I listened to the hearts of fans I have summarized five issues of 2022 in the stone world.
1. Platform movement, termination of V-app service in 2022 and wilderness club
VApp has provided services and announced the end of this year. The service, which was released on Naver in August 2015 and loved by fans as a real- time streaming service, was integrated with Weverse last year when Naver and Hive joined hands. As a result, except for artists who transfer to Weverse, it will not be possible to reprocess or repost content existing in the existing V-live. SM Entertainment ended its existing Lysn community service on July 20 this year and transferred its function to its new application, KWANGYA CLUB.
2. Suspension of BTS group activities and start of individual activities
On June 15 this year, controversy continued over BTS, which declared a temporary suspension of group activities for the first time in nine years since its debut. Their strong supporters, ARMY, cheered, but it was difficult to know the members and the company’s clear long- term position on the suspension, given the soaring stock prices of Big Hit and Hive, and their military enlistment problems. However, just as they needed a short break to go further, the various steps that RM, Jungkook, and members have been showing since J-Hope stopped their group activities were too important to fill their respective energy and look back on their lives. They have done well, they are doing well and they will do well. With Jin announcing his enlistment in December. In 2023, we look forward to their move to grow further in their respective positions.
3. The heyday of K-pop girl groups
The song “ELEVEN” has been on the rise since the beginning of the year. This year has become a year that cannot be discussed without Ive, including “Love Dive” and “Afterlike.” In addition, Jang Won-young received love calls from various brands from Fred to Miu Miu, and became an icon that captivated the hearts of various generations from teenagers to 30s and 40s. Le Seraphim once had an issue of Kim Ga-ram’s school violence, but soon became stronger as it responded quickly and gained popularity from “FEALESS” to “ANTIFRAGILE.” In addition, (G)I- DLE came out with stronger teamwork and a concept called “TOMBOY” that was not in the history of girl groups despite the issue of leaving the members. Newjeans, whose existence itself is sensational and has captivated all generations with powerful tracks that you can’t escape once you hear them. Billy’s Tsuki imprinted his presence on the public with just one thumbnail. Espa, BLACKPINK, and N.Mix. Isn’t this the year when the whole world was crazy about K-pop girl groups?
4. Welcome name, comeback as a whole group
February, BTOB gathered again after the military discharge, Big Bang’s full album in April, Girls’ Generation in August, and KARA’s year- end GOD concert in November. This year, the welcome names in the memory, which seemed to fade little by little, returned as a complete group. Who was the name that was most welcoming to you?
