Midway in to 4th gen why is gen 3 not stopping ?

Quote from 2techs

these generations keep getting tigher and tighter. 1st and 2nd gen never coexisted so why do 2nd/3rd/4th all exist at the same time? I guess this is the golden age of kpop.

I actually agree with this take!

Quote from Ves

Apparently not when she leaves this:

Aight, I'll have my altar people reach their altar people.

We'll solve it one way or another

Quote from Ves

wish I could mark this as the best answer

And to actually leave an answer, because the question is actually interesting.

Ignoring the jabs at OP and everything else.

I believe first and second generation were a lot more immersed and not known outside SK.

There were a few breakouts: Wonder girls, BoA, TVXQ, PSY etc...

But the difference was not that big. And K-pop started to get known.

But not as much.

And as much as others would like to deny them, BTS broke the mould and just did it.

After that people started noticing the SK scene, the Hallyu wave.

K-dramas, K-films, K-food. All getting huge accolades in the world.

They got Oscars, Michelin stars, top 1 on Netflix etc. And not just one time.

Quote from alexS

And to actually leave an answer, because the question is actually interesting.

Ignoring the jabs at OP and everything else.

I believe first and second generation were a lot more immersed and not known outside SK.

There were a few breakouts: Wonder girls, BoA, TVXQ, PSY etc...

But the difference was not that big. And K-pop started to get known.

But not as much.

And as much as others would like to deny them, BTS broke the mould and just did it.

After that people started noticing the SK scene, the Hallyu wave.

K-dramas, K-films, K-food. All getting huge accolades in the world.

They got Oscars, Michelin stars, top 1 on Netflix etc. And not just one time.

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And to get back to the point.

Why are 2,3,4th gen idols mashed together?

Because 1st gen are a bit too old to tour, they have families etc.

2nd gen are just at the right age to perform at the top of their craft.

But I expect them to retire in a few years or so.

3rd gen are the creme of the crop.

Best selling 3rd gen groups (and you know who they are) will outsell arenas and stadiums.

4th gen is what is actually interesting to me.

We are seeing amazing numbers both in digitals and album sales.

Quote from alexS

And to get back to the point.

Why are 2,3,4th gen idols mashed together?

Because 1st gen are a bit too old to tour, they have families etc.

2nd gen are just at the right age to perform at the top of their craft.

But I expect them to retire in a few years or so.

3rd gen are the creme of the crop.

Best selling 3rd gen groups (and you know who they are) will outsell arenas and stadiums.

4th gen is what is actually interesting to me.

We are seeing amazing numbers both in digitals and album sales.

Display More

Conclusion on 4th gen?

I think that companies have evolved (yes, evolved) to the point that through many years of screwing up,

they got to the point that they learned from "most" of their mistakes.

So their trainees are better than trainees ten years ago.

Their trainers are more experienced.

And the companies are investing more into their groups.

Quote from Haolat

This is wrong. Kpop was already known in SEA and some other Asian countries in 2nd gen.

and out of those only Japan was the one that was actually the market that had big sales.

Quote from Haolat

Doesn't matter whether they had sales or not, people already listening to kpop in various Asian countries in 2nd gen. Sales also depend on the distribution network, which is better today compared to 2nd gen.

Yes I agree, hence my last post.

That's why they are separated between gens.

But gen 2 and 3 are getting the big bucks thanks to that.

With gen 4 pretty much leading the charge.