Can a KPOP group be successful without the korean and japanese market?

[GuardianofTheCosmicRealm]

Is KARD a good example that it's possible to do decent outside of Korea?

 

[Yeddong]

Impossible.

 

[Dragon of the West]

Questionable whether KARD would be considered successful. They're not a household name anywhere, have no sales to show for any success and tour at really small venues in the West.

 

[Kingly]

when you say being without the korean or japanese market do you mean not promoting at all there? Because if so then no. KARD is a special case

 

[Riri]

how decent are they outside korea tho?

 

[TWICE•MOMO]

It's hard to say yes.

I mean Japan for most groups-even if they sort of don't do well in that market like Red Velvet can be a huge touring gravy train. If you flop in that country and they don't care about you at all than your biggest potential touring money maker is gone.
This isn't a problem if you can establish a dedicated fanbase willing to support you in other countries. But this is also difficult to do.

Same for Korea. If you don't do well on the charts it doesn't matter if you can get a big enough fan base that will support you really well and you'll be able to ship a fair amount of albums a year and at least have a home base for concerts.

But if you were to say if a group fails to capture a Korean or Japanese fandom to at least some extent can they be successful? No, not at all. You will practically make 0 money from charting in other countries for 99% of groups, without Japan and Korea it's unlikely you'll ship albums so that's an enormous revenue stream dead and again touring will be either a, non existent or B, most likely in much much smaller venues. Topping that you'll likely not see many endorsements or CF's so money making will be likely impossible.

Look at groups who don't do well in Korea or Japan. Weki Meki. Pristin, KARD, Loona, etc how many of those groups do you think are making big money? Most likely all are/were in debt still. They can't really tour, sell or build a fandom as for most groups the primary market is Korea-without it you'll always struggle. If you can succeed in Japan like Twice or BTS yeah you're gravy-but you don't need to be huge in Japan to make a ton of money and secure a lengthy career.

 

[SM's Kunta Kinte Silence]

Yes.

So long as other countries exist they call always successful.

SEA exists, for one, as well as Hongkong, Taiwan, and China (even with it's unofficial ban, that won't stop fans from buying albums or flying out to concerts).

And tbh, even if the chances are small, so long as other countries exist, so can their chances of success.

 

[Echo]

Depends how you define success... If you think worldwide recognition is the most important, then yeah. If you think making a name for themselves in their own country (or Japan, which is a huge market for kpop stars) is the most important, then no obviously. It also depends on whether the group is focusing on gaining general public's interest or a sustainable fandom

 

[yooamygirls]

I think it depends on the definition of success. As long as your goal is to earn enough money to keep the group afloat and release music, then I think it's possible. As long as you remain niche in western countries and do small tours regularly, groups can continue on, but I don't think they'll ever be able to reach the 'TOP 3' or whatever by that alone. For that, you need to be active & successful in Korea, and Japan to a certain extent for the money.

 

[fullofjoy]

No. The other market just hops onto trend; soon or later they will forever about you. Korea and Japan will have your back as they TRULY understand the group better!

 

[Pyron]

Successful as becoming a household name in the entertainment industry? I don't think so. Becoming a niche successful artist? Yes.

 

[DivineSeoyeon]

No lol

 

[lusobr]

If we are talking specifically about Kard, it's hard to say. We would need actual figures of how well they are doing to make an accurate assessment.

My guess and opinion is no. The cost of promoting overseas is a lot higher than domestically or in neighboring Japan, specially in the Americas which are across the entire planet. Not to mention most other markets are either smaller than that of Korea/Japan or have way more competition and barrier for success. I doubt any group focusing on markets outside of the two aforementioned countries are bringing in huge profits. Maybe if you focus on SEA you can make some money, but even then, you are deciding to work on a smaller market, with a weaker economy. I doubt the returns are much to talk about.

I think the groups that do are making a little bit of money otherwise they wouldn't at all, but it's highly unlikely they are making anything more than a living. Some groups don't have much of a domestic audience and don't really appeal to the Japanese market, so I understand them capitalizing on some countries that showed interest and are giving them work, but I am sure if they could get the same audience at home they would jump at the chance and not spend so much money promoting elsewhere.

The only way to be successful without your home country or the second biggest music market is to become so huge internationally that you can actually compete and make money in the USA, like BTS has done. That not only is incredibly hard, it also isn't repeatable. I think every nationality in the world would find it impossible to grow internationally also without at least some national success, which is their case.

 

[yknok]

Kard's Dumb Litty, released Sept 21 - 4.86m views

Bol4's Workerholic, released Sep 10 - 4.37m views
(Bol4 has no presence outside of Korea)

Enough said.