I mean in terms of legacy or earning respect, not in making money.
Lately having strong digitals seems like one and only condition for a group to be seen as successful and respected among non-fans, but it really wasn't much different before 4th gen and covid - people have always put so much more importance on digital charts, if someone increased sales rapidly people called sajaegi/bulkbuyers and didnt care.
YG used to be notorious for terrible physicals but they were always respected because they did so well in charts. SM groups however, only TVQX are generally respected among non-fans, EXO still gets so much shit for not charting well, no one cares about them reviving physical market, growl is their only saving grace. NCT is constantly ridiculed for not having hits or streams. BGs just arent respected unless they have charting to back then up. Same as all newly debuted GGs.
So, ig my point is ...are there any groups that lack/ed good charting, but you find them respected among kpop community in general and think they will have strong legacy in future? To me it seems like groups don't truly earn respect from kpop fans unless they have hits with GP/lots of casual listeners.