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Note: before I begin the discussion, I want to note that I am a girl group stan, and have little knowledge on boy groups in terms of debuts and impact etc. I did do a little bit of googling for some of the boy groups I've heard of, but if you wish to contribute more please do!
So, as we all know, 4th gen began in 2018 with the debuts of (G)I-DLE and IZ*ONE predominantely signifying the beginning of the new generation. Within this generation, a new sound has been created. The popular sexy concept of 2nd gen is now long gone, and the cute concept of 3rd gen dying rapidly, the new generation is predominantly known for its elegant or intense concepts.
For many years, whenever a new group has debuted, a "new generation" is questioned. However, many have rightfully pointed out that 4th gen had not been around for a very long time, and so claiming 5th gen was on its way was seen as ridiculous. However, it is now half way through 2022. This means 4th gen has been around for nearly 4 years.
While that may not seem like a long time, let's compare the widely accepted ranges of different generations.
Generation 1 is often considered the longest generation due to the fact Kpop was still finding an identity and wasn't really stable. A lot of sources also widely claim of a generation 1.5, which also gets grouped within the timeline of generation 1. According to a source I found, generation 1 is considered between 1990 and 2004 and consisted of acts like BoA and S.E.S. This means the generation is considered to have lasted 14 years.
Next was Generation 2, which is a lot more recognised by 3rd and 4th gen stans in comparison to 1st gen. It is considered to have begun in 2005 and lasted until 2011. The second generation saw a massive increase in the number of competing groups, with groups such as SNSD and 2NE1 competitng in the girl group sector, as well as SHINee and Big Bang in the boy group sector (as well as MANY others!). This means the generation is considered to have lasted 6 years.
Generation 3 is the most likely the generation most people here are familiar with. While it began in 2012 (groups such as AOA and EXO), many groups that truely represent the 3rd generation debuted between 2014-2017, such as TWICE, Red Velvet, Monsta X, NCT and of course, BTS and BLACKPINK. While we mustn't forget the importance of the generations that walked before us that helped solidify kpop to what it is today, the 3rd gen was the time we begun to see Kpop really spread across the world, and many current stans found kpop due to 3rd gen groups (mainly BTS and BLACKPINK). The 3rd gen ended in 2017, making it the shortest generation so far, with only 5 years.
So that takes us to now. 2024 could mark the beginning of generation 5 if we use the 5 year time slot that gen 3 lasted for. However, the idea of generations is very complicated. Usually, a new generation is marked by the debut of a very significant group. If we look at 2022, I would personally say that if generation 4 had lasted longer, 2022 could've easily marked the beginning of a new generation. So far, we've had groups such as IVE, Le Sserafim and NMIXX debut and really change the kpop scene (for girl groups). So if these major groups have already debuted in the 4th gen, what could possibly mark the beginning of gen 5?
Usually, the big 3 (yes, big 3) companies have debuted groups that really solidified themselves as part of a generation. For example, if we look at JYP Entertainment, we can see Wonder Girls and Miss A in Gen 2, TWICE in Gen 3, and ITZY and NMIXX in Gen 4. JYP produces girl groups at a very excellerated rate. Their next girl group is likely to be 3-4 years from NMIXX, which would fall around 2025. We also are yet to see a new YG Girl Group to follow from BLACKPINK's legacy. As we are still waiting for this to happen, I personally believe that when YG's next girl group debuts, that will be the starting point of Gen 5.
What do you personally think about this theory?
So, as we all know, 4th gen began in 2018 with the debuts of (G)I-DLE and IZ*ONE predominantely signifying the beginning of the new generation. Within this generation, a new sound has been created. The popular sexy concept of 2nd gen is now long gone, and the cute concept of 3rd gen dying rapidly, the new generation is predominantly known for its elegant or intense concepts.
For many years, whenever a new group has debuted, a "new generation" is questioned. However, many have rightfully pointed out that 4th gen had not been around for a very long time, and so claiming 5th gen was on its way was seen as ridiculous. However, it is now half way through 2022. This means 4th gen has been around for nearly 4 years.
While that may not seem like a long time, let's compare the widely accepted ranges of different generations.
Generation 1 is often considered the longest generation due to the fact Kpop was still finding an identity and wasn't really stable. A lot of sources also widely claim of a generation 1.5, which also gets grouped within the timeline of generation 1. According to a source I found, generation 1 is considered between 1990 and 2004 and consisted of acts like BoA and S.E.S. This means the generation is considered to have lasted 14 years.
Next was Generation 2, which is a lot more recognised by 3rd and 4th gen stans in comparison to 1st gen. It is considered to have begun in 2005 and lasted until 2011. The second generation saw a massive increase in the number of competing groups, with groups such as SNSD and 2NE1 competitng in the girl group sector, as well as SHINee and Big Bang in the boy group sector (as well as MANY others!). This means the generation is considered to have lasted 6 years.
Generation 3 is the most likely the generation most people here are familiar with. While it began in 2012 (groups such as AOA and EXO), many groups that truely represent the 3rd generation debuted between 2014-2017, such as TWICE, Red Velvet, Monsta X, NCT and of course, BTS and BLACKPINK. While we mustn't forget the importance of the generations that walked before us that helped solidify kpop to what it is today, the 3rd gen was the time we begun to see Kpop really spread across the world, and many current stans found kpop due to 3rd gen groups (mainly BTS and BLACKPINK). The 3rd gen ended in 2017, making it the shortest generation so far, with only 5 years.
So that takes us to now. 2024 could mark the beginning of generation 5 if we use the 5 year time slot that gen 3 lasted for. However, the idea of generations is very complicated. Usually, a new generation is marked by the debut of a very significant group. If we look at 2022, I would personally say that if generation 4 had lasted longer, 2022 could've easily marked the beginning of a new generation. So far, we've had groups such as IVE, Le Sserafim and NMIXX debut and really change the kpop scene (for girl groups). So if these major groups have already debuted in the 4th gen, what could possibly mark the beginning of gen 5?
Usually, the big 3 (yes, big 3) companies have debuted groups that really solidified themselves as part of a generation. For example, if we look at JYP Entertainment, we can see Wonder Girls and Miss A in Gen 2, TWICE in Gen 3, and ITZY and NMIXX in Gen 4. JYP produces girl groups at a very excellerated rate. Their next girl group is likely to be 3-4 years from NMIXX, which would fall around 2025. We also are yet to see a new YG Girl Group to follow from BLACKPINK's legacy. As we are still waiting for this to happen, I personally believe that when YG's next girl group debuts, that will be the starting point of Gen 5.
What do you personally think about this theory?
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