What is More Important: Fandom Size or General Publicity? K-Netz Answer

In an online Korean community site, a user’s post sparked a debate among fans and netizens, centered on the importance of K-pop artists’ fandoms vs. general public recognition for a long-running career.

In the post, the writer asked the sentiments of netizens if which between idol’s fandom size and popularity in the general public is more important. As soon as the question was posted on Thursday, it already gained more than 50,000 views and approximately 500 comments. 

Among the comments, here are the general views and opinions of K-netizens if which is more significant between having a bigger fandom size instead of having general publicity, vice versa. 

Idol’s Fandom Size

According to netizens, in able to have a long-running career, having a steady fandom is a must. 

They said, “A big fandom will surely help you last long. If you have a core fandom, you will be able to listen and support a song for at least eight to nine years.”

Based on netizens who chose fandom’s size, public recognition is not enough if a K-pop idol or a K-pop group don’t have enough fandom who are supporting them, as people who only know them won’t support them for a long time or every comeback, not unless they join the fandom or lowkey supporters.

“You’ll be over after few hits,” says netizens. 

In addition to this, other commentators explained that having general publicity will only make the crowd listen and stream these K-pop group’s songs but won’t always or don’t buy their albums at all. Since idol’s revenues were based on their digital and physical album, goods, merchandise, and concerts income, fandom is the key.

General Public Popularity and Recognition

On the other side, some netizens believe that general public popularity is the more significant aspect of having a long-running career. 

Netizens commented, “If a K-pop artist have public recognition, you can gain a decent-sized fandom.”

Also, groups who have general public recognition help K-pop groups either have a big fandom; that’s why its combined energy is strong, or it is a small-sized fandom, but members are powerful and influential—result if being known in public.

Some of the K-pop artists who receive public recognition despite having small fandoms are Psy and MOMOLAND, who skyrocketed after releasing their hit songs, “Gangnam Style,” and “Boom Boom.”

On the other hand, some netizens are saying that both aspects are needed to have a long-running career. According to them, if idols will have public recognition, then they can have a fandom. But if the fandom will not be maintained and sustained, then an idol can lose both. 

Some of the K-pop groups that are mentioned in the post are WINNER, BtoB, and BIGBANG, who are said to be so good on balancing public recognition and having steady fandom. 

Also, BTS, TWICE, EXO, and BLACKPINK started with a small fandom until they gained general public recognition due to their hit songs to have a stable fandom. Through these fandoms, the mentioned groups are continuously gaining more popularity in the parts of the world where K-pop is barely known, a huge evidence that the two aspects are needed to have balance and long-running career.

What are you thoughts? Share them with us in the comments!