In the ever-evolving landscape of K-Pop, the debut of a new group is met with much anticipation and excitement. BABYMONSTER, YG Entertainment’s first girl group since BLACKPINK’s debut in 2016, released their debut single BATTER UP on November 27 amidst high expectations. The group debuted with six members: Ruka, Chiquita, Haram, Pharita, Rora and Asa. A seventh member, Ahyeon, is expected to join the group later.
However, YG recently announced that there are no fixed plans for BABYMONSTER to appear on music shows. In a statement released today, YG said that the promotion schedule will be announced once it is finalized. It added that the current focus is on “preparing promotions and follow-up tracks”.
This has left many fans bewildered and disappointed. Most rookie groups would have announced their promotion schedule prior to their debut, allowing fans to support their live appearances.
Fan reactions to the news
Fans have taken to social media to express their concerns, with many feeling that the group deserves better visibility and opportunities to showcase their talents. Among the comments seen online:
- “YG throwing them out there and then … ignoring them completely.”
- “BABYMONSTER literally got the most organic debut by a K-pop group. There was no conference, company dropped a MV (more like a performance video) and called it a debut … There are no shows or appearances scheduled for them.”
- “This is like the best way to sabotage a rookie group.”
- “Sending BABYMONSTER to [2023 MAMA Awards] is a good choice to promote them but nah.”
Music shows are a pivotal platform for K-Pop groups, especially new ones, to gain exposure and build a fanbase. The absence of BABYMONSTER from these shows has fans questioning YG’s commitment to promoting the group effectively.
Mixed reception to BATTER UP
Adding to the controversy, the group’s debut track BATTER UP itself has received mixed reactions. The music video was praised for its performance, and reached 21.44 million views on YouTube within its first 24 hours.
However, the song itself received some criticism. Some fans noted its stylistic similarities to previous YG groups like 2NE1 and BLACKPINK. There were also comments about the track not being innovative enough for a fifth-generation K-Pop group.
Despite these challenges, BABYMONSTER has garnered a significant following, and fans are hopeful that YG Entertainment will take note of the criticism and improve the group’s promotional strategy. The talent and potential of the members are undeniable, and with the right support, BABYMONSTER could rise to prominence in the K-Pop industry.
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