Korea's next top girl groups 2018 Mix - an omona original mix (part 2)

[pikapika217.livejournal.com]

Reading through the comments for last time I realized we need to restructure how we talk about these posts/groups. GG - as well as WG & Kara - have moved/created goal posts that this generation simply can't do because it's no longer 'new' so rather than ask who can be the nation's girl group it's better to ask 'who can be among the top?'

Part 2 below

This is an omona original written by pikapika217

Name: WJSN/Cosmic Girls

Debut: 2016

Agency: Starship

Description: At 13 members this group boasts the largest roster on any of these posts. Known for their zodiac themes and cinematic videos WJSN has established their strength in Space Pop. More on that later.

Best known song(s): Secret & it's many copies

Standout member(/s): Cheng Xiao, Yeonjung, Exy

Strengths: While they did not create space pop the dreamy style seems to suit them perfectly, as does E.One's producing of their sound. Plus having Yeonjung guarantees more eyes on them.

Weaknesses: With so many members it's hard to establish a proper balance where every one fits, especially with Exy taking the entire second verse and Yeonjung leading a lot as well. Also their choreographers still have trouble with spacing - 13 is an odd number, no one should ever be behind someone - and utilizing such a big group for all of a 3.5 minute song (too much standing with backs turned in one line formations, why not have them posed?) and in general sticking to space pop can be limiting.

Scandals: Nothing that seems to be real or worth mentioning.

Their next concept if they want to get to the top: Between Secret, I wish, Miracle (album only song), Dreams come true & Renaissance (album only track) WJSN has developed a signature sound that also sounds a lot like different riffs on the same 1 to 2 songs. The challenge is making a spacey pop song that falls in line with their strengths without being yet another Secret copy. And perhaps they should actually use one of the subunits from the Dream your Dream photo shoots.

Percentage of chances of becoming a top tier girl group: 40%. While they are a solid second (or maybe third? hrm) tier group barring something viral they will likely stay there as a collective. One Yeonjung & Exy can't carry everyone you know?




Name: Oh My Girl

Debut: 2015

Agency: WM Entertainment

Description: Showcasing

Best known song(s): Closer, Secret Garden

Standout member(/s): Jiho, Binnie, Yooa

Strengths: Now a 7 member group OMG splashed onto the scene with Cupid's bright dynamic sound but it was 'Closer' that established them with their own brand of youthful sophistication. Currently they seem to be bouncing between concepts.

Weaknesses: While a younger group when trying to skew too aegyo it has resulted in disaster - Aing is something we'd all like to forget (or maybe just me) and now Banana Energy Monkey isn't exactly doing the number WM wants it too.

Scandals: The Curry cover. Let's just say covering a song that is all offensive stereotypes doesn't help establish points with anyone.

Their next concept if they want to get to the top: Closer and Secret Garden are their most popular songs for a reason and they should lead with that meeting of elegance and sophistication so they can rack up wins.

Percentage of chance they'll become a top tier girl group: 50%. While BAM is a major musical/career misstep they have already broken through the seal of first wins and can still recover.




Name: Gugudan

Debut: 2016

Agency: Jellyfish

Description: After starting off with a stumble Gugudan has course corrected and began to embrace interesting instrumentals to best showcase their talents. With 2 mini albums, 2 digital singles and a Subunit can this girl group find a way to the top?

Best known song(s): A Girl Like Me & The Boots

Standout member(/s): Sejeong, Mina

Strengths: Nabbing 2 of the most popular members in IOI - as well as one of the other trainees - is a major plus and there cannot be enough said of the strength of their acapella voices.

Weaknesses: Sejeong is the most popular member but she - alongside Mina - seems to be the only one people know of/care about which means as a group they are chained to promoting around her busy solo schedule and puts them in the vulnerable position of sinking or swimming if she does.

Scandals: From what I could find it in general was that Sejeong is even in this group as her solo success eclipses them.

Their next concept if they want to get to the top: Keeping Sejeong present front and center is both a gift and a curse but jellyfish need to find ways to promote the other girls so things can even out.

Percentage of chance they'll become a top tier girl group: 40%. The general public mostly wants/cares about Sejeong so it remains to be seen if the entire group can manage to overcome the disparity of her own popularity.



Name: CLC

Debut: 2015

Agency: Cube

Description: Formed in 2015 CLC started as a quintet and grew with their adding 2 members. While Pepe made a splash it was last year's Hobgoblin - alongside its Hyuna led image/sound change - that truly got them attention.

Best known song(s): Pepe, Hobgoblin, Black Dress

Standout member(/s): Eunbin, Sorn

Strengths: With Hyuna's help there's making strides to fill the space left by 4minute & 2NE1 for a harder hitting girl group in their age bracket and while Sorn is arguably the best known member internationally her own fame seems to be drawing people to the group rather than wishing she wasn't in it.

Weaknesses: Their inconsistent concept - pitched as a concept but ok sure - leaves people without knowing what to expect from them. Also, While some mentoring from Hyuna is good perhaps not making Yee Eun sound exactly like her is better.

Scandals: Yee eun wearing a jacket with a confederate flag - thought people seemed to have attributed this to the stylists - , refering to Co-Ed as 'those guys', Yee Eun being rude by sliding a bottle to Chanseob of BTOB instead of handing it to him.

Their next concept if they want to get to the top:The Girls have allegedly said that Hobgoblin & Black dress are the types of songs/image they want to have so Cube needs to commit to this. The trend of releasing a companion song to the mini's main title is a nice idea but something needs to pop for them soon.

Percentage of chance they'll become a top tier girl group: 40%. While they've got a decent amount of talent and Hyuna's helping hand international hype alone cannot sustain them long-term (more on that in post 3)




Name: Momoland

Debut: 2016

Agency: Dublekick Entertainment

Description: Formed in 2016 after a reality TV show search the group's been gaining momentum since and has had a string of music show wins with their last title track (more on that later). Now What?

Best known song(s): Boom Boom, Freeze

Standout member(/s): JooE

Strengths: Bright and tight choreography seems to be where they want to go while JooE's worldwide viral turn for Tropicana CFs seems to be bringing the group much needed recognition and even more needed music show wins.

Weaknesses: There needs to be balance when it comes to ensuring JooE's momentum so that it spreads throughout the group.

Scandals: Aside from a bully rumor involving JooE that was dismissed(?) accusations of sajaegi (proven false) and plagiarizing (proven true, oop? Hyori's impacT) haunt Boom Boom.

Their next concept if they want to get to the top: Boom Boom was great so they need to recapture that dynamic energy with a track that is either completely original or one they can prove they paid for to remake.

Percentage of chance they'll become a top tier girl group: 50%. They seem to be on the bubble so if they can make 2018 successful for them (perhaps 2 comebacks?) they might be able to cross over for good but we'll see.

source: This is an omona original written by pikapika217

Comments

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

yeah, none of them stand a chance
Love my girls though

[pikapika217.livejournal.com]

you betta STAN! LMAO

[gathyou.livejournal.com]

You're making a third part OP???? omg do you have a fanclub haha, I love these posts!
As I said in part 1, I don't see any of those being on top. Getting bigger and securing a decent enough fanbase to go for their seven years, yes, definitively. But I don't see them breaking top tier. And it's frustrating lmao I'm a fan of all XD

[vintage-boom.livejournal.com]

I'd like to see what Momoland does next and then circle back to this post lol

[minho-lover.livejournal.com]

i hope omg sticks to songs like closer and secret garden, if that stays consistent I feel like they can go towards the top tier but u never really know :/

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

The standout members for clc though... you can't serious?

[pikapika217.livejournal.com]

Eunbin was in Produce 101 and Sorn is literally the one everyone knows even if they don't know CLC. That plus her youtube show makes her a stand out IMO

[sailorsaturn1.livejournal.com]

I love these posts, OP! I don't see any of these groups reaching SNSD level honestly.
Things aren't looking too good for CLC with their debut song still being their most succesful one in SK and Cube debuting another girl group...
I hope Momoland will give us a Boom Boom 2.0, all of Jooe's CF money should give us another good song, hopefully....

[goshipgurl.livejournal.com]

i can see OMG becoming more successful if they stick to the secret garden/closer concept. maybe momoland if they follow up with another hit and catchy dance but the pressure to release a song that is as catchy as boom boom but not a part 2 is huge, see exid.

it's sad that IOI disbanded after a year cause they'd be amongst the top girlgroups. now most of the girls are stuck with nugu groups.

[goshipgurl.livejournal.com]

also you can really see how much PS some of the soshi girls got in that picture

[kyungwons.livejournal.com]

gugudan are the group with the most untapped potential imo they have good vocals, fun personalities, no real stand out dancers but they're all decent and i think they could pull off different concepts a la snsd if they were given them but i love them and im biased

they really need to start getting other members on variety with sejeong or something like in pairs so the public gets to know them better

[myrrhcat.livejournal.com]

you don't think gugudan's concepts so far have been varied? i think their releases have been extremely diverse especially for a group with only 4 albums and 1 unit single

[honey-baymax.livejournal.com]

There's fewer hope with this batch, but who knows they might surprise us.

I just want clc to rise more ;-;

[theonlysolution.livejournal.com]

I'm guessing it's deliberate at this point, but Mamamoo's doing much better than any of these groups yet they've been omitted from both lists.

I just can't see any small company groups that have debuted in the past 1-4 years getting popular at this point. Ironically Momoland might have the biggest shot, especially since all the post-IOI groups flopped. The groups with the best chance would have to be one from SM/YG/JYP's future girl groups, but Twice/BP/RV haven't even reached their peak yet so who knows how quickly the public will warm up to them. There's the off-chance that Loona could have a rise like BTS but their actual popularity and youtube views pale in comparison to how obnoxious the fans are.

(On another note, I was thinking of whether to post the latest episode of SuperTV on omona since three of the groups mentioned here guested on it)

[pikapika217.livejournal.com]

after a 3rd racism scandal I did my best to put Mamamoo permanently out of my mind but I do know they charting well all the time. They just had a comeback too, right?

[pikapika217.livejournal.com]

this GIF SIS!

this write-up

LMAO

[dior-chic.livejournal.com]

Op where is Pristin??

[pikapika217.livejournal.com]

in part 3 with Weki Meki & a few others. I don't know them well - at all - and needed to do more research

[existingisfunny.livejournal.com]

While SNSD wasn't popular from the beginning, they hit their stride a year in and all these groups are past a year... Oh My Girl's taken too long, CLC can probably stay in their little niche corner even though they don't make niche music lol they can float with the fans they have unless those fans don't buy albums, I feel like Gugudan has too many Sejeong/Mina only fans and that'll wreck them, virality is fickle. Momoland could easily become Crayon Pop.

Cosmic Girls deserves more attention... They have a great discography, superior to Twice's but they have too many members and struggle with differentiating them. But there's a lot of secret visual power and hopeful that'll do something this year. I know in my heart Yeorum will be an It girl.

[pikapika217.livejournal.com]

Cosmic Girls needs subunits or at least to promote alternate members on alternating weeks?

Like keep Exy (or maybe Yeonjung instead) for all of them but reduce it all to 6 more girls with her so they cover each other's lines for whichever week they're on and have better choreography.

[ursulavosyem.livejournal.com]

I haven't listened to any songs from this batch of gg's except for clc, so I have a lot of homework to do. But at least now I know where to start, thanks OP.

[ursulavosyem.livejournal.com]

I'm back, and I LOVE Bboom Bboom, Nancy is stunning, JooE is so fun live... i might stan

[veep-throat.livejournal.com]

my list of standout members:

clc - seungyeon, yeeun
momoland - nancy
gugulflop - QUEEN OF JAZZ miss nayoung

nayoung was my fave on 101. she was so underrated, like mina and sejong who? this one of my fave fancams of ha



charming queen!

[agjingi.livejournal.com]

yeees i love me some nayoung too! 😍

[shuumi-miss.livejournal.com]

I would lower those percetages, OP, lol. I honestly don't see any of these groups making it actually big, except maybe Momoland if they find a way to keep the momentum steadily (like BTS managed to do after INU), otherwise, I see them like the new Crayon Pop (like others have said).

Cosmic girl: They really really need to come up with sub-units mixing up the popular members with the non-popular ones, tbh, because up to now, the only member I see "everywhere" is Cheng Xiao (her dancing is so mesmerizing, OMGS, she has the same effect on me than Ten and I don´t care about NCT at all).

OMG: I only see two members everywhere (or at least as a non-fan, I only know two members), so I don't think they will manage to be big. To me they'll just keep their position and not fall into nuguland. To me their concepts are not outstanding enough nor their songs catchy enough for more (don't kill me, please).

Gugudan: Everything goes too much around two/three members at most, and, as somebody already said, the fact that their fanbase is mostly comprised by the IOI membres' fans is actually dangerous for the whole group, mostly because their company isn't doing anything to change that either.

CLC: I honestly don't see them going anyway further. At most, they'll manage to keep their current fanbase and not to die. It would be good that CUBE could try to get things for Sorn in Thailand (I don't know if they're doing it already) and aim more to that market like JYP is doing with Bambam.

As for the previous post, I honestly only see TWICE and Blackpink filling the space left by SNSD and 2NE1. But I don't really trust JYP on the long run (hello Miss A and Wonder girls), and YG is... well, YG, look at how little they have done for BP despite them charting high with 5 song.

To me Red Velvet is mostly popular internationally (but I'm not totally sure since I don't follow them that closely), so I think they will fill the space that is leaving F(x) since they aren't doing much as a group anymore.

As for Gfriend, I'm not sure, they tried something different to their usual style. which was also more mature, and it failed (even tough it's one of my favorite songs by them along with Me gustas tu). Everything else sounds basically the same and I don't think they can keep that going on on the long run, people will eventually get bored at the same song/concept over the years. But who knows, maybe they'll manage to transition to another concept successfuly next time.

[xlovexlessxtyx.livejournal.com]

You made a solid case OP. I’m excited to see who will be picking up scraps in part 3!

[hpn88.livejournal.com]

honestly if momoland can follow up they have a shot to be the t-ara of this generation with hit songs/general public recognition (hopefully minus the scandals and implosion)

WJSN has a chance too

But I think the next top tier group will likely be either a SM/YG/JYP group. The new JYP group is coming for blood right out the gate if JYP plays their cards right with somi, ryujin, chaeryung, yeji etc.

[cagallisakura.livejournal.com]

No doubt that JooE is Momoland's standout member but wow, seeing Yeonwoo in Bboom Bboom, I immediately fell in love. hoping she rises in popularity

OP, I read through some of your comments regarding you having to do research on Pristin and Weki Meki and I'm really interested in what you find and have to say! Nice work on these posts!

Pledis seems to have already forgotten Pristin exists and with Kyla on break, it seems like the company doesn't want the girls to have a comeback without her. I like that Pledis allows the girls to create their own music but that doesn't necessarily mean the music will be good (looking at you We Like -_-). They also barely had any variety/radio appearances during We Like era and whatever momentum they gained from debut Wee Woo is dyinggggg. my babies pls come back, i'm begging you ;~~~~~;

[dropthecrates.livejournal.com]

i honestly don't think kyla is coming back :(

[welljustguess.livejournal.com]

Gugudan shouldve just keep the P101 girls. I hope clc is the next big thing since all of the member have decent skill to perform. I used to love OMG but their recent songs is just too cute for me.

[sowahso.livejournal.com]

I have long given up hope that Oh My Girl will rise to the level of recognition they deserve.

All my faith is placed in LOONA's full member debut. The sub units have been so different that it will be interesting to see how they all work together. I have a feeling they will succeed since it seems like they have a lot of money/resource behind them as well as the power of Satan (all hail the anti-eden subunit)

[carazhan.livejournal.com]

man how much of a trip would it be if momoland takes off and we look back at this in 3-5 years. i have my reservations given how often idol companies shoot their own viral traction in the foot, but i do hope bboom bboom isn't one of those songs that goes massive right before mismanagement hits.

[vintage-boom.livejournal.com]

mte. but they're getting JooE more CFs so hoping that's a good sign

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

I actually think loona and weki meki have more potential than a bunch of this group (sorry CLC I love u but cube did u wrong)

[cxxl.livejournal.com]

Never say never, but lol.
I think we got a lot of lovely 1st and 2nd alternates.
If any of them were to get there that would be shocking. I think the IOI girls being divided into their respective company groups put a hamper on that sort of success (and in some cases much at all). Literally ChungHa seems to be setting up for better things, and that's because they had the right idea to let her go solo. Also a lot of these companies are deadass winging it, and continue missing. Like success is pretty much trying to organize your best chance of luck, but some of these companies just be taking any shot.

Anyway

WJSN
They won't pop off because Starship doesn't care. I don't even see much of Yeonjung outside of group context. In fact the Chinese line seems to get the most love, with Cheng Xiao being the most active. I think the biggest issue is the fact that the group isn't all that accessible. Stuff geared towards fanbases doesn't entice the general public, so I don't know why they don't go to shows that your regular ass nobody is watching. Also #JusticeforDawon.

Oh My Girl
Tbh I could see them doing a Sistar and being that group that makes it. They have IT, and most of their songs are fun (that stint after Windy Day be damned). I think their biggest thing is finding that one or two members that will be worth putting to the GP.

Gugudan
Sejeong is like Eunji of Apink, maybe with wider recognition at debut. She is essentially ghosting as an idol group member at this point. The Boots was such a bad moment in terms of distribution, from lines to screentime.

CLC
LMAO. I like them, but...LMAO. I think even with changes in concept they are like others. Not out there. I liked their whole busking routine and thought it was a good idea.

MoMoLand
It really depends on their next few comebacks TBH. No SNSD, but I wouldn't be surprised at them being a big group. JooE is that right kind of relatability, talent and joke. She turned being laughed at into being laughed with plus a few paychecks. I don't think the group should rely on her for overall success, but I do think she is a great gateway to something else. It's all luck and timing at this point.

I think the common theme of this group (of groups) is making other members accessible to the general public. I think focusing on fandom related things is a bad idea because fans are already watching this stuff (and will pretty much justify the quality). You want to take it to the next step and make yourself available as a brand/celebrity to the general public. Mamamoo did a great job making themselves stand out by going on Immortal Song 2 repeatedly. But this also begs the question...how many of these shows are out there?
Another point is that these groups have the unfortunate issue of having members from a popularity-tailored machine. You can't put one or two members of that group into a group of nobodies and expect general interest to follow (that's the reality that I have now accepted). Sejeong's popularity isn't bleeding into the rest of the group, so Jellyfish is going to capitalize off of her, and work the group as necessary. Go where your money is and all that.

[mortkero.livejournal.com]

I am just using this opportunity to say that I miss Sistar. I didn't even know them that well, but I loved I like that and some of their older songs, and their summer songs were perfect summer songs.

With regards to this list.. I wish CLC would do better. I actually know who all the members are?! And loved the energy of hobgoblin and black dress.

Gugudan .. the subunit song was soooo good. They should just Orange Caramel it tbh. Their main songs have not really appealed to me.

WJSN impressed me with the choreography of their latest song, if they keep it up, they can keep going for a while

[daceymormont.livejournal.com]

Out of these groups I like WJSN and gugudan the most but I think OMG and momoland have the biggest shot if they play their cards right. OMG kind of messed up with their latest release but if they continue with songs like secret garden they can establish themselves as a top group. Not SNSD or twice levels but one of the more successful groups.
Momoland is a young group but with the success and attention they've got for bboom bboom they can def become one of the more popular girl groups too, they just need a good follow up cb.

I'm sad about WJSN and gugudan because they have a lot of potential but starship and jellyfish have no idea what they're doing lbr.
Dreams come true was an amazing song (imo) with interesting choreo but they didn't promote them properly. They really need to make use of sub units and even tho I love my boys it was kinda a dick move to have monsta x come back while they were so early into promotions.
Gugudan is really just sejeong ft. the other girls and vocally I think they're the most talented out of all the groups mentioned in this list, so it's just sad to see them not using sejeong's popularity in the right way.