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Analysis of NewJeans: Popularity, Performances, and Influences

GOOVER DAILY REPORT 6/5/2024
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. Introduction
  2. Overview of NewJeans
  3. Popularity Analysis
  4. Recent Performances
  5. Impact of Controversies
  6. Market Influence
  7. Future Directions
  8. Glossary
  9. Conclusion
  10. Source Documents

1. Introduction

  • This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the K-pop girl group NewJeans, focusing on their popularity, performances, recent controversies, and individual member contributions based on the gathered data.

2. Overview of NewJeans

  • 2-1. Introduction to NewJeans

  • NewJeans is a prominent K-pop girl group that has gained popularity for their unique style and substantial fan engagement. Formed under the management of Adore, a subsidiary of HYBE, they have quickly risen to be one of the significant players in the global music scene.

  • 2-2. Current Members and Roles

  • As of the latest data, NewJeans consists of five members: Minji, Hani, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein. Each member plays a crucial role within the group, contributing to their vocals, performances, and overall group dynamics. For instance, during the recent performances, Danielle took on the role of a solo MC, displaying her versatility. Notably, Hyein was absent from recent comeback activities due to a foot injury.

  • 2-3. Group Formation and Debut

  • NewJeans debuted under Adore amidst significant interest due to their association with the larger HYBE corporation. They have been active since their formation, consistently captivating audiences with their performances and musical releases. Their initial rise was marked by their debut single, and they have continued to build on their success with subsequent releases. Despite facing internal management disputes between Adore's CEO Min Hee-jin and HYBE, the group has maintained a strong performance presence.

3. Popularity Analysis

  • 3-1. Most Popular Members

  • Based on gathered data from multiple sources, Haerin is considered the most popular member of NewJeans. Various fan polls indicate that she is often ranked first. However, viewership of fancams shows Hanni leading, followed by Haerin, Minji, Danielle, and Hyein. Additionally, Hanni, despite being a foreigner, has a large fanbase both domestically and internationally. In domestic rankings, Haerin typically takes the top spot with Hanni close behind. Hyein enjoys more domestic popularity compared to Danielle, who is more favored by international fans. Haerin also demonstrated high sales figures in countries like China and Japan.

  • 3-2. Fan Polls and Rankings

  • Detailed analysis of fan polls highlights Haerin as the most favored member by fans. Online comments and rankings consistently place her at the top, followed by Hanni and Minji. Despite the variations in rankings, Haerin remains a dominant figure in fan polls. The initial ranking upon their debut was Minji leading followed by Haerin, Hanni, Danielle, and Hyein, but recent trends show Haerin topping the lists with Hanni and Minji following sequentially. Fans have recognized Hanni's all-rounder abilities, contributing to her high ranking.

  • 3-3. Social Media and Endorsements

  • Data from various sources indicate NewJeans' significant presence on social media and endorsements. Hanni, notable for her international background, has secured major endorsement deals. She became a global ambassador for Gucci within three months of NewJeans' debut and later for Armani Beauty. The group has also achieved substantial social media popularity, being tagged as 'game-changers' in the industry. As per Forbes Korea, NewJeans is ranked third among the most powerful Korean celebrities of 2024, highlighting their social media influence and market presence. This popularity is a monumental achievement given their recent debut.

4. Recent Performances

  • 4-1. Notable Performances

  • On June 21, 2024, NewJeans performed at the '2024 Korea On Stage' event held at Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul. This event was significant as it marked their first official stage appearance since the management dispute between their agency ADOR and parent company HYBE became public. Despite the unrest, the members delivered a steady performance that was well-received by the audience. The event, organized by the National Heritage Promotion Agency, was held to promote the excellence and beauty of national heritage domestically and internationally.

  • 4-2. Reception and Fan Reactions

  • The performance at Gyeongbokgung Palace was met with enthusiastic applause from the approximately 2,500 attendees. Fans appreciated the fusion of traditional Korean elements with modern K-pop, as the members performed in hanbok. One fan, identified as Almu Valleverde from Spain, stated that NewJeans' performance, blending traditional and contemporary aspects, stood out to him and confirmed his continued support despite the agency dispute. Member Minji reassured fans through the fan communication platform Phoning, expressing the group's resilience and determination. Daniel also shared sentiments of overcoming current difficulties.

  • 4-3. Member-specific Highlights

  • During the event, member Hyein was absent due to a foot injury, leaving the remaining four members to take the stage. Daniel took on a dual role, first as the solo MC and later joining the performance. The group performed 'Cool With You,' 'Ditto,' 'ETA,' and 'Super Shy,' receiving praise for their vibrant and confident appearance. Haerin expressed the honor and significance of performing at Gyeongbokgung Palace. Their performance managed to maintain their usual energy and vibrancy despite ongoing management issues.

5. Impact of Controversies

  • 5-1. Management Disputes

  • The management dispute between ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin and HYBE had significant ramifications within the K-pop industry. In a public statement, Min accused HYBE of copying the blueprint of NewJeans for the debut of another girl group named ILLIT, which stirred controversy. The conflict highlighted deep-seated issues in the K-pop world where much of the artistic control lies with the agencies rather than the artists.

  • 5-2. Effect on Album Sales

  • The controversy adversely affected NewJeans' album sales. Their single 'How Sweet,' released on the 24th of the previous month, recorded initial sales of 884,717 copies, a decrease of approximately 46.3% compared to their previous mini album 'Get Up,' which sold 1,650,181 copies in the first week. The drop in album sales was partly attributed to the prolonged management dispute, which may have weakened fan unity, according to industry analysis.

  • 5-3. Fan Community Response

  • The fan community's response to the management dispute was mixed. While NewJeans continued to perform well on major charts such as Melon, Bugs, and Flo, the controversy over their management appeared to impact the overall fan sentiment. Some fans showed concern over the stability and direction of the group amidst the internal conflict. Additionally, members of NewJeans expressed emotional distress about the situation, as claimed by Min Hee-jin.

6. Market Influence

  • 6-1. Achieving Milestone Sales

  • NewJeans has achieved significant milestones in their sales since their debut in 2022. They became the first K-pop female act to sell more than 1 million copies of a debut album. Additionally, their sophomore extended play 'Get Up' hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. The group also broke the Guinness World Record for being the fastest K-pop act to reach 1 billion streams on Spotify, surpassing renowned acts such as BTS and BLACKPINK.

  • 6-2. Brand Endorsements

  • NewJeans has been making significant strides in brand endorsements. Their high visibility and rapid rise in popularity have garnered them several lucrative brand deals. For example, Hyein, one of the group members, was featured at the Louis Vuitton Pre-Fall 2023 fashion show, showcasing the group's influence in the fashion industry. These endorsements bolster their market influence and expand their reach beyond just music fans.

  • 6-3. Global Recognition and Awards

  • NewJeans has gained significant global recognition and has garnered several prestigious awards. They made history by becoming the first K-pop group to win Group of the Year at the 2024 Billboard Women in Music Awards. They were also the first female group to be nominated for the 'Top Billboard Global (Excl. U.S.) Artist' award in 2024, competing alongside internationally recognized artists like Taylor Swift, The Weeknd, Bad Bunny, and Ed Sheeran. Furthermore, they were featured in Forbes Korea's list of most powerful Korean celebrities of 2024, ranking third – a testament to their substantial influence and prominence.

7. Future Directions

  • 7-1. Upcoming Releases and Performances

  • NewJeans is set to release their debut single 'Supernatural' in Japan on the 21st of the next month. Additionally, they will be holding a fan meeting event titled 'Bunnies Camp 2024 Tokyo Dome' on the 26th and 27th of the same month, with tickets for both events already sold out. NewJeans will be the first overseas artist to fill the Tokyo Dome in such a short period after their debut of just 1 year and 11 months.

  • 7-2. Strategic Insights from Current Trends

  • Despite the controversy surrounding their management, NewJeans maintained high chart positions with their latest singles 'How Sweet' and 'Bubble Gum', ranking 2nd and 3rd on major charts such as Melon, Bugs, and Flo. However, their latest album 'How Sweet' experienced a significant drop in initial sales, selling 884,717 copies, which is a 46.3% decrease compared to the initial sales of their previous album 'Get Up'. This decline has raised concerns about the possible weakening of their fandom due to internal disputes within their agency, although industry experts suggest the overall K-pop market is also going through a transitional phase, affecting sales across various groups.

8. Glossary

  • 8-1. NewJeans [K-Pop Group]

  • A South Korean girl group consisting of members Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein. Known for their unique approach to K-pop, the group has gained significant popularity and has been involved in multiple brand endorsements and international performances.

  • 8-2. Haerin [Member of NewJeans]

  • Haerin stands out due to her unique vocal talent and visual appeal, often compared to cat-like facial features. She has significant fan engagement and is considered one of the popular members, especially in domestic fan bases.

  • 8-3. Hanni [Member of NewJeans]

  • Hanni has gained a robust international following due to her Vietnamese-Australian background and her role as an all-rounder in the group. She has secured endorsements from high-profile brands such as Gucci and Armani Beauty.

  • 8-4. Minji [Member of NewJeans]

  • Minji is recognized for her leadership qualities and visual appeal. She has a dedicated fanbase and often contributes significantly to the group's performances and public appearances.

  • 8-5. Adore (ADOR) [Agency]

  • The agency managing NewJeans, under the parent company HYBE. ADOR faced internal management disputes which impacted the group's activities and album sales.

  • 8-6. HYBE [Parent Company]

  • The parent company of ADOR and several other K-pop agencies. Known for managing major acts like BTS and involved in the recent management controversies with ADOR.

9. Conclusion

  • NewJeans has rapidly risen in the K-pop industry through their unique style, substantial fan engagements, and strategic market presence. Despite facing management controversies, their influence remains robust, marking them as a significant player in the global music scene.

10. Source Documents