K-Pop Boy Bands Face Decline Amidst “Yin Dominance” Trend

In recent years, the K-pop landscape has seen a persistent dominance of girl groups, with their music consistently outperforming that of their male counterparts in terms of widespread popularity.

This trend is not lost on the artists themselves. Yeonjun, a member of the South Korean boy group TXT, has openly commented on the comparatively lower mainstream appeal of male idols when contrasted with girl groups. Indeed, since the phenomenal success of BTS, South Korean music agencies have struggled to replicate the colossal impact achieved by earlier powerhouse groups such as Bigbang, TVXQ!, and EXO.

Several factors are contributing to this perceived decline. On one hand, there’s a perceived dip in the overall visual appeal and styling of male idol groups, with some opting for overly “greasy” or dated aesthetics that lack the fresh, captivating edge of their predecessors. Musically, many groups continue to lean heavily on EDM and a “youthful angst” sound, often prioritizing high-energy dance tracks. While these can be impactful, they sometimes offer limited depth or melodic appeal, making it challenging to capture and retain the attention of a broad audience seeking substance beyond the performance.

When viewed retrospectively, established groups like Bigbang, TVXQ!, and EXO set incredibly high benchmarks that have proven difficult for subsequent generations to meet or exceed.

Furthermore, consumer trust has been eroded by a concerning frequency of “troublesome” behavior from male idols. For instance, in June of this year, Moon Taeil, a former member of NCT, faced serious criminal charges. Similarly, Zhou Haknyeon of The Boyz was reportedly terminated and removed from the group due to inappropriate conduct. Such incidents significantly shake consumer confidence and tarnish the image of male K-pop acts. This confluence of factors is making the path forward increasingly challenging for South Korean boy groups, signaling an urgent need to discover new avenues for growth and reinvention.