Is Red Velvet Losing Popularity Amidst Group Hiatus?
Recent discussions suggest that Red Velvet may be losing their popularity and success. However, this perception might be due to their group hiatus and the SM Entertainment policy of not promoting solo members too thoroughly. Last year was a prolific period for them, even before the scandal involving member Irene.
The Context of Red Velvet’s Hiatus
Red Velvet’s last OT5 comeback, “Psycho,” took place on December 23, 2019. This was followed by a long hiatus period. During this hiatus, the group has been primarily focusing on individual work, such as Seulgi and Irene’s sub-unit with “Monster” and Wendy’s solo comeback with “Like Water.” While such activities might give the impression that the group is relatively quiet, it’s important to remember that the public’s interest in a full group activity often wanes unless a member or members become Instagram famous or attract social media attention for some reason. Joy also returned with “Hello” in May 2021, further emphasizing the individual focus.
Comparison with TWICE and BLACKPINK
Other groups, such as TWICE and BLACKPINK, have been more active. TWICE had a full group comeback on October 26, 2020, with “I Can’t Stop Me” and also had a Japanese comeback on April 20, 2021, with “Kura Kura.” Additionally, they had another comeback titled “Alcohol Free” on June 9, 2021. BLACKPINK, on the other hand, had their last comeback with “How You Like That” on June 26, 2020, which is within the norm for YG Entertainment’s marketing strategy. Rosé, one of the members, also had a solo debut on March 12, 2021, with “On The Ground.”
Understanding the Impact of Long Hiatuses
From a data analytics perspective, it’s understandable that when a group, especially a K-pop one, doesn’t remain in the public eye for a considerable period, they tend to lose their popularity. Red Velvet’s long hiatus, with a gap of 595 days since their last comeback, is significantly longer than the hiatuses of TWICE and BLACKPINK (45 days and 343 days, respectively). This long gap can indeed lead to a decline in public interest, unless a member generates significant media attention during their hiatus.
Speculation and Hope for Red Velvet’s Future Comeback
Despite the long hiatus, there are speculations that Red Velvet might make a comeback this summer. This potential turnaround would be a significant boost for the group. I personally believe that Wendy deserves a period to rest after such a severe injury. Although criticism towards Wendy is prevalent, it is important to respect her recovery and well-being.
Conclusion and Recommendation
It’s worth noting that Red Velvet has a strong foundation, and their upcoming comeback could bring them back to the spotlight. Until then, the groups’ individual efforts are worth acknowledging and supporting. For those interested in Red Velvet’s music, I recommend the song “Kingdom Come” for a taste of their unique sound. While it’s not from a comeback, it’s a great example of their diverse musical capabilities.
Stay tuned for any official announcements regarding Red Velvet’s comeback, and continue to appreciate the group’s contributions to K-pop with individual songs and sub-unit activities.