It feels like K-pop idols can never win 🙁
Disclaimer: I am just expressing frustration with the content/criticism of K-pop stans I see on MY side of the internet
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5–10 seconds of Boompala by Le Sserafim has been released, and a lot of people already don't seem to be enjoying it. I keep seeing comments about HYBE “ruining” their discography and that it doesn't sound good. At the same time, people are criticizing Whole Different Animal by Aespa - some of that is about G‑Dragon being featured (which, fair enough, if that’s your issue), but also the song itself.
Personally, I am excited for Boompala, and I like WDA. What stands out to me is that both of these songs seem a bit different from the “cutesy/Y2K” trend in K-pop right now.
I also constantly see some people complaining that groups all sound similar/have a similar aesthetic atm
So now I’m just confused; being experimental = bad, but sticking to similar concepts = also bad?
It honestly feels like no matter what direction a group takes, there’s going to be backlash. If they change, people say it’s off-brand or a bad idea. If they don’t change, people say it’s repetitive or boring. I don't understand it
When ITZY had their "loving yourself" concept, people got tired. With the comebacks after Sneakers...people have said, "I wish they stuck to their original concept/sound".
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Segwaying from music...During her hiatus, when Jeongyeon gained weight, there were so many backhanded comments about how she was “past her peak” or didn't look good with the extra weight. TWICE's Insta account posted a new reel of her dancing to “Fix a Drink,” and suddenly I’m seeing comments about how skinny she is.
"Overweight" = bad
"Skinny" = bad
Same with Liz...I remember she got a lot of hate for not being that skinny, and now that she is, people complain about how thin and unrecognizable she seems in IVE.
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On the internet, it is very hard not to generalize entire fandoms. But seeing so many contradictory criticisms feels so frustrating. Are fans ever actually happy with their idols, or is the criticism just amplified because it gets more engagement online?
Because it feels like idols can’t win no matter what they do 😶
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Edit: I'm not sure why I'm getting downvoted 😭 I'm sharing my personal experience on the internet