In the cutthroat world of K-pop, achieving viral success can make or break an artist's career.
Recently, rookie boy group 82MAJOR found themselves embroiled in controversy after allegations surfaced that their management, Great M Entertainment, had fabricated their rise to fame.
The controversy stems from a viral online post that claimed 82MAJOR had topped the U.S. radio charts with their hit track "Choke."
The post, which garnered significant attention with over 24 thousand views, highlighted a chart from Digital Radio Tracker supposedly placing the group at number 1.
However, closer scrutiny revealed several discrepancies. Digital Radio Tracker clarified that while "Choke" did indeed achieve top placement, it was on a chart monitoring independent radio stations, not the mainstream U.S. radio charts as implied.
This distinction led many netizens to accuse Great M Entertainment of orchestrating a misleading narrative to boost the group's visibility, using FIFTY FIFTY's previous success as a catalyst.
Read also: 82Major Now 2023: Members, Bio, + What Makes Them Stand Out from Other K-Pop BoyBands! [Details]
FIFTY FIFTY, a girl group that previously achieved viral fame with their hit song "Cupid," had itself faced controversy despite its success.
The group, under a smaller company, had managed to capture widespread attention but not without its own share of scrutiny.
The allegations against Great M Entertainment suggest a strategy of "fake virality" or "mediaplay" - manufacturing the appearance of organic popularity through misleading or exaggerated claims.
This tactic, while not uncommon in the competitive world of K-pop, raises ethical concerns about transparency and authenticity in the industry.
Despite the controversy, it cannot be denied that 82MAJOR has gained some new listeners through these efforts.
- I think they might soar too; I watched the music video several times because it's so visually appealing, almost like watching models.
- I watched the music video, it's really trendy. The members' styling gives a street model vibe. Looking at the comments, everyone seems to want to see a small miracle
- As expected, my idol sense... This group's songs are good, and their stage presence is awesome too. They perform so well, I watched everything without skipping.
- Buzz I'm leaving~ I'm leaving~ Wow, the music video and styling are cool, probably the hippest I've seen recently
- Oh, I'm seeing them for the first time, but they've got a vibe, haha. It feels like they're reminiscent of the second generation boy groups from the 2010s, but their music is very trendy. And the members are... quite appealing, it could catch on, haha.
- Wow, it feels like a reinterpretation of early 2000s dance singers, with a touch of sophistication and hipness added...
The exposure from the viral post did introduce the group to audiences who might not have otherwise discovered them. However, whether this exposure translates into sustainable fan support remains to be seen.
KpopStarz owns this article.
Written by Cassidy Jones.
