What's the difference between 'most/top popular girl' and 'it girl'?

    I feel like an "IT girl" has the most attention, like brand endorsements, articles written about them. They're typically considered fashion icons. Some of that attention could be negative tabloid stuff though.


    This often correlates with the "most popular" celebrity, but not always. Popularity could be measured in other ways like chart success, talent, career longevity, and likability.


    For example I would consider IU to be in the "most popular" category, but not an "IT girl". Jennie is an "IT girl" with all her endorsements and social media followers, but her career doesn't have that much going on and she isn't universally liked with all her scandals.

    Quote from oldschool29

    I feel like an "IT girl" has the most attention, like brand endorsements, articles written about them. They're typically considered fashion icons. Some of that attention could be negative tabloid stuff though.


    This often correlates with the "most popular" celebrity, but not always. Popularity could be measured in other ways like chart success, talent, career longevity, and likability.


    For example I would consider IU to be in the "most popular" category, but not an "IT girl". Jennie is an "IT girl" with all her endorsements and social media followers, but her career doesn't have that much going on and she isn't universally liked with all her scandals.

    As someone said, the problem with those criteras is that there still is the constant that is IU if one doesnt view the term as being more of a transient thing.


    As the term is very much a domestic thing, IU has more articles written, more and bigger cf deals, more followers etc etc than any other female celebrity in korea. Granted, one of the few criterias she might not top is the fashion icon one.

    Quote from rubyjanes

    I think they are just synonyms, but IT girl does come with the connotation of being a trend setter (which most #1 popular female celebrities would be)

    Quote from Kreatin

    As someone said, the problem with those criteras is that there still is the constant that is IU if one doesnt view the term as being more of a transient thing.


    As the term is very much a domestic thing, IU has more articles written, more and bigger cf deals, more followers etc etc than any other female celebrity in korea. Granted, one of the few criterias she might not top is the fashion icon one.

    Quote from oldschool29

    I feel like an "IT girl" has the most attention, like brand endorsements, articles written about them. They're typically considered fashion icons. Some of that attention could be negative tabloid stuff though.


    This often correlates with the "most popular" celebrity, but not always. Popularity could be measured in other ways like chart success, talent, career longevity, and likability.


    For example I would consider IU to be in the "most popular" category, but not an "IT girl". Jennie is an "IT girl" with all her endorsements and social media followers, but her career doesn't have that much going on and she isn't universally liked with all her scandals.

    It's hard to define it, because how 'It Girl' is used nowadays isn't the same as it was used in older times like past century or early beginnings of this century, and I also get the feeling that how 'It Girl' is used related to K-pop isn't the same as how it's used in western media. It makes me even wonder whether Koreans themselves use the term 'It Girl' for their idols and celebs, and if so, if it isn't just on niche sites like Pann.


    I think 'It Girl' overlaps for the most part with 'most popular girl/idol/celeb', but that with 'It Girl' there's more of a focus on the idol or celeb being young and a fashion and trend icon. Particularly those last parts there'll be differences in people's interpretation of 'It Girl'.


    Because to some IU for example answers to all of the requirements of being an 'It Girl', while others won't see her as an 'It Girl' while still acknowledging that she's 1 of the most popular artists/celebs in South Korea.

    Here check this out - Google trends for the last 5 years.

    And you can play around adding/removing your candidates for the "it" girl/popular girl.


    https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=today%205-y&geo=KR&q=%2Fm%2F0xs92nk,Irene,%2Fm%2F0h7mz1k,%2Fm%2F0fr0bhg


    pasted-from-clipboard.png


    Both by such reference trends, by actual consumption of music, by Commercial endorsements - Soju or others.

    IU is the wall in S.Korea.


    Goan digital IU vs. BTS vs. BlackPink

    forum.allkpop.com/suite/attachment/166151/



    Only reason why she can't be considered "it" is because she has been "it" for so long, while "It"-ness is supposed to be only for the latest-recent entrants to extreme fame, that should change quickly within 1-2 years.

    I think it girls at least based on brand reputation applies more to female idols IU isn't an idol

    Quote from Slayurfaves

    IU isn't an idol

    That is yet another never ending debate - what is an "idol" and is "IU" an idol or not?.

    As poorly defined as the "it" ness.


    If only groups, they Taeyeon, Sunmi are not idols now, nor should the solo records of BTS members be considered.

    But if based on the idol training system and associated contracting, then IU comes from the same system, therefore an idol.


    There is simply no consensus on that. So think what you may.

    IU has never been considered an idol tho she is a singer song writer if you ask a Korean they will tell you that lol they will actually get offended


    Taeyeon and Sumni are solo singers but they are idols same with Somi.


    if IU were considered an idol she would be included in the brand reputation but she isn't for a reason, so I don't think she should be included in this discussion she is an artist she is above idols Gallup influential artists would be made more sense since artists and idols are included. there.

    Quote from Slayurfaves

    a Korean


    Quote from Slayurfaves

    included in the brand reputation

    A Korean or million statistically means nothing.

    Neither is whatever Brand Reputation Ranking you are referring to.


    I googled and there separate rankings for BGs, GGs, and singers - the singer ranking includes groups and soloists, So in no way helps to decide whether someone is an idol or not.

    Unless you say that an idol has to be part of a group.

    https://www.s00mpi.com/article/1509490wpp/january-singer-brand-reputation-rankings-announced-2#


    But anyway I am not interested in this subject, for this has been going on forever.


    I consider her an idol and per her latest video, she considers herself an idol. Yes, many Koreans, including influential ones like YHY consider her as more than an idol, in the sense that she has expanded her repertoire and not is the sense that she is not an idol.


    So that is good enough for me. She is an Idol + many things.

    Edited once, last by bbgc ().

    Quote from Slayurfaves

    IU has never been considered an idol tho she is a singer song writer if you ask a Korean they will tell you that lol they will actually get offended


    Taeyeon and Sumni are solo singers but they are idols same with Somi.


    if IU were considered an idol she would be included in the brand reputation but she isn't for a reason, so I don't think she should be included in this discussion she is an artist she is above idols Gallup influential artists would be made more sense since artists and idols are included. there.

    IU was definitly considered an idol in the first 3-4 years in her career, until she started writing her own music.


    (Personally i think any celebrity that cultivates a fandom, have their own merch, fanclub etc can be considered to be an idol)


    I dont get the point about brand reputation either, IT girl was a thing way before they were created and is not exclusive to idols.

    Quote from Kreatin

    IU was definitly considered an idol in the first 3-4 years in her career, until she started writing her own music.


    (Personally i think any celebrity that cultivates a fandom, have their own merch, fanclub etc can be considered to be an idol)


    I dont get the point about brand reputation either, IT girl was a thing way before they were created and is not exclusive to idols.

    We discussed elsewhere about 'fan service' being the identifier for an "idol". On that basis IU is still very ambiguous case.


    After Good Day 2010, she had her fans - Uncle fans etc., but she seems to have deliberately broken that image - admitting to have consume porn, Eunhyuk photo upload etc.

    And took creative control by 2015.


    Then she flips back, formalizes her fandom in 2017, ramps up the fanservice etc.


    However her attitude towards fans still seems “I’m only providing entertainment and I can leave anytime I want to. if you want to stan me then thank you for your support. if you’re not, I don't care much either”

    That is why her relationship with Jang Kiha had no impact.


    Whereas other idols tend to given an impression ” I will always be here for you, feeding your fantasies. Whenever you need me you can always come find me. you can trust me to never leave your side.” Hence dating is scandalous for most idols.


    It is a mix of many things,

    1. Extent Creative control

    2. Extent of fan service

    3. Extent to which they commoditize the lifestyle for consumption as against just artistic output.

    Just found out that Kim Sejeong also has done Soju CFs.


    So maybe this list should be further trimmed to just the market leaders - top 5 or so


    And Sejeong like cases, are immensely popular, but in a different way from the 'It' ness,

    Quote from bbgc

    Just found out that Kim Sejeong also has done Soju CFs.

    Brave Girls has done soju commercials as well, for a brand called 좋은데이 (Good Day), which is apparently popular in the southern parts of South Korea.


    External Content www.youtube.com
    Content embedded from external sources will not be displayed without your consent.
    Through the activation of external content, you agree that personal data may be transferred to third party platforms. We have provided more information on this in our privacy policy.

    I could be wrong, but I think IU's the only solo artist that didn't come from an idol group, that has been named an idol for years.


    Maybe it's because the type of pop music she makes has that K-pop vibe, or because she herself has that idol aura?


    Quote from dummi

    I always thought it was all the same

    That's what I thought too.


    Or maybe better said, I thought 'it girl' was nothing but an outdated, old fashioned term, that only got repurposed in K-pop so that K-pop fans could brag about their biases by sticking the 'it girl' stamp on them, whether deserved or not, and also to circumvent the 'most popular' rankings when other idols besides their biases top the popularity rankings.


    Or like how an article 'how K-pop reinvented the terms It Boy and It Girl' stated:

    'The terms “it boy” and “it girl” are making a comeback often used to identify the K-pop idols who are considered icons in the industry. I know what you’re thinking. “No one even uses that term anymore!” Looking those words up in search engines would yield results that date to more than five years ago.'


    While the varying usage of the term is extremely subjective and sus and while it overlaps a lot with high popularity, I get the sense that it also entails allure, magnetism and fashion. Or like some other articles and sites mentioned, 'An It boy or girl in K-pop is an idol with visuals that appeal to all genders and an attractive personality'. Other indicators seem to be having a lot of CFs, preferrably Soju CFs (?), and high recognition and favoribility among the public.

    Quote from Kreatin

    Only three models have been with Chamisul for more than one year, and only IU more than two, currently on her seventh year.

    And Chamisul extends with IU again.


    It goes against pretty much most advertising trends of products like Soju, not to select a fresh young and trending face, instead stick with a much familiar, aging (for the profession) person.


    She is un-toppable.

Participate now!

Don’t have an account yet? Register yourself now and be a part of our community!

Register Yourself Login