I'm sorry, but you couldn't have told me in 2021 that Ryujin wouldn't be the most popular idol in 4th gen. She was literally being talked about everywhere, everything she did trended and went viral. Maybe ITZY as a whole wavered with success of their releases (even though they're still doing fine), but lets not pretend jype is holding back giving solo schedules to all the members anymore. People's reasoning behind the company's late decision to promote the girls individually was because of Suzy, but, hello? Any company would want another Suzy, they'd get more money AND recognition. JYPE's bad at capitalising on popularity in general, but with Ryujin they messed up particularly hard. A basic selfie of hers in 2021 would literally rake up 2 million likes in half a day. She used to have a few fancams with at LEAST a million views every comeback. Her shoulder dance went mega viral, but all the company did was make them perform it at random events for the next 5 years. People say the company don't like letting members 'shine' individually or give the girls opportunities when they make a bit of noise. But they DO. Only now, it's later and the noise isn't as loud as it would have been a few years back. When Chaeryeong started going viral on variety shows, it led to her hosting three (well deserved) variety shows, endorsing brands, appearing in commercials, guesting on popular variety shows solo even way before the other 4 members. After Yuna's viral (and absolutely iconic) U-go-girl stage, she got special stages almost every year. Eventually she got her own youtube channel, endorsments and FINALLY an acting role!!! (Miss Undercover Boss, i'm so excited ššš) Lia got her OSTs and Yeji (finally) got her solo debut with Air (which would have blown up massively if she released it in 2021/2022, especially after her River performance). But Ryujin had her studio choom performance and Mix and Max before disappearing individually behind other popular 4th gen idols, who are more talked about these days. You can't tell me she was never sought after. She has many directors (Jeon Tae-ho and the director of Tylenol) and Acting managers (Varo Entertainment staff, also currently Lee Yoomi's manager) and a staff member from Management MMM (which manages Kim Taeri and Esom) following her on instagram. She also has expressed wanting to act for 4/5 years now as well. Especially after the fighting scene that literally MADE MAMA 2021, how she used to become the most talked about guest in any fashion show she went to, it's weird how the company did nothing to expand or utilise the popularity after those events. Maybe Ryujin herself turns down these things now, but it's undeniable that if she was hypothetically given more opportunities around their biggest eras, she (and probably the rest of the girls if THEY were given more opportunities earlier to make them more recognised to the gp) would have been more popular today. JYPE just started promoting the girls individually too late :( Also, what's with the girls having no ot5 variety schedule this comeback? Anyway, I just wanted to put my thoughts out there because I was just thinking about this yesterday while looking through instagram lol submitted by /u/Gold_Meaning3688 [link] [comments]
