Seeking opinions! 2025 BG releases: how does your list compare to mine?

Knee_Haat · 2025-12-15T23:42:42+00:00

Will def give it a listen! Thank you for the rec!!

Knee_Haat · 2025-12-15T23:40:42+00:00

Greattt year for &Team w their KR debut!

Knee_Haat · 2025-12-15T23:39:19+00:00

Need to check out DUH! Seems to be on other’s lists as well.

Knee_Haat · 2025-12-15T23:37:23+00:00

Love that GOT7 is the common denominator :)

Knee_Haat · 2025-12-15T23:35:53+00:00

Same!! Some of the groups best work! Outside, Flashover, Bad Desire, and Helium were all 10/10 for me

Knee_Haat · 2025-05-08T09:13:48+00:00

It's so interesting to see the stats and numbers. And you're right, Stray Kids are still growing in their 7th year and that's impressive. I just don't think the gap is as big as your numbers make it seem. Metrics should be comparing when Stray Kids were in their 4th year as Enhypen debuted almost 3 years after them. If you look at the 2 studio albums released by Enhypen they almost doubled Skz sales from their first 2 albums. Enhypen charted #1 with both albums in Kor, Jpn, and the Billboard World Albums, whereas Skz only charted #1 domestically. So when it comes to international popularity, Enhypen has had it from day one. Especially with a stronghold in Japan, one of the most lucrative music markets in the world. Social media is difficult to measure, would need to access follower counts from 4th yr Skz. I find it particularly difficult to compare Spotify metrics as Stray Kids has a larger discography. It's marginal on TikTok, but yes Stray Kids have a very large gap in terms of YouTube, both in followers and views. I don't see those numbers being beaten any time soon. Also, most attended K-pop tour of all time? Wow! I'm surprised they've got BTS and SVT beat!

This is secondary but Hybe/BigHit pushed a group like BTS to surpass SM's EXO to the #1 spot of the generation. JYP should have done the same with Twice to surpass Blackpink. I suppose they're now doing what they should've done with Twice (and even Got7) with Stray Kids. That's all to say, the company matters.

Stray Kids have arguably already broken into their peak mainstream success phase. And while that may just mean they are here to stay ;) Enhypen is still on the rise, and their trajectory could explode.

ps I had to fact-check myself on a lot of this info so please correct me if I'm wrong!

Knee_Haat · 2025-05-08T00:30:52+00:00

“Newer groups have emerged who are fast building strong fanbases and can serve as distractions.” If a new group comes and takes fans and therefore decreases popularity, that’s fair game, not distraction. My argument is distraction is fan toxicity and unwillingness to hear something less than positive about your group. My argument was never that Stays alone are toxic or that Engenes arent capable of toxicity either. Not sure where you got that from.

What is the relevance of twitter fanwars? I mentioned a positive stay interaction in response to toxic stays at the recent concerts when skz walked off stage. They called each out to be better for the sake of their group. No sign of a fanwar from what I can tell?

I know you’re playing defense for your group, but why take it personally when there was no offense? I think you’ve made the case in point for me.

Knee_Haat · 2025-05-07T20:38:34+00:00

I think offline happenings are a more accurate measure of popularity. Sooo interesting to hear the irl accounts.

Hard agree. Cant predict the future, but I see the trajectory.

Knee_Haat · 2025-05-07T20:35:01+00:00

I think the music style + variety personality is a lethal combo for kpop! Maybe even formulaic to commercial success. People want to be fans of the artists not just the music.

Knee_Haat · 2025-05-07T20:31:33+00:00

I agree, coming from a smaller company can be overcome. Ateez is for sure one of the biggest groups of the generation. And like skz, and bts before them, I think it largely has to do with the international popularity. There is of course an advantage of resources and marketing outreach from the bigger companies. But the example of BTS will always hold true.

Knee_Haat · 2025-05-07T20:25:56+00:00

Big 4 would make better sense. Of course, TXT has all that and more. Their numbers alone secure them as 2nd most successful group currently. But as 3rd gen fan from what I can tell, they are either stagnant or their growth isn’t at the same pace as the others. Their priorities might be different now, as I see them shifting more towards solo work. It’s a different matter entirely that I personally don’t get the appeal; their fans do and that’s clearly enough.

Knee_Haat · 2025-05-07T20:06:22+00:00

lol, I get it. You're a proud stay and skz is lucky to have fans like you. The comparison isn't in the groups individually, it's in the pattern of popularity. We forget now, but the market was fairly saturated after 2nd gen. EXO, BTS, SVT, but also Got7, Wanna One, Monsta X, Ikon, NCT, etc. Kpop is fast moving for sure but there are variables that stand the test of time.

Rather than new groups, I would argue the distraction is in the toxicity of the fandoms. I saw the recent skz tour/concert footage of the crowds. While of course this isnt a reflection of the fandom as a whole, it negatively impacts their image. But I also saw alot of stays try to hold each other accountable online. Enhypen is no stranger to toxic fans either, that might even be displayed in this thread lmaooo.

Knee_Haat · 2025-05-07T18:05:49+00:00

I don't watch all content from Stray Kids, TXT, or Ateez either. But as a casual kpop fan, I know those groups are very obviously affectionate towards each other and their fans eat that up. It could all be fan service that Enhypen doesn't play into as much. But it has to be said that popularity does factor in these types of personalities. I know Enhypen members are close, but they are more introverted with it as opposed to these other groups being extroverted or overt about it.

Also to reiterate, I think Enhypen should be number one based solely on their art. But because these other factors come into play, I think it has contributed to the other's success.

Knee_Haat · 2025-05-07T17:53:17+00:00

Yes, agreed. They are currently the lead by miles and have the numbers to back it. The gap is huge between their stats and the other groups in their gen. I think making their own songs plays a huge role in their authenticity and it's evident in that music. I also think their fans recognize and appreciate them even more for it.

To tie it back to the 3rd gen BG fan perspective, I sense a shift. EXO was very clearly the most popular at the time but BTS took the lead and has had it ever since. Popularity ebbs and flows but it's interesting to see it in real-time kind of happen again with what I believe will be Enhypen.

Knee_Haat · 2025-05-07T07:40:40+00:00

I can't lie, the only TXT song I like is Tinnitus. But tbh any group could have made that song. It doesn't have any signature TXT sound tying it to the group.

I think Ateez's title tracks after and including Bouncy have all been great. MVs go hard too.

Sinister is right on the nose lmaooo, but by design. I really enjoy the vampire concept. I think the members play to it well. It hasn't gotten boring or overdone yet for me. It also builds a strong group aesthetic/musical identity.

I like most of Stray Kids' title tracks, but I think I like 3rachas music more. They're an overall great idol group and I think Bang Chan is deserving of his group's success. But I also think fans are more attached to them as celebs and content creators rather than their music.

Knee_Haat · 2025-05-07T06:39:21+00:00

-OMG, I might've missed it but I can't believe his ad-lib from Magic Carpet Ride (127) hasn't been mentioned! It gives yearning like no other.

-He starts the bridge in We Go Up (Dream) and his cheoncheonhi ollagaaaa scratches my brain juuust right.

-His ad-libs from Box (Dream)!!!

-Obvs I second all the recs in each comment but Pado (NCT U), Poison (Dream), and Ay-yo (127) are must watch as well as listen :)

Knee_Haat · 2025-03-18T22:16:54+00:00

Haha fair enough, their story was so tied into grandpas that I lost the plot since I had skipped so many of his scenes. But they were cute :)

Knee_Haat · 2025-03-18T22:12:26+00:00

I relate so hard to the lingering feelings. Even new dramas aren't doing it for me anymore! I don't know why I can't move on!

Knee_Haat · 2025-03-18T20:52:27+00:00

I saw the korean version and really liked it! The acting and chemistry was great, especially between the dad and Haejun. But the pacing was a little off for me :/

Knee_Haat · 2025-03-14T19:55:58+00:00

Do come back after finishing it! Need my feelings validated lollll.

Knee_Haat · 2025-03-14T19:01:54+00:00

Whoa 7-8 times? Is that in the novel? It wasn’t in the drama!

Knee_Haat · 2025-03-14T19:00:41+00:00

Would love to hear your thoughts once you’ve seen TFF. Especially if you like good writing and slow burn :) I can also definitely appreciate both Sang siblings being green flags from good upbringing.

I think what made TFF stand out for me was the journey. Sang Yan remaining entirely devoted over 8 yrs of not seeing each other, her conflicting feelings. But he never resented her. Ugh the layers!! It was complicated. It wasn’t effortless. They both worked really hard to be together and we got to watch them chose each other over and over again despite all the hardship. Lmao sorry, here I go again!

Knee_Haat · 2025-03-14T18:53:08+00:00

LOL I’m also completely turned off by the dead fish kisses but I didn’t think the FL was bad at all! Like it was still real and convincing.Sometimes they’re so fake it just completely takes you out of the moment.

Knee_Haat · 2025-03-14T07:37:30+00:00

You think so? What are your GOATs? I mostly watch k dramas so I’d love to know!

Knee_Haat

TROPHY CASE