K-Pop Label Discrimination Against Older Idols Sparks Controversy

Recently, an online community post garnered almost 50,000 views for its stark comparison of old and new generation idols.

Netizens felt that agencies were investing more in their rookie groups and not caring much for the older idols.

스타쉽 중소주제에 되도않는 본부제하더니 ㄹㅇ 각 본부마다 미감차이.돈쓴차이.신경쓴차이 나는게 개웃임ㅋㅋ;;
1본부 몬엑 아이브 > 한복 안입음
2본부 우소 크래비티 > 한복 입히긴함
3본부 키키 아이딧 > 존나이쁘게입힘 https://t.co/H9tvSstd0P

— aoo..! (@comebaxkagain) February 17, 2026

“For a mid-size company, Starship’s headquarters for each group have such clear differences in taste, the way they spend money, the effort they put in… it’s hilarious.

1st HQ: MONSTA X and IVE-> didn’t wear hanbok

2nd HQ: WJSN and CRAVITY-> did put them in a hanbok

3rd HQ: KiiiKiii and IDID-> gave them beautiful outfits to wear”

MONSTA X fans in particular, were disappointed that they only made a Lunar New Year video in Chinese.

차라리 암것도 하지말지
새해복많이받으세요를 중국어로 들어야될줄은
몰랐네 아 설 인사한거 아니고 춘절 인사지?
네네 그러시겠죠
이 짧은 영상으로 이렇게 빡치게 될줄이야 https://t.co/qVMmqBRnpy pic.twitter.com/BEesrXbCzD

— 잇티 (@SUBJUNB) February 18, 2026

Might as well have given us nothing. Didn’t think we’d receive a New Year’s video in Chinese. Honestly, this isn’t even a Seollnal video, but a Chinese New Year video. Didn’t think such a short video would make me this mad.

HYBE and BigHit fans also felt that they were catering more towards the new groups.

쌰갈…
하이브 빅히트
방탄팀 > 아무것도 안 줌
투바투팀 > 자컨 올라오긴 했는데 명절 관련 아님
코르티스팀 > 한복 입혀서 43분짜리 설날 특집 자컨 줌 https://t.co/Zj0IohZ4u1 pic.twitter.com/BArkngJXKz

— 김ㅅFㅂ ㅔ트 °. *。☆🕯Suga wife (@suga_sorbet) February 17, 2026

“HYBE BigHit

BTS-> nothing

TXT-> they did give content, but it wasn’t for the Lunar New Year

CORTIS-> gave a 43 minute long Lunar New Year content wearing hanbok”

The OP stated that in the case of TXT, a group that consistently uploaded videos of themselves in hanbok for the New Year, was receiving more criticism.

Although they understood that, from a company’s perspective, it’s natural to invest more in the new groups, they felt it was still natural for older-generation fans to be upset if they suddenly stopped posting things they’ve always done.

With this, netizens expressed a divided response to the matter.

| theqoo

| theqoo

• “The company needs to take care of its artists. Why are they suddenly taking away content from the fans?”
• “It’s funny how they are dividing the groups this way.”
• “Even if the fans don’t like it, the company has to take care of the rookies if they want to make money. It’s just natural.”
• “What can you do…this is just how it works.”