Since 4Minute's foray into the Japanese market,there has been lots of debate as to whether their debuts have been successful. Although fans and critics have their own respective views,it is fair to say that they haven't been causing as much hype as expected and thus one can conclude to an extent that their entry was premature and slightly too hasty. To further help fans understand,let's look at some happenings and facts:
1.) 4Minute lacks the repertoire
This year,we have seen three of the hottest girl groups of today enter the Japanese market. Out of the three,which are SNSD,KARA and 4Minute,4Minute has the least amount of songs. 4Minute currently has 2 mini-albums in Korean,with the third in the works,and a few singles and remakes of their hit songs in Japanese. While SNSD and KARA are considered veterans in the scene (they have 2 full-length albums each) and have nation-wide hit songs (SNSD's GEE was ranked 1st for a record 9 weeks and KARA's Lupin ranking first consecutively for 2 weeks),4Minute has yet to reach those heights and still finding their feet in the industry.
2.) Lack Of Publicity
With recent uproar over the treatment of 4Minute on a TV programme,one can easily tell that 4Minute isn't really seen in high regard over there. Though it breaks our hearts to see how they are treated as rookies and completely inexpereienced,the harsh reality is that not that many people have heard of 4Minute. A similar incident would be how a street survey ended with 4Minute in 9th place as the favourtite Korean band in Japan. Unlike their peers,4Minute also don't have the same exposure as they do with,for example,Kara,who are currently hosting a show.
3.) Too ambitious
As the popular saying goes: 'More haste,less speed'.
If similarly applied in 4Minute's current situation,their jumping between Japanese and Korean promotions may slow down their establishment in either/both markets. True,KARA is doing it now and it seems successful and workable,but KARA has already established themselves in Korea and are competing well against current no.1,SNSD. 4Minute,however,are aiming to release their Korean and Japanese albums within a month. I mean thats possible but any slip-up in either market could cripple progress in the other and it could further destroy their budding reputations instead of building upon it. Plus isn't it better to see how FIRST/DREAMS COME TRUE appeals to the market first instead of rushing a full-length Japanese album straight after?
Although these signs/opinions may appear very much that I'm an anti-fan,which I'm not,I feel that its better for fans to see the whole picture clearly and of course maybe (and you should) show them more love.
