Netizens Claim BABYMONSTER Is Missing Key Ingredient For Success

Netizens are saying BABYMONSTER is lacking star quality.

On November 27, BABYMONSTER made their long-awaited debuts. The group has already faced multiple hurdles in their young careers including delays and the departure of one of the group’s most-anticipated members, Ahyeon.

BABYMONSTER’s Ahyeon Reportedly Leaves Group — YG Entertainment Responds

It’s against these headwinds that BABYMONSTER released their debut single, “Batter Up.” The powerful song harkens back to BLACKPINK and 2NE1 anthems, and its music video revels in all of the label’s past glory and glamour.

Netizens’ reaction to the song and music video, however, was largely dismissive. Many criticized the classic YG visual tropes as predictable and the song as outdated.

BABYMONSTER’s Long-Awaited Debut Falls Flat

Another glaring sentiment was that the group was lacking star appeal. The criticism is surprising in that it is aimed at the group following in the footsteps of BLACKPINK, a group whose members are each superstars in their own right.

“First and foremost, there are no eye-catching members… Who is the main?”
“The music video and their styling is so corny.”
“There is no member that just pops out at you.”
“There is no member that has that IT factor.”
“Nothing about this group blows me away. Not their music video, dance, or outfits. I don’t know what the group is trying to represent.”
“It’s too bad they don’t have a member that catches your eye.”

Considering that some of K-Pop’s biggest stars are women and that each successful group is anchored by two or more superstars, such as IVE‘s Jang Wonyoung and Ahn Yujin, aespa‘s Winter and Karina, and all of the members for NewJeans, BABYMONSTER will have to change this sentiment to succeed.