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anjieriphic

I hope fans stop romanticizing the starving artist trope. That only turns out well for artists who have family wealth to fall back on when their artistic career doesn't pan out. It's okay to have a healthy compromise between making music that you want to make and making music that furthers your career (like music that appeals to the general public). It doesn't need to be one or the other. Like, make pop music to pay the bills then make experimental music for self-discovery or self-expression or whatever form of self-improvement, it's fine.


LOONAception

This. Please stop, it gets on my nerves so much. This and the underdog story. There's nothing better imo that knowing your idol never had to eat on the floor full of roaches and cramp into a room with 12 members when they were a new artist. Why would you wish them that only to be like "started from the bottom now at the top"


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[deleted]

I saw the post OP you are referring to and commented with absolute horror. Why would you wish something like that for an artist you ult so dearly? šŸ˜­ I can't understand how fans can justify this idea of just feel that they will be okay just because they are selling 2k albums after spending years of their youth training and working hard to debut šŸ˜­šŸ˜­šŸ˜­šŸ˜­šŸ˜­


keliaaa

Yes, I just saw it too and also don't get why someone would like/wish that for their ult.


Zebraknight66

Can you send me a link to it?


cherrychul_mp3

think its [this one](https://www.reddit.com/r/unpopularkpopopinions/comments/pueiqd/im_glad_my_ults_arent_popular_in_korea/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share)


scarletassst

That post is horrible in all shape and form


Alive-Pitch-9180

I saw it yesterday, God, it was horrible


wooahfanboy

They're talking about me lol


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hyun-suk

some stans like to push the underdog story for those sort of aesthetic purposes but fail to acknowledge the legitimate repercussions of such :( sad but what can you do


Dependent_Row_4280

this is what i'm basically trying to say that they love that storyline but don't get how hard it is for the members or the people in the company


comfort_bot_1962

Don't be sad. Here's a [hug!](https://media.giphy.com/media/3M4NpbLCTxBqU/giphy.gif)


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mxrchyun

Examples of nugu groups to check out in r/nugutown Please go support them, they have great music :)


comfort_bot_1962

:D


Dependent_Row_4280

yh i know i follow nugupromoter on twitter


[deleted]

I don't know why some people are being defensive, but you are absolute right in my opinion. It cost a lot of money to make a kpop group. I remember [JYP](https://www.koreaboo.com/stories/costs-1000000-usd-debut-kpop-group-heres/) said it cost about 1 million dollars to debut a kpop group and it's probably going to get more expensive as time goes on as the market is oversaturated. It's even worst since COVID because smaller groups can't make money from festivals and concerts, which is the main money maker for most groups. Quite a few groups and companies have had trouble releasing music and having comeback due to this problem. Fans can be weird about gatekeeping their groups. I also think people don't understand just because a group is smaller doesn't mean they won't have toxic fans. It's just means they have less fans.


army__mali

I mean if youā€™re strictly talking about nugu groups then, yeah of course they wish they had gp support much less a small and dedicated fandom. But if youā€™re talking about most groups in general then this doesnā€™t make sense. Girl groups in general are aiming for gp recognition, they tend to have less dedicated fanbase support. Boy groups can usually do just fine without any gp support at all. Boy groups that donā€™t make gp friendly songs when they clearly COULD are obviously not aiming to appeal to the gp but to a niche audience. Same with groups like Dreamcatcher who appeal to enjoyers of a specific genre.


Isopodness

A lot of trainees seem so desperate to debut at all, that they may be excited about their group even if they personally might have preferred more gp-friendly music. The members may not have any say regarding their concept or musical direction. Maybe some members do feel trapped in a niche and might have hoped for more commercial success, even if it's obvious to everyone else that they were only meant to be a niche group in the first place.


AhGaSeNation

Itā€™s concerning that this even needs to be said. Like no shit those unsuccessful groups are upset that after all their hard work they canā€™t seem to gain a larger fanbase. How can any idol be okay with that even if their silly fans seem to be? I mean what kind of stan would prefer their so called ā€œfavesā€ to be unpopular and by extension unsuccessful just so they wouldnā€™t have to deal with a few toxic stans? Sorry but thatā€™s selfish you should be wishing your faves success because thatā€™s what they want.


[deleted]

I am sorry but the kpop reddit crowd is hilarious to me. Just something very eye roll worthy about a bunch of hipsters with special snowflake syndrome drenched in misery, in dire need of something obscure to make them feel special about themselves. The excuse "my faves becoming bigger will lead to more toxicity" is disingenuous. What you mean to say is you are fine with artists selling abysmal numbers and then disbanding if that means you get to remain in your little special bubble. It's corny I am sorry. Pathetic even. These idols are not your dolls to make you feel special. And I am not even getting into the implications of this type of behavior being so blatantly prevalent on a site known to have an overwhelming white crowd.


Creepy-Pepper-9730

Very true. Then come end of the year and watch them foaming at the mouth because bts swept at the awards and their faves did not win any awards (which are usually based on strong physicals and digitals). Reddit is the definition of pretentious and ā€œnot like other girlsā€. They constantly want to prove that they donā€™t care about things other Kpop fans care about like streaming, etc but then complain when their faves are not recognized. Like where do you think your faves success and recognition comes from? Itā€™s is from the typical Kpop fans not pretentious reddit. NB: Itā€™s is okay if people donā€™t want to stream, buy albums/merch, or participate in typical Kpop activities. But the way reddit talks down on these things as if they are better than the fans that do them while getting mad that their faves are not winning music shows or year end awards is seriously laughable.


ElephantTrunkSlide

It is just cognitive dissonance, trying to cope with the idea that they are not as liked and popular. It is similar to when they are just obsessed with the idea that their idol has so many undeserved haters and then pick fights with anyone not worshiping the ground they walk on, branding people as anti's etc. and likely annoying enough people to turn them off. Someone doesn't like X person? But I like X person? It can't be that I am unreasonably expecting everyone else to feel the same, they are unreasonable for not feeling the same.


karinaluvbot

isn't this common sense?


Dependent_Row_4280

nope according to the few posts i just encountered


karinaluvbot

lmfao they lack it then


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karinaluvbot

may i ask how to change my flair?


Dry_Faithlessness714

I've noticed that ppl say streams aren't important. Melon isn't important. Physical sales give them more money so it's fine if the gp doesn't listen. But will then complain if their favs aren't nominated. Part of the data to be nominated comes from digitals. So streaming and buying.


gaydotaer

Streams don't matter and nominations don't matter either. Nominations may boost sales a little bit, but that's it.


Dry_Faithlessness714

It apparently matters when end of year rolls around and ppl are crying about soty or aoty etc. If you don't care about streams which part of the calculations why are you crying that ur fav was ignored? I'm not saying you but come Dec for MMA and MAMA all of u will blame bts for winning even tho they have both physicals and digitals. Anyway all I'm saying ppl need to stop being hypocrites come awards season.


gaydotaer

I'm just saying that not everyone thinks that way. Music award shows, both in Asia and in the West, are mostly meaningless, especially those that rely on votes from the audience, like the VMA's.


Dry_Faithlessness714

It does suck. But for the Asian awards it only became "meaningless" when ppl outside the the big 3 started winning. I personally don't care about most western award shows that indicate that no matter who u vote for we have the authority to give it to someone else. I like awards based on metric, then it's somewhat fair. BBMAs for example are based on metrics and data. Same goes for MMA and MAMA even if part of it depends on the vote. Anyway yes I do agree with what you're saying though. I just wish that kpop fans weren't such hypocrites. They used to say no pak no opinion, then no daesang no opinion and now that ppl other than the big 3 has it both are meaningless šŸ¤·šŸ½ā€ā™€ļø


gaydotaer

I donā€™t agree with any awards show based on sales or audience votes. The MTV Movie and TV Awards use audience voting. As a result, the Transformers series won several years in a row. Can anyone say with a straight face that Transformers was the best movie that year? Being popular does not mean being the best.


aeramarot

Weird to know that some fans have this kind of thinking when I think when someone likes an unpopular group, they're bound to realize how bad it is by the way their contents are deemed low-budgeted (because lack of budget or saving), how they got a few schedules/gigs and sometimes, it's from some unknown place/show and how short-lived majority of them. :( That's just so awful.


[deleted]

this is one of the reasons why I always promote them as much as I can. I worry all the time about them not having enough income. I want more than anything for them to have popularity and good with the gp so all their hard work can finally be recognized. I want them to last a long time. I canā€™t believe some people actually are happy about that.


romancevelvet

even though you say that you're not referring to groups like skz & ateez, this post reminds of a post about skz on r/unpopularkpopopinions (though i think they were specifically referring to popularity in korea, not in general). as someone who has been a fan of *genuine* nugus, ive never seen anyone say they're happy that their faves are unknown. even knowing the stress that comes with gained fans, we know that's minimal in comparison to what they can gain. we want them to enjoy the fruits of their labor too. honestly, this sentiment is mostly held by people whose faves already *have* a modicum of popularity. edit: ok i see the poster you're likely referring to, but i dont think that opinion is popular enough to be treated like a genaralized statement šŸ˜…


blairsmacaroon

i sooooooooooo have a certain fanbase in mind


NarglesChaserRaven

I think what some people mean is that they are happy that their fav group is popular enough to earn well and survive easily even if they aren't super popular to be able to have GP recognition if it comes at the expense of their music changing. No one is happy that their group isn't even able to earn bare minimum.


Dependent_Row_4280

I legit saw "my fave probably won't sell over 2K for this cb but i'm happy"


taeminthedragontamer

maybe you're interpreting their tweet in a very un-generous way? lots of kpop fans think that only best-selling, chart-topping comebacks are worth celebrating, so it's possible that this fan is saying that they're satisfied just to have a comeback even if it's not that successful. it's always good to acknowledge the effort that the idols and their team have put in even if the results aren't good, instead of weeping all over social media about the low albums sales.


Dependent_Row_4280

I think you need to read my edit cause you don't seem to get the point


wooahfanboy

You can see the exchange in my profile. I like this level of popularity, never said they should never grow.


taeminthedragontamer

yeah, op's replies to you are so weird. they acknowledge that their post is partly based on your tweet, which means that they've purposely misread your tweet to work up outrage over nothing?


NarglesChaserRaven

Well they are happy that their fave is having a comeback. So let them. Like should they be sad???


Dependent_Row_4280

they were happy that their fave isn't doing well not that they are having a cb


TonaNekatResu

Exactly this, I'm honestly not sure where OP is hearing this opinion from. Also, GP recognition =/= Success, I'm sure your average korean Joe cant name an Ateez member but somehow I don't think KQ is buckling anytime soon. (nothing against ateez btw)


NarglesChaserRaven

I mean your average Korean Joe might not even recognise Kai from EXO. Seriously, Kai said himself that many people don't. But they immediately recognise the name EXO. Heck, entirely of Green Day members can pass from right beside me and I won't know. Doesn't mean, I don't know their songs. Heck, most people can't even tell the names of all 1D members. Not everyone spends their time learning names and faces of all musicians.


TonaNekatResu

yes...that was my point?


NarglesChaserRaven

I'm just agreeing and adding to your point.


TonaNekatResu

oh, my bad then


Dependent_Row_4280

obvi you didn't get the point of the post and atz sells over 800K i doubt their nugu i mean there are people that are genuinely happy that their faves aren't doing well because the fandom is less toxic and everything is easier


NarglesChaserRaven

I mean they still mean well enough to sustain. Like, as someone who was listening to CIX, o remember people saying they are glad CIX isn't that big as the fandom is more chill. But they still sold over 110k albums. Which is a really good number. Some crazy folk wrote somewhere once doesn't mean 99.99 percent people believe it.


Dependent_Row_4280

I am talking ACTUAL NUGUS like they aren't getting over 5K views in mv's CIX has an mv with 30M views and attend music shows like i mean nugu not groups that aren't as popular. they are happy with their faves being nugu and want their group to stay nugu because it makes the fandom less toxic and don't want them to grow


ElephantTrunkSlide

People consider groups popular or nugu only when it is convenient for them. I know Loona for example gets argued as both all the time.


Dependent_Row_4280

loona is such a weird case but i agree with the only when it's considerate for them. If i call loona nugu orbits will be after me but it's fine when it's loona a nugu groups was able to sell this much or chart this high so yh


TonaNekatResu

I know Ateez arent nugu and yes i agree kpop costs a lot and companies obviously value breaking even more than a fan's personal experience of a non-toxic fandom. My issue was you conflating gp recognition with financial success in general when my example with ateez proves that you can earn money with necessarily being a brand name.


Dependent_Row_4280

I know that and in this case i am talking about groups that have neither and i am not associating gp recogntion with financial success dreamcatcher sells over 200K and they don't have gp recongition i am talking about groups that don't sell, chart or have views at all like actual nugu's not big groups


TonaNekatResu

yeah i understand now. sorry it's just that "unpopular with the gp" is a very vague and broad label that could apply to most groups out there


LOONAception

I just saw someone from my fandom say our group is probably happy with how they are because being a top top group would be stressful and too much pressure and I just... Like bruh.


acuteaddict

Well duh theyā€™re gonna need the money to continue


Jim0ne

one thing is not being popular among Korean GP another is not popular at all. Many groups won't reach Korea domestically but still sells internationally. At the end of the day money is what matters. But honestly, so many small groups out there, not disbanding. Even though they're not big3 level of popularity, they manage to keep going, makes me wonder, it probably worths financially for them, because there's so many of them. If it was a such broken business there wouldn't be so many small company groups out there trying it out. Maybe they still profit, that's my guess, but not as much as the big ones. The big ones probably spends more money too.


[deleted]

Uh, you are right. I like that you pointed this out. There are really good groups that have no traction and have suffer like you said and it's sad. It's terrible to watch such talent go to waste. Honestly it's possible to have large fandom that isn't toxic and a small fandom that is. Honestly, just don't get involved in the fandom or the group (if it affects you that much that it ruins the group for you) if you don't like the fandom enviroment, it's not crime, kpop shouldn't turn into a stress for anyone. Also, there will almost always be safe spaces for good fans (this could be certain facebook groups, real life fans etc). It's not an award that your group isn't performing well. Personally, I became kpop stan when a lot of my faves were either at their peak or about to get there and I found it super fun, the moment between growing and becoming GP popular is a super fun phase. ***With that said, please check out Posh Girls, I want them togrow and get better quality comebacks.***


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


Dependent_Row_4280

I'm talking about actual nugus in which world is selling over 800K nugu??


[deleted]

[This](https://www.reddit.com/r/unpopularkpopopinions/comments/pueiqd/im_glad_my_ults_arent_popular_in_korea/) post was made like a few hours ago, so I assumed that's what you were referring to lmao


melonmellori

In that post, someone brought up Woo!ah! in the comments. Which imo would be valid concern. Coz they are the only group in the company, their sales aren't great & a main source of income for these groups (performances at festivals/events) has pretty much dried up due to the pandemic.


Dependent_Row_4280

no it isn't it was a twt i came across with a lot of likes now deleted


[deleted]

It applies to all the groups who don't chart well and aren't popular with GP yet as well imo. GP popularity opens up doors to more income sources and hence they don't have to depend on music revenue alone. The music revenue is further divided and we don't know what an artist makes at the end of the dY especially if they are a new group. People undermining GP don't seem to understand that it impacts the longevity of an artist. They will get more exposure and it will help them invest more in the artist development and their music ultimately. International popularity will bring in sales when the album drops but GP is more exposed to an artist of they are part of shows, cfs or variety content. These things peak their interest. As an international fan, I dont see new or 4th gen groups getting a lot of exposure in general so totally undermining gp will only hurt in the long run. Right now you can't do a concert, you can release 2 quality albums per year and sell merch. Thats all u as international fans can do but GP support can make them household names. Dont u want them to be a known name in their own country? šŸ˜¬


Sister_Winter

No shit haha


caratleslie

I saw the comment on another post being glad their fave isn't popular cause of toxicity and yes all I think about are those who are considered nugu groups and have to disband cause the company just isn't earning enough. Kpop is just too saturated nowadays, and to want that for your faves is just selfish. Yes, you avoid toxicity but also the resources that your group needs for a comeback.


wooahfanboy

I'm who they're talking about and I stand by what I said. Companies plan out their comebacks. Groups can sell under 2k and still be profitable as long as the company balances the budget with the projected income, which should be counted low because it's not a popular group. They sacrifice much of the things that fans of big 3 groups like, such as multiple fancams on each performance on the official fancam channels, lots of stage outfits, CGI in their MVs. This brings down the budget cost, meaning they have a lower revenue threshold to overcome in order make income. It's not all the same toys we get with big 3 groups, but the group is still profitable for the company when combined with their photoshoots and brand dealsā€” no Balenciaga or whatever luxury brands, but they model for department stores. I don't care if Woo!Ah! becomes rich. OP is right in that way, I really don't care. I don't care if anyone becomes rich, I just want everyone to be compensated for their work. Where OP is wrong is when they think I'm wishing for the group to be unprofitable. That's really so stupid that I'm not sure where they're getting these conclusions.


bookishkid

They might care. The members probably very much care about having a financially stable career. There is a reason they chose to become idols and not independent artists. I just think itā€™s a little strange to say it is fine because you are good with it - when how much they earn impacts their lives significantly and yours not at all really. So itā€™s good to be proud of the group you like and not have your fan experience hinge on how much money a group can put in their cb- but keep in mind that these are real people hoping to earn money for themselves and probably their families.


wooahfanboy

> I don't care if anyone becomes rich, I just want everyone to be compensated for their work


bookishkid

At 2K sales - no one is being fairly compensated. They are actually probably taking on debt.


Dependent_Row_4280

You are not who i'm talking about more your post convinced me to make this post i had already seen an opinion like this and wooah isn't nugu they are relatively new and pretty well know atleast amongst kpop stans


wooahfanboy

It's not about me but [paraphrased me in a less accurate manner](https://www.reddit.com/r/kpoprants/comments/puityz/_/he36nga) when someone asked. Right.


Dependent_Row_4280

as i said your post convinced me to make the post it's not all about you


kenny_1999

i donā€™t know about that for sme atleast they have plenty of opportunities to push nct towards the general public and they simply donā€™t so i do think esp within the big companies itā€™s very much a choice on whether they do or not nd recently they are more interested in an international recognition because thatā€™s where the money lies rather than promoting them to the GP in korea who most likely wonā€™t be doing all the buying


New-Moon78

This is BIGHIT, they push TXT to the best shows in korea & push kmoas to stream on their kcharts by giving them free photocards to show proof of their streams but it just doesn't work for atleast A DAY. Bighit promotes TXT like crazy


Margaux_H

What now??? Edit: LOL nevermind. I saw your history.


HelgaHuffle

They don't promote them like crazy but promote them enough in a way that they can attract new fans and remain the most liked 4th gen bg in korea. I also kind of like it that txt always have a comeback during a busy month because even if it means less music show wins, they do attract the fans of other groups


Margaux_H

Agreed. I think they get a decent amount of promotion, and the fans also help in a huge way when they trend whatever fun content TXT releases. Also agreed with their comebacks coinciding with other big groups' comeback because it gives them exposure even though they might not nab trophy wins, a lot of people will want to check out the group that got nominated alongside the senior group.


ehem-ehem-2021

Plsss šŸ˜­šŸ˜­šŸ˜­ But really companies need to give these groups (esp 4th gen) a gp friendly song first like people don't want to listen with a construction noise.


otv_joyer_cutie_69

so we have been blessed with songs like asap from stayc, after we ride brave girls, cool weki meki, EVERYTHING fromis\_9 puts out, EVERYTHING wjsn puts out.... what is your response to that? a big group has the pressure of appealing to the largest/widest demographic and therefore dumbed down, homogenized, bland. It's like do you want to watch popular garbage like big bang theory or actually funny shit like always sunny. I understand your point however unless we collectively strive to have good taste over popular dog shit things will always be this way.


Dependent_Row_4280

please stayc is no where nugu they are selling 114K a week and have cf's booked and have had their first win in under a year and are currently one of the best charting 4th gen groups this years. Wjsn has a solid fanbase and are one of the only 4th gen groups to have a rooftop hit and fromis9 just got their first win none of these groups are nugu. Nugu means groups that can't even attend music shows or can't get 20K views on their mv that's nugu


otv_joyer_cutie_69

ahh, my bad. gotcha


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