SG Entertainment’s Lackluster Year Compared to Competitors
In 2023, major entertainment companies have made headlines with remarkable musical achievements, especially SM Entertainment, whose group aespa’s track “Supernova”dominated the music scene, clinching the top position on charts for an impressive 99 days. JYP Entertainment’s DAY6 also gained notable traction on the charts, while HYBE’s roster, featuring veterans like SEVENTEEN, has consistently yielded success. Yet, YG Entertainment—the historically influential member of the Big 4—is conspicuously absent from similar accolades, leaving many to ask: what went wrong?
2023: A Dismal Year for YG Entertainment
As 2023 draws to a close, YG Entertainment remains the only major player yet to release a hit song or album. Unless a miracle occurs, this year will likely be etched in memory as a “complete failure” for the agency.
Chart Performance Highlights from Competitors
According to data from Circle Chart, a total of 38 songs reached the monthly top 10 by September, climbing to 43 when including early October figures. Competing companies—SM, JYP, and HYBE—each celebrated at least one #1 song in the monthly rankings, contributing 50% of the monthly top 10 hits this year. Specifically, SM produced six, JYP five, and HYBE eight top 10 songs, showcasing a dominating presence in the industry.
Top Songs and Artist Rankings
From January to September, notable #1 songs included:
- Taeyeon’s “To. X”
- IU’s “Love Wins All”
- BIBI’s “Bam Yang Gang”
- ILLIT’s “Magnetic”
- ZICO’s “SPOT!”
- aespa’s “Supernova” (June-August)
- DAY6’s “HAPPY”
New artists such as NewJeans, LE SSERAFIM, RIIZE, and TWS frequently appeared in these charts, indicating robust competition.
YG’s Struggles with Up-and-Coming Artists
Among YG’s roster, the girl group BABYMONSTER only managed a #12 rank on the May chart, significantly trailing behind competitors like ILLIT, who achieved #1 in April and #2 in May, and other emerging groups that have managed to capture the public’s attention. This raises questions about YG’s ability to generate buzz around its artists.
Album Sales: A Comparative Analysis
In terms of album sales—a critical measure of an artist’s popularity—BABYMONSTER has seen some success among debut girl groups, selling around 400,000 copies of their first mini-album within its opening week. However, they are closely matched by ILLIT, which sold roughly 380,000 copies of their debut album. The disparity between sales and overall performance raises concerns about future potential.
The Challenge Ahead for YG Entertainment
Despite Yang Hyun-suk’s prominent position and the initial buzz surrounding BABYMONSTER, the group’s digital and public engagement has significantly underperformed. Notably, YG Entertainment is the only major agency this year without a million-selling album; artists such as SEVENTEEN, Stray Kids, and aespa have all reached this milestone.
YG’s boy group TREASURE achieved million-seller status last year with their second album but has since released nothing new. Their single “KING KONG,”released last May, only reached #713 on Melon’s daily chart, highlighting a concerning decline in both production and popularity.
A Critical Moment: The Release of DRIP
As the year nears its end, BABYMONSTER’s upcoming full album, DRIP, set for release on November 1st, represents YG’s last opportunity to achieve notable success in 2023. Unfortunately, both title tracks have yet to chart within the daily top 100, casting further doubt on YG’s prospects.
In conclusion, amidst a backdrop of competitive success among rival agencies, YG Entertainment’s struggles in 2023 cannot be overlooked. The fading influence of its once-dominant roster raises questions about the future direction and potential revival of the company.
Source: Daum
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