2018 debuted Kpop GGs: who is still holding on?

[Katniss]

After doing one for 2019 and 2020, I now go back to see how many girl groups from 2018 are still active. I was surprised by how many from 2019 were already inactive or disbanded, so I expect lots of sad stories. Still hoping for some successful ones as well
I put one MV if they still did something in 2020.

Again, if you have any information or I forgot something/a group, please comment. I did some research, but didn't spend hours on each group, so I might have missed things.

Girlkind
Yay, first one I looked for is still active. Not a lot of views, but chill song. Recommended for when you’re relaxing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fr6WtJ-r0FI

Fromis_9
I think most people at least know of them. I expected them to be a bit more successful, but I think they’re still doing well enough.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nvnQcr3CqY

Dpop Friends
They did some covers of other groups this year, but the amount of views makes me feel sorry for them (less than 100).

Sha Sha
Disbanded in 2019.

A.Z.M
Can’t find much more than their debut.

Red Mint
Probably disbanded in 2019.

Honey Popcorn
Had good views for a nugu, but that is probably due to the controversy surrounding their former careers.
Don't see a come back this year.

Sio Sijak
Don’t see a come back, but they did post some content earlier in the year.

My Darling
They posted some social media content, but see no MV.

(G)I-dle
Finally, some good news. A group that does really well, but I think you all know that
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=om3n2ni8luE

UNI.T
Disbanded less than half a year after debuting. Nice name, though.

KHAN
Last activity was more than a year ago.

Prism
Posted a dance video on the last day of 2019. Don’t see much else.
Not to be confused with Prisma.

GBB
Disbanded in March, 2020

CST
Don’t think they did anything.

Bburector
What kinda name is that? Anyway, don’t think they did anything but a digital single in 2018.

NEONPUNCH
They disbanded this year, but some members moved to XUM. They had controversy already. I put a link if you’re interested
https://www.malaymail.com/news/showbiz/2020/09/24/k-pop-company-apologises-after-girl-group-xum-insults-filipino-african-nati/1906225

Saturday
I especially liked their song Wifi last year, and am glad they’re still at it. Read that they’re in financial trouble (probably due to Covid), but that their CEO believes in them and will try to keep supporting. Maybe give them a view in support, if you like?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXZCzFvs1tw

AiRiSu
Don’t think they did much.

Nature
Glad to see another one with a MV. At least they got more than a million views. Like the song too
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRUNTOqCmAM

Cherry on Top
No MV, but they’re still posting dance covers.

Loona
And we’re to one of the most successful ones with a 2018 debut. It's one of the most ambitious projects ever in Kpop. Stan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6li05zh3Kg

Alike
Disbanded in 2019

Camila
Disbanded in 2019

Tropical
Disbanded in 2019. Hope I’m not boring you.

We Girls
Don’t see anything about disbandment, but little activity.

Kitten Girls
Probably disbanded in 2018.

GWSN
They haven’t really been on my radar, despite doing quite well. Sorry!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUT58qBbE4Y3Y4FClOJOfrg

YJIG
Disbanded in 2019

Flow Sister
Knew about them before, as the girls with a MV that was them dancing on a dirt road and being panned for their dancing. Don’t think they did anything more.

Destiny
Don’t see any activity this year.

Sugar Tint
Seemed to have disbanded.

Rose Finger.
Disbanded in 2020

Blue Fox
Posted a dance video this year.

MAYWISH
There was a line-up change in 2019. Can’t find much else.

S#aFLA
What’s with the name? Probably disbanded.

Pink Fantasy
Yay, am just happy with MVs at this point. Do see some people talking about them sometimes. A nugu with some potential.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9YJIF3MjPs

IZ*ONE
One of the biggest girl groups in the world. Too bad they will disband.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnVjsos40qk

Dreamnote
Three MVs in a row. I’m happy. Two members left in 2019.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQ4Ni7KsHoI

Flor_US
Their views are very low. Am surprised they are still so active this year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUusx3n2aSw

Aqua
Don’t think a lot is going on.

A Train to Autumn
Not much happening here either

DIH
Can only find their low-viewed debut

MUSKY
I liked their debut. Last content is from beginning of this year.

12DAL
One of them left in September, the other one keeps the name.

Dewsisters
Don’t see much content after 2019

D:amant
Did anything happen after their debut? Probably not.

75 & Gracie
Give them a view please. Always feel sorry when I see such low views
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XRy-ERl11g

Lots of disbandments or no activity, but some success stories as well.
I try to at least support some of the groups that are still hanging on with little success by enjoying their music.

I didn't do it in the other years, but this is my estimate for success ranking for the top.
It's just an estimate for fun. Didn't check for sales etc.

1. Izone
2. (G)I-dle
3. Loona
4. GWSN
5. Fromis_9
6. Dreamnote or Pink Fantasy (maybe)

Final comment @companies. Please don't use such generic words as Tropical, Saturday, Precious or Nature as the name of a group.
A group should pop up during searches immediately instead of a tropical drink or people talking about their weekend plans.
Only Twice gets away with that

 

[abra]

I'd say that Fromis are more successful than GWSN

 

[MVSica]

Good review! You should do 2017 and 2016 too hehe

 

[Katniss]

I'd say that Fromis are more successful than GWSN

Maybe you're right. Are they better sellers?

 

[MVSica]

Maybe you're right. Are they better sellers?

Yeah they sell a lot better album wise

 

[Katniss]

Good review! You should do 2017 and 2016 too hehe

Thanks
It's for fun, but I also like to see what other people know/think.

Was thinking about at least 2017, but am kind of afraid that the amount of 'disbanded' only increases, the further back we go.
Might still do it, though

Yeah they sell a lot better album wise

Thanks for the info

 

[sm maid]

Nature and Saturday, two of my fave ggs
Hope they can hang in there

Nice thread as always!

 

[Astro]

I hope nature, dreamnote, &
Saturday rise next year

 

[BianTwo]

• WeGirls : the lineup changed too much, even before predebut. They were also tensions among the groups. Ex-member Ellie posted this later.
• Flor_us : one member left recently
• S#aFLA : presumed disbanded
• KHAN : probably disbanded, ex-Ark members are cursed
• Musky : struggling because of COVID but times to times they post on their IG account
• Neonpunch : I'm amazed they manage to survive and still be active even with 3 members now

G-IDLE and IZONE are on top, no doubt
LOONA and fromis_9 are next in rank, with loyal and dedicated fandom but still searching for public recognition

Then the others, still active, in a low tier rank but not totally nugus :

Pink Fantasy lost like half of their members in two years, I hope they can at least keep a stable lineup this time with the 5 remaining
Dreamnote, only one comeback this year, that's not enough. On the other hand they are quite active with vlive, IG and other contents
Nature did an amazing job with GIRLS, they need to take better care of the members because they never had a comeback with the same lineup
Saturday, their label is probably having some financial issue, they are trying to fund their 5th single album on Tumblbug who looks like another copy of Makestar. International fans can't even participate so it doesn't help.
GWSN, they are trying hard with fan service contents, ENG subs, etc, but it's hard

 

[munyuna]

1. Izone
2. (G)I-dle
3. Loona
4. GWSN
5. Fromis_9

fromis is much bigger than gwsn and charts very decently when OTR remembers they exist

2018 was the last year we had several really strong girlgroup debuts, i didn't enjoy the rookie wars back then but i miss having such a busy year

 

[frostpuddle]

Shafla's name actually stands for Sharp and Flat, they had good singers. They were from Vine Entertainment, same agency as Secret Number. Shafla is disbanded already, as their official twitter account stopped its activity on July 2019.

I like Shafla's last release You've Changed, and I usually don't enjoy k-ballad much.


GWSN had a lot of potential when they debuted because of similar vibe to f(x) 4 Walls era (deep house music) and their clear concept (The Park trilogy). They have great b-sides:
GWSN - The Interpretations of Dreams (from The Park In The Night part 3 album)
GWSN - Tweaks (from the Keys album)

I think their sales keep on declining with every comeback, except the most recent one (slight increase), and they only had 1 comeback this year, which is worrying. Taiwanese member Soso has been absent from the group since early 2020 due to health issue, she's gone for almost a year.


Nature killed me with Girls. Hope they continue on the same style and get more success next year.

 

[Whisky23]

I didn't do it in the other years, but this is my estimate for success ranking for the top.
It's just an estimate for fun. Didn't check for sales etc.

1. Izone
2. (G)I-dle
3. Loona
4. GWSN
5. Fromis_9
6. Dreamnote or Pink Fantasy (maybe)

No need to estimate. Although this is just for fun, rankings can be sensitive issues for some fans, so best to stick to facts and figures. Everything you need is here in this Google Sheet:
21st Century (K-POP) Girls Album Sales by Pepper

Based on total physical sales, the top 6 for actively promoting 2018 groups are (rankings are their relative position compared to other GGs):

5. Izone
18. G-Idle
22. Loona
27. Fromis9
57. GWSN
67. Dreamnote

 

[frostpuddle]

1. Izone
2. (G)I-dle
3. Loona
4. GWSN
5. Fromis_9
6. Dreamnote or Pink Fantasy (maybe)

Fromis_9 would have been quite big if they didn't get benched for more than a year due to the rigging scandal. They have domestic popularity, and even with that long hiatus, they still sold a lot.

Total Gaon sales since debut, as of December 2020:
1. Izone - 1.6mil
2. Gidle - 373k
3. Loona - 281k
4. Fromis_9 - 195k
---- huge gap----
Nature - 34k
GWSN - 31k
Dreamnote - 12k
Saturday - 5k
PinkFantasy - 1.8k

 

[eggmcmuffin]

These are a lot girl groups

 

[kimsguardian]

thank you for making this good thread,, i agree with mvsica maybe you want to make for 2017/2016 as well. :yagotit:

idk there's massive gap between fromis & nature sales, but i relieved my girls still hangin there even after this difficult year

 

[Katniss]

Nature and Saturday, two of my fave ggs
Hope they can hang in there

Nice thread as always!

Thank you

I didn't know Nature before looking them up here. I liked the song though and will stream their other songs as well to give some support.

 

[Katniss]

No need to estimate. Although this is just for fun, rankings can be sensitive issues for some fans, so best to stick to facts and figures.

As I said, it was an estimate, I didn't check for sales and it was just for fun.
I didn't base it on sales, but on how often I heard about them and I heard very little of Fromis_9 this year, unfortunately.
Didn't know it was not allowed to estimate things on this forum, but I won't do it again to avoid offending people.

 

[Katniss]

thank you for making this good thread,, i agree with mvsica maybe you want to make for 2017/2016 as well. :yagotit:

idk there's massive gap between fromis & nature sales, but i relieved my girls still hangin there even after this difficult year

You're welcome
I am thinking about doing 2017 now. Afraid of all the disbandments, though.

I hope nature, dreamnote, &
Saturday rise next year

It's nice to see all the appreciation for nugu GGs. Hope they all rise and there will be enough of a market for them to do so.

Fromis_9 would have been quite big if they didn't get benched for more than a year due to the rigging scandal. They have domestic popularity, and even with that long hiatus, they still sold a lot.

Total Gaon sales since debut, as of December 2020:
1. Izone - 1.6mil
2. Gidle - 373k
3. Loona - 281k
4. Fromis_9 - 195k
---- huge gap----
Nature - 34k
GWSN - 31k
Dreamnote - 12k
Saturday - 5k
PinkFantasy - 1.8k

Thank you for the information.

Yes, that hurt them badly unfortunately. I liked their debut a lot, but then that came along.

Little Fromis_9 promo:

 

[Katniss]

thank you for making this good thread,, i agree with mvsica maybe you want to make for 2017/2016 as well. :yagotit:

Just wanted to give you a big THANK YOU for all the work you do in the artist threads of GGs that haven't made it big.
These groups need people like you

 

[Lilac]

Well-written review! (G)I-dle and Fromis_9 are my favs out of 2018 debuted groups. Unfortunately, Honey Popcorn disbanded recently (after you wrote your review)