Who are groups considered as the 4th Generation K-pop leaders? In the latest semi-annual report of Hanteo Global, idol groups leading the fourth generation of K-pop - ITZY, aespa, TXT, TREASURE, and more - have been selected!
On July 21, Hanteo Chart and Hanteo Global Co., Ltd. CEO Kwak Young Ho, announced its third semi-annual report, "Hanteo Global K-pop Report: #3 Achievements of the 4th Generation" in the first half of 2021.
In the third report released on the same day, the main characters who will lead the new generation of K-pop with their outstanding performances in each field were also chosen.
Some of the idol groups who showed incredible records in the first half of 2021 include TXT, ITZY, aespa, ENHYPEN, TREASURE, and STAYC - all of whom were selected as the main players to lead the "4th Generation K-pop."
TXT, ENHYPEN, TREASURE, ATEEZ: Male K-pop Groups with Notable Achievements in the First Half of 2021
According to the Hanteo Global K-pop Report, TXT, ENHYPEN, and ATEEZ are expected to experience their "heyday" as K-pop 4th-gen leaders in terms of physical album sales.
In particular, these boy groups showcased amazing album sales with their latest releases.
TXT, who just dropped their new album, The Chaos Chapter: FREEZE," recorded 600,000 album sales on its first week.
ENHYPEN also became a half-million seller with their latest album, "Border: Carnival" with 636, 222 sold copies based on Gaon Music Chart's first half of the year report.
Lastly, ATEEZ's "ZERO: FEVER Part 2" sold approximately 460, 000 album copies.
Meanwhile, the three idol groups along with DREAMCATCHER and TREASURE noted a huge potential for their global fandom firepower.
TREASURE, who debuted in 2019, has been heralded as a cumulative million-seller with their "THE FIRST STEP" series, proving their growing fan base.
Stray Kids was also praised in the report for their influence and growth on social media, predicting the infinite growth potential of the K-pop group in the future.
ALSO READ: BTS, ATEEZ, and More: Hanteo Chart Names the Top 50 K-Pop Artists in the First Half of 2021
ITZY, aespa, STAYC: Female K-pop Groups Who Top the Music Category in the First Half of the Year
In the report, CEO Kwak Young Ho then pointed out that aespa, STAYC, and ITZY performed well in the music category in the first half of the year, which is less than three years after their debut.
aespa and STAYC were particularly regarded for their performance which left a huge impact not only among K-pop enthusiasts but as well as on the music charts.
Despite less than a year since the two girl groups' debut, aespa already made a remarkable record after ranking No. 1 on MelOn Weekly Chart with their hit, earworm track, "Next Level." This marked the first time for an SM Entertainment artist to top the chart after Taeyeon in 2019.
As for STAYC, their latest track "ASAP" also gained continuous interest from the domestic and international charts, becoming their first song to achieve 20 million streams on Spotify.
Lastly, ITZY, two years since their debut, entered the prestigious Billboard 200 for the first time with their EP "Guess Who."
Following this report, which focuses on artists within four years of their debut, Hanteo Global will deal with a specific case analysis of newcomers who have just debuted.
As a result, expectations for the next series have also been raised.
READ MORE: K-Media Outlet Named 6 Male Groups Competing for the Title 'King of K-pop' from the 4th Generation
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Written by Eunice Dawson
