We're really doing this again? All right then.
What is so hard to grasp about the concept that you can be a top tier group without being the top group of your generation?
During second generation, no other girl group was remotely close to SNSD's album sales, but do we say groups like Wonder Girls, 2NE1 and Kara were mid tier?
During fourth generation, NewJeans absolutely obliterates their peers across nearly every metric, and internationally, they are light years ahead of any other girl group. Do you see even me calling them the only top tier girl group?
I have never, not even once, said that Red Velvet sold as many albums as Twice or that they had as big of a fandom, but it is absolutely STUPID to say they were a mid tier group in third generation. They were absolutely a top tier group. By most people's opinions, they were the third biggest girl group of their entire generation.
HOW IS THAT NOT TOP TIER?
If a girl group has the biggest girl group song of the year, not once, but TWICE, they are absolutely not a mid tier group. Any group can have a viral hit like Bboom Bboom or Rollin'. Sustained great digitals over a long period of time is what makes you a top tier girl group.
I don't know why people keep ignoring all other metrics that clearly indicate Red Velvet is a top tier group, while thinking the obvious observation that their fandom isn't as big as Twice's contradicts that fact. No shit, everyone.
Red Velvet was still the most followed girl group on MelOn, had two of the biggest hit songs of their generation, is top 5 all time in #1 monthly songs on MelOn, and a whole assortment of achievements their fans could probably bring to the table--they absolutely were a top tier group. That does not mean they're as popular as Twice.
That's literally not how a tier system works. Within each tier, you can have someone at the bottom or the top of said tier.
Hopefully this is the last time someone tries to tell me who the top groups were in third generation. I know as well or better than anyone here. That's my damn generation of K-Pop. I was IN KOREA in 2017 and 2018. Red Velvet was EVERYWHERE.
Let's put this discussion to rest.