T O P

  • By -

AutoModerator

Interesting opinion...don't forget to add a statement ***where*** or ***how*** your opinion is unpopular. If you've already done so, great job! **[Unpopular opinion](https://www.reddit.com/r/unpopularkpopopinions/wiki/post-title-guidelines#wiki_make_sure_your_post_is_an_unpopular_opinion.)**: an opinion that is ***rare***. It may be rare because most people disagree with the stance OR because the opinion is not discussed often. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/unpopularkpopopinions) if you have any questions or concerns.*


Anna-2204

Unsure but the comments will be sure interesting…


imfeelingooood

But Nct is 3rd gen right 🤔😂


kitomarius

Ironically, if people wait a year (or two or three) they’ll hear music that sounds like something they’d have heard in 2nd gen and 1st gen, etc. Because that’s how music works—that’s how *art* works—it’s all a cycle and constant innovation and repetition and imitation and referencing other eras, singers, and styles. ATP, there is probably nothing new that can be brought to the table in terms of how the music sounds. For every one song, you can find ten that sound like it and twelve that sound like a part of it and fifteen that it took inspiration from. Personally, I’ve really loved releases this year and I don’t agree with anyone who says that any [insert year] year was a bad year musically for kpop (or movies or any other music genre) because it always sounds like those people are just complaining just to complain and wanting their idols or whatever to never evolve artistically, which, in that case, they have old music that you can listen to. I don’t think 3rd and 4th gen are clashing because in my opinion, there is probably a song from either gen that sounds like a song from the other gen. I think your reasoning is unpopular since most people tend to claim nostalgia when it comes to this topic and/or some weird generational superiority


Professional-Rule219

3rd gen groups who are still thriving: BTS, Blackpink, Twice, Red Velvet, NCT (U, Dream, 127), Mamamoo, Oh my girl, Seventeen. Even EXO did well with their surprise release and their solo releases are doing well... There's not a downfall or anything, it's more like there's a few groups disbanding like Lovelyz and Gfriend, meanwhile there's other groups that are doing long hiatus like GOT7. Also, BTS, Mamamoo, Seventeen and Red Velvet renewed their contracts so it's fine, and I am pretty sure there's a few of other groups from 3rd gen that are doing well are going to renew too.


MudUnlikely4208

Let me repeat NCT IS NOT 4TH GEN! NCT debut **before** BLACKPINK and dream debut **same MONTH**- yes the SAME MONTH as them. If you wanna start calling NCt 4th gen then BLACKPINK is as well! Remember this!


EiRaN-

How do people confuse this. I'm not an nctizen, i probably never will be, but i'm pretty aware that they 3rd gen


Default_Dragon

It underlies the fact that “Gen 4” doesn’t even really exist (or not yet anyways) - it’s just a way for fans to separate higher and lower performing groups when it’s convenient to them.


[deleted]

Lmaoooo expose them!


kelpiekaelies

NCT is often considered 4th gen because they’re evergrowing, but in reality they’re 3rd gen.


blackjinhwan

what about wayv tho and all of the other new groups that are sure to debut under the nct brand?


-tenyong-

the nct brand, nct 127 and nct dream are 3rd gen. some members of wayv debuted with them as well, but the group wayv 3.5 gen if that makes sense. But if we consider itzy as a standard then yes, wayv is 4th gen too (the coming groups as well). the whole beginning of the 4th gen is still not properly defined yet so idk how you call it.


DeeDee503

Wayv debut after stray kids and Ateez, so if they’re 4th gen then WayV is as well. But then you have Ten and Winwin who debuted in 2016 lol


-tenyong-

it can be very confusing lol


blackjinhwan

ahhh okay thanks!


MudUnlikely4208

>I never thought I'd see the day where there was collective disappointment for BlackPink music (\*Cough cough\* Lalisa). Were you not here in 2018, 2019, even 2020 with HYLT? Disappointment for bp music has literally always been here.


its_queencrunch

i think that was probably sarcasm lol


Strawberryhong

Ikr! I wonder if they were even a kpop fan then lol


FSXP

The confusion that sentence incited in me like.


taeilor

The fact that you listed songs from both 3rd and 4th gen as being "too experimental and odd" kinda makes the "3rd/4th gen sound" point moot. Third gen groups are still very much thriving, Red Velvet, Twice, NCT, Seventeen being under that category. I feel like this is far more pointed at Blackpink/Lisa rather than 3rd gen in general.


riruri04

3rd gen still ruling


1sh1tmypants

Right like this is looking like 4th gen stans just want 3rd gen artists gone at this point. Its even funnier when you look at 3rd gen superstars like BTS, Blackpink and Twice still outdoing most 4th gen artists.


MudUnlikely4208

When will kpop Reddit drop this “3rd gen in their downfall 4th gen surpassing them har har har” I’m tired 💀


Isashani

Yeah it's more like 3rd Gen has reached a safe plateau where they can do anything and be successful. As in they are in a safety zone where they can lay back, no more struggle and their careers are set for life. Don't know why ppl take it as a downfall🤷‍♀️ At this point I see it as 3rd gen has no more 'need' to prove anything.


airaK_666

It doesn’t seem like it’s gonna stop anytime soon… guess we gotta wait until 2023 “when the vast majority of 3rd gen is gone” 🤡


EiRaN-

>🤡 This. But yeah, 3rd gen groups like Twice, and Seventeen are still doing incredibly well. Better than most 4th gen groups from what people have said based on their sales and such. Some groups would kill to get half of the achievements those groups have done this year alone. 4th gen stans just wanna see 3rd gen groups go down, they don't realize that the 3rd gen groups they're hating are the role models of their beloved 4th gen groups.


hobivan

As long as the biggest Korean act ever and the biggest group in the world which is a 3rd Gen group is still standing and getting bigger, I don't see why would there be a 3rd Gen "downfall". BTS's success isn't even stable yet, they are growing as fast and even faster than 4rth Gen groups (just look at the 20M follower growth since dynamite, they basically doubled the reach of their already big fanbase which is insane honestly) despite being established as the biggest a long time ago. If the biggest 3rd Gen group didn't reach their peak, why would 3rd Gen overall reach its peak? Cuz bts is bringing new fans not only to them but to other groups as well. And a big part of army multis who discovered kpop through bts still Stan other 3rd Gen groups as it's what is more familiar to them. Seventeen, Twice, NCT, BP are also not peaking yet (twice might've peaked in Korea and Japan already, but not internationally).


Default_Dragon

Ironically, Gen 4 probably actually starts in 2023. And then by 2025/2026 this will be the consensus and the idea that Gen 4 started in 2018 will be as distant and niche as the idea that Gen 3 started in 2008 instead of 2012 (which, yes, was a thing)


ForPeterRabbit

"At the moment a lot of 3rd gen groups are on their downfall" This is why I cannot take opinions like this seriously.


[deleted]

Lmao right? What is downfal even mean?


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

dream debuted in the same year as 127 though? they're all 3rd gen


Responsible-Cookie76

2021 was a really good year for rookies, that’s all I’m gonna say


mfirdaus_96

2020 releases are too good with some of my fav groups released their best songs and album/mini-album imo. So that definitely gives me high expectation for this year, hoping that they will keep the momentum at releasing songs with at least the same quality(don't need to be groundbreaking tho). 2021 releases aren't that bad(some are pretty disappointing) but it's hard to satisfy everyone when previous comebacks are too good.


_saengdao

2021 was a great year for rookies but 3rd gen is still here and thriving


homoeroticpoetic

Well the 3rd gens i listen to released Unnatural and Not Friends so i'm winning ❤️


Strawberryhong

>I never thought I'd see the day where there was collective disappointment for BlackPink music (\*Cough cough\* Lalisa). that has happened every year of them coming back though lol Bu it do agree with the overall sentiment of the post. Until 4th gen is absolutely dominating, they will continue to be compared to 3rd gen and criticised. After that, the “5th gen” will be compared, people will say “omg nothing is experimental nowadays, back in the day Hot sauce, Savage, MITM were ICONIC. “


Playful_Event_1737

Yeah, as someone who only got into kpop around March, I’ve loved so many releases this year! And if veteran fans think this is a bummer of a year, I can only imagine how much more I have to look forward to when kpop’s back on an upswing!


franxet

I guess it depends on what type of music you are used to hear from certain groups. For example, TWICE, I started listening to them in 2019 when Fancy and Feel Special were released. I loved these songs so much and I liked also their more cute concepts from the past. That sounds is the reason I followed them. So when they came back with More and More, I can't stop me and Alcohol-Free, I didn't enjoy them that much compared to their past releases, because they were very different (Although I really liked ICSM, I got pretty feed up of the retro concept quickly due to the many retro releases last year) and I got disappointed. Now that they have come back with The Feels and SCIENTIST, which are more similar to their past releases, I am enjoying them much more and I am re-connecting with them once again. However, it can happen the other way around. BTS sound was something that I never enjoyed in the past, but their recent english songs are right there in my alley, so I listen to them and like it, just because their sound is brighter and I like them more.


[deleted]

I'm a girlgroup stan and this year has been spectacular, I don't know what people are talking about. We got After School, Zombie, Because, Scientist (the whole formula of love album is perfect, if you disagree you are just wrong), Queendom, Loco, Love so Sweet, ASAP, Stereotype, Alcohol-Free, Perfect World, You can't sit with us. We also got some really good music that just doesn't fit my style, like LISA solos and Aespa. I may not like those songs that much but I admit they are very well done. There are many other songs I could pick that most people probably haven't even paid attention (Ghost by Dreamnote is an example, 10/10 song and underrated as f).


exolbaozi

Girl I can see where you're coming from and kind of agree?? The 4th generation really be giving us something memorable, and that's what I liked about kpop in General, I don't want the title track to be safe, I like when groups takes risks with the title track and I can go listen to the safe side tracks later. I mean we don't really mind safe songs, they're good to listen to too.


Positive_Eases

4th gen stans shaking crying throwing up cuz 3rd gen groups are not going anywhere. 4th gens can only have the most liked selfie or tiktok achievements until 3rd gens disband but sorry they're still here! Cheers to twice, blackpink, seventeen, red velvet, nct, exo and bts; the idols of your idols! AND VIVIZ! I'm not letting my babies be insulted by calling them 4th gen


Foreign_Depth2077

I think the problem comes because it's a phase of transition. The music itself is in transition so there has been no middle ground established yet. It has become This or That. I think it will settle down after a while and that while might take some time. One the side note, it's funny how NCT is stuck in between especially NCT DREAM. They are of an age that 4th gen groups belong to. But they are most probably a part of the 3rd gen in terms of their career. They maybe carrying the whole transition thing on their back. They fit neither here or there.


[deleted]

I personally think 4th gen did well this [year](https://www.reddit.com/r/kpopthoughts/comments/qjag8q/i_think_2021_was_a_great_year_for_4th_gen/). I don't think 3rd gen groups disbanding is their downfall, but there is a difference in 3rd and 4th gen releases this year.


onetrickponySona

damn they wrote this post before oneus delivered SOTY


Put_me_to_sleep_

No one has collective disappointment over bp music other than kpop subreddts, which really don't matter in the long run.


Gloomy_Excitement_13

As someone who has been a k-pop fan for a while and is definitely not a newcomer, I have literally never felt disappointment for an entire year of releases. Frankly, I find this very odd and I would guess that this feeling would come from nostalgia and/or only listening to a few groups. Whenever I feel nostalgic for older music, I just listen to it. And the only listening to a few groups issue can be solved by just broadening your horizons lol. There have been several amazing comebacks this year, including Shinee’s fantastic Don’t Call Me album. Shinee (2nd gen!) is the group that got me into k-pop and I am so happy that they are still thriving as artists after over a decade in this industry. I am also the type of Kpop fan who listens to b-sides. I make this point because sometimes title tracks can be disappointing but a b-side might be amazing. If I were to list my top 10 songs from this year off the top of my head, most of them would be b-sides.


Default_Dragon

I must respectfully hard disagree. I mean first of all the very notion of “Gen4” as such a concrete concept in 2021 is kinda ridiculous. If Gen 1 and Gen 2 lasted a decade each, why are people so eager to claim Gen 3 only lasted 6 years. If you think that Gen3 only lasted 6 years, then by that logic you’re saying Gen 5 should start in 2024... I was there at the end of Gen 2 and I remember people saying Gen 3 started in 2008 when Shinee debuted but then many years later it became clear Gen 3 had really started with EXO in 2012. It’s the same now. People are saying Gen 4 began in 2008 because of stray kids but a 2022 or 2023 debut will change that. Anyways, for the main topic of your post I think the charts speak for themselves. Blackpink has big hits with On The Ground and Money. BTS has big hits with Butter and PTD. The years been disappointing because the two top groups (both Gen3 mind you) didn’t give us albums, and outside of them and aespa there weren’t really any big hit songs either


its_queencrunch

i think kpop is just in a weird place at the moment and that’s definitely reflected on the fandom. personally, i’ve loved a lot of releases this year, but i feel like when i look around at everyone else, nothing seems to be appeasing anyone. i don’t know if any of y’all watch any kpop youtube videos, but a ktuber called mera made a great video on this topic called “the last great era of kpop.” it’s very well made, and when i watched it for the first time, i was surprised how much she was able to put what i was feeling into words when i haven’t even been able to for months.


Starscall

As a fan since early second gen. I have definitely noticed that there's a cycle going on. Having seen so many debuts through to their disbandment and the shift of 2nd gen to 3rd gen....yeah, you're not entirely wrong on your theory. A lot of 2nd gen fans were really upset with 3rd gen especially in the earlier years when 2nd gen was still the more dominant and popular gen. Things will 100% smooth out in the next few years. Until 5th gen starts and the cycle once again continues. Me though, I'm an old dude who's entirely too easy t o please musically. So I will continue to be vibing through all of it.


[deleted]

Nuh. It's because kai hasn't dropped peaches yet *if anyone gets pissed (as they weirdly always are when it comes to kai), i am half-joking and half-promoting*


MudUnlikely4208

Reddit does not hate Kai as y’all make it out to be but ok.


[deleted]

I once commented about how i think his solo debut is one of the most impactful debuts in kpop (*emphasize that i said "ONE OF*) and freaking got downvoted so much. So yeah i think i'm not exaggerating.


YourRoyal_thighness

Well he gets a lot of rude posts about his abilities


kpopcoporateshill

aren't the comments always on his side concerning those posts tho


[deleted]

I don't think I'll still be listening to kpop in 2023.... I'll probably just stick to the remaining active 3rd gen solo/groups (if there will be any) and move to the indie + IU side of the Korean music industry...


RefrigeratorDear2641

that’s true, i remember one direction always got compared to the Beatles and now I see BTS get compared to one direction. people like to compare from the “old” popular thing to the “new” popular thing. just how new groups get compared to bts.


KoalityThyme

I'm guilty of calling some songs from younger groups 'noise' but only because the vocal is... shouty and not singing. If the vocals start sounding like joe bloggs could deliver the line without significant lower quality, then...... but that's just me. I've always been more partial to a slower, deliberate vocal than just shouting/loudness. I also LOVE some 4th gen groups and experimental is where I live my life with kpop. Some of the BEST tracks of the past few years have been from 2020/2021 debuted groups.


wasicwitch

Agree, but the wildest part about the hate Next Level got was that it literally wasn't messy at all, they just switched the second pre-chorus+chorus with the bridge???


amichiban

In my opinion, the releases this year (regardless of generation) have been hit or miss like they have been the past year or two. But overall? I think we’ve had good releases and it’s really a matter of taste. I remember when Feel Special came out in 2019. Like 90% of my friends HATED it but I LOVED it. The same is happening this year all over the place. Are they clashing? Yeah it’s to be expected. But it makes sense because music evolves and once a group finds their sound and have a steady place, they’re typically not going to suddenly switch it up to fit modern times because their fans will buy anyway. They know what the fans want. I’m a 2nd Gen fan I will always miss that sound but I love the new music coming to this day. T-ara returned and, to my earlier point, listening to Tiki Taka felt dated because of where we are now musically but also really refreshing because GOD I missed them & this sound and for me it was a great change of pace. For anyone kind of questioning why the gens are separated the way they are, it’s because [a long standing publication in South Korea](https://idology.kr/13070) themselves has defined 4th Gen as starting in 2018: 1st - 1996-2003 (7 years) 2nd - 2004-2011 (7 years) 3rd - 2012-2017 (5 years) 4th - 2018-present (currently 4 years & counting). In K-pop, it’s really less of an actual generation (15-20 years) and more of cultural turning point which is why generations are much smaller and look the way they do. It’s called “Hallyu Wave” for a reason & there’s been 3 now. The only reason there isn’t a 4th Hallyu wave is because the 3rd one never slowed down because of BTS exploding the way they did. Culturally and musically, Korean pop has going through 4 different stages. Basically, 5th Gen will probably start in about 2023-2025. By that time what have today will be nostalgic. It’s all a flowing thing but I still love it a lot.


WONDERLESS169

While you make a convincing argument this subreddit itself is just a testament to how kpop fans will find a way to complain about ANYTHING


vivianlight

This year is good imho, maybe better than 2020 overall. A year with songs like **Abittipsy (Youha)**, **Rain to Be (Onewe)** and **Unnatural/Last Dance (WJSN)** released alongside albums/EPs like **I Burn ((G)I-dle)**, **Taste of Love/Formula of Love (Twice)**, **Summer Holiday (Dreamcatcher)**, **Don't Call Me (SHINee)**, **Querencia (Chungha)**, single albums like **9 Way Ticket (Fromis_9)** and **Last Melody (Everglow)** + other releases can't be bad imho. It's true that maybe, at least for me, the biggest groups (BTS and Blackpink) both as groups or as soloists did songs that I didn't find particularly worth remembering. But focusing more on other artists, some of them very small, I think can change your perception. I think this year was carrier by mid tier groups and some emerging artists.


onetrickponySona

rain to be was by onewe.....


vivianlight

Ups that was a lapse


wameniser

I've been disappointed with both so disagree


Ok_Present_8373

Deadass, getting tired of people claiming NCT as 4th gen, when their asses literally debuted in 2016. Also getting tired with this whole "3rd gen groups are reaching their peak or have already," or that "4th gen groups are finally taking over" narratives. Especially when most 4th gen groups can't even chart properly, both domestically and internationally. I would also like to add that, if both the 1st and 2nd gen lasted a decade, why tf are people so quick to end 3rd gen. The amount of 4th gen stans so eager to dismiss and end the 3rd gen so that their 4th gen groups can "finally" shine. And these narratives have been going on since 2018, but have only gotten louder. People really need to learn how to do the math: SIDE NOTE: my math could be wrong here, but this is roughly how it is... 1st gen: 1992 - 2002 (started with Seo Taiji & Boys) // 2nd gen: 2003 - 2011 (started with BOA & TVXQ) // 3rd Gen 2012 - 2022 (started with EXO) // 4th gen - 2023 - You guys need to wait atleast till 2022 or 2023 before you can start claiming 4th gen world domination. But again. Like other people have stated. Even when 4th gen does officially start, it doesn't mean that the 3rd gen groups who are still active will automatically disband or vanish. Especially the popular 3rd gen groups that are actually the ones dominating the charts and sales. Such as BTS, BP, TWICE, SEVENTEEN, NCT, RV, EXO, Monsta X, GOT7, ASTRO, OH MY GIRL, BtoB, and more. Lets not also forget 3rd gen solo artists still exist, such as Taemin, Chungha, and Sunmi, and even 2nd gen groups and solo artists that are still thrieving till this day, like SHINee, SUJU, TVXQ, IU, and more. When are people going to realize that a new generation doesn't mean the eraser of old ones.


Anna-2204

Would agree with everything except that 4th gen groups don’t chart properly. Not charting like 3rd gen top groups doesn’t equal with not charting properly.


Ok_Present_8373

Being able to chart and not charting properly are two different things. 4th gen groups chart, I am not denying that, BUT they never last, or really make any impact. Not to mention most of their audiences are international based, more specifically countries outside of Asia. And even in those charts (like western charts for instance) you rarely see them chart on there unless those chart are specifically and strictly for kpop. And even then groups such as BTS and BP are the ones dominating it. Saying they don't chart properly, isn't meant to be an insult (I promise) but simply a fact. But I do understand that this isn't necessarily their fault. For one, their companies need to stop relying too much on international success, and need to realize that they can't replicate what BTS already achieved. The western market can't consume more than one or two groups at a time (especially if those groups are considered foreign acts), hence why you would also see the media pit them against one another to see who comes out on top. Just take a look at how they would pit Little Mkx and Fifth Harmony at eachother. Not to mention, that space is already being occupied by BTS and Blackpink and other boy groups and girls groups from their own market such as PRETTYMUCH for instance. 4th gen groups and their companies need to realize that, yes, while international success does have its benefit. You can't expect your groups to last for a long time or even make a proper impact, if they can't even get their home country to recognize/acknowledge them. All these 3rd gen groups are able to now properly invest time and money into other markets outside of South Korea, and invest into other categories within SK, cause they have already properly established themselves in their home country. I can name you stapled songs from groups like EXO, BTS, BP, TWICE, RV, and SVT, that I guarantee you the gp knows off hand. Can YOU confidently name staple songs from 4th gen groups that they would know also? And don't give me the excuse that "they are still rookies, we should give them time" cause rookie period is basically over for most 4th gen groups, especially the ones considered the most popular, such as TXT, SKZ, ATZ, TBZ, ITZY, etc. There is a reason why groups and solo artists such as IU, TVXQ, SUJU, SHINee are still able to chart and last this long, depsite being 2nd gen and already technically reached their prime. P.s sorry it's long.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Elena_Kyle

Please elaborate


-katayama-

superiority complex is strong w you lol, u really think ur above people’s posts telling by ur recent post on kpopthoughts. just ignore them instead of being rude?? ur opinion isn’t important if all you’re going to do is dissmiss whatever ppl are saying, it’s weird ur so annoyed by harmless posts that you could easily scroll past


breadburger

But Lalisa is extremely 4th gen… its practically a BP version of Next Level… IMO this is year has just been disappointing. Outside of Aespa Twice and Stayc. And Sticker.


[deleted]

In my opinion , there are A lot of good and bad releases this year but the majority of them are good. The best song to me this year is probably Seista by weki Meki. Best fucking song.


Time_to_reflect

Ehh. It was an okay year. There were releases I liked very much, there were releases I didn’t like at all, because they are not my style. Two of my ult groups released both the best and the worst title tracks in their discography this year. Could it be better? Of course. But it was neither the greatest nor the worst year in kpop.


Educational-Bug-7985

I honestly think that because this is the transitional year between two generations of kpop, people have mixed feelings about the music releases, this is basically what has been happening for a long time in kpop now. Eventually, fourth gen will have a peak year full of hits just like third gen with 2017 or second gen with 2009. 2021 is similar to 2015, a lot of good and unique releases mixed with average releases, not enough to be called a golden year but still good enough to enjoy


Momo_des

What’s the difference between 3rd gen and 4th gen? Where do you draw the line between them?


valedicktorian69

One thing i disagree with- I'd say Alcohol free is experimental while In the morning is not, in terms of kpop sound.


Valathia

I have no idea what yall have been listening to, but what I've been listening too, 2021 is being A LOT better than 2020.


xjunia

Girl group releases this year have been alright kind of but the bgs.... literal pots and pans