    itzy is slightly better in international streams while itzy has huge gap to catch aespa in korea. Not good comparison

    Quote from Poached Light Beer Lamb (349)

    Things have changed. The success formula 10 yrs ago may not be the same today or the future. Aim for global success is possible without being a superstar in Korea . It could follow later. To make a sweeping statement that you need to be extremely successful in KR to make it big globally is not right. No one can compete with BTS right now but I think the 4th gen boy groups - SKZ, EN, TxT are moderately successful globally if you look at their album sales, spotify streams and fandom size . Lets see if they can do concerts when it becomes open and start mingling with fans.


    Calling me out for making a sweeping statement then making one yourself that "things have changed". Where? How?


    Not at you not providing any evidence supporting your claim and throwing out theoretical situations that haven't occurred yet.


    Please stop.

    Make it make sense please.

    Quote from Deep-Fried Red Whine Bear (686)

    Why don't all act as if itzy are some Global super group? I'm legit concerned.

    yeah tbh there's a huge difference between being ''big'' in the kpop bubble internationally and actually popular internationally (that even non-kpop fans know about the groups) the only two groups with actual popularity internationally are BTS and BP, ITZY and SKZ have the former type of popularity.

    being nr 1 in global streaming platforms is more important than being 1 in for example melon.. It's just not very realistic and if your song is 1 on spotify, it's 1 in korea too

    ??? Bunch of nonsense


    Groups don't have to be on bts' level of popularity to be considered successful. BTS can't and won't be reached anytime soon. Groups will be completely fine if they have the international popularity (even though it doesn't even come close to bts'). If groups sell millions of albums worldwide, if they sell out big venues during tours, if they have dedicated fans who will follow them and support them then that's completely enough. Their bank account will be overflowing with money, their future will be secure so just because they're never going to be on bts' level it doesn't mean we have to act like they're not benefiting greatly of their international success

    Quote from Poached Light Beer Lamb (349)

    Agree. Bigger physical sales mean bigger fandom. You cannot be a million seller if your fandom is cincentrated in Korea . This is the reason why it’s mostly boygroups who sell more . I think only blankpink sold more than a million. The GP in KR is not as stable as dedicated and loyal fanbases around the globe. BTS becomes the King of Kpop not because of GP in Korea but because of their global fandom. Boy groups usually do not chart higher than GGs in Korea but they have bigger and stable fandom. It sells albums, concert tickets, covers, and merchs. The world is changing and charting in melon is not as prestigious as selling milllions of albums. Why do you think BP and BTS do not even bother to promote much in Korea. Again, digital charting in KR is just like a cherry on top of the ice cream. Focusing more on global success is the future.

    Bts promoted in Korea for most of their career. Then Dynamite happened.

    Korea hands down - take BTS and Blackpink out of the equation because they have both domestic & global popularity and so far no one else is close to touching them internationally.


    Skz, itzy, even groups like svt and nct - international popularity is good for companies because it sells group albums, merch, and tours. No korean popularity means no domestic recognition, no individual cfs, no individual future. as soon as you age out of international fans' appetite for kpop (which will skew young & toward groups, not soloists), there's nothing left for you. name one person within skz, svt, nct etc who would be able to have a successful solo career based only on international popularity.

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