As K-pop enters its golden era, an outpouring of idol groups has hit the scene. Over the past decade, over 500 idol groups have made their debut, but the top-tier spots have always been held by just one or two teams per generation.

There's a reason for being at the top. Large companies with solid planning and capital may seem to have an edge, but ultimately, it all boils down to talent. It's hard to reach the pinnacle if you can't deliver a live performance, no matter how stunning the visuals or commercial the song and performance are.

The idol industry puts a premium on performance and commercial appeal. A tiny fraction of idols bank on their singing prowess. As visuals take priority, the importance of live performances in idol evaluation has waned.

While live performances aren't a prerequisite, they serve as a crucial point that separates the first from the second. Like the bonus number in a lottery draw, live performance abilities define a group's rank. When expectations and admiration from the public are met, the potential for long-term popularity increases.

When a group ranks first on a music show, they perform an encore. This is when the group's real abilities shine. If they lack confidence in their song or can't perform live, they spend time making pointless gestures, joking around, or singing nervously with no room to breathe.

As this situation repeated, expectations for idols' live performances fell, leading to a natural downward equalization of skills. As a result, those who genuinely excel began to stand out.

On Mnet's 'M Countdown' aired on the 18th, aespa took first place. The group successfully performed 'Spicy' live. Karina confidently took the lead, Winter sang just like the original track, and Giselle and Ningning also showcased their skills.

aespa's 'Spicy' encore stage garnered significant attention online, and their past live performances also rose in popularity. Among competing girl groups, aespa's standout skills earned high praise.

SM Entertainment, aespa's agency, is famously known for its 'visuals.' It's the company that comes to mind when considering looks, and its line-up of handsome and beautiful groups have fueled stereotypes of prioritizing appearance.

However, SM is known for its strong live performances. From BoA, TVXQ, Girls' Generation, EXO, SHINee, to Red Velvet, there hasn't been a scandal about any of SM's idols being unable to perform live. Their live performance skills were just obscured by their visuals.

aespa proved their live performance skills, which were previously overshadowed by their metaverse girl group concept. They've pulled out the most potent weapon among girl groups vying for the 'Top 4th-Gen' spot. aespa has added auditory appeal to their visual allure, securing a strong foothold in the 'Top 4th-Gen' race.

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