K-pop is a brutal battlefield. A group can dominate globally yet remain overlooked in their own country—and that’s exactly the case with EVERGLOW.
Despite racking up international hits, the group has never won a single music show trophy in South Korea. While other 4th-gen girl groups like IVE, LE SSERAFIM, and NewJeans (NJZ) consistently dominate Korean charts and public attention, EVERGLOW has struggled to land a major domestic hit.
📉 A few stats in Korea:
- Their biggest Korean chart success, Adios, only peaked at #86 on MelOn—and that was back in 2019.
- The last time they made it into Genie’s top 100 was in 2020, with DUN DUN.
- K-netizens often label them as a “group that’s only popular overseas.”
Yet, despite this, EVERGLOW is still selling out European tours in minutes, topping iTunes charts worldwide, and getting invited to major Western music festivals.
How? Let’s break it down.
The Comeback That Shocked The Industry – “ZOMBIE” Devoured the Charts
If K-pop is a battlefield, then ZOMBIE is EVERGLOW’s weapon of mass destruction.
✔ #1 on iTunes K-pop charts in over 15 countries, from the U.S. to Brazil and the U.K.
✔ 10 million YouTube views in 24 hours—breaking the group’s personal record.
✔ Sold out their entire 2024 European tour in just minutes.
🔥 MAMA 2024: When Netizens Thought They Were “Guests” But They Turned Out to Be the “Owners”
- Some audiences initially underestimated EVERGLOW, but when they hit the stage, the atmosphere shifted.
- On TikTok (@everglowofficial), Mia & Yiren’s fancams went viral, with comments like: “This is what it means to own the stage.”
💡 What sets them apart?
EVERGLOW doesn’t chase trends. Instead, they embody power, boldness, and a futuristic edge—a lane that not many girl groups dare to take.
Why Is EVERGLOW Huge Internationally but Struggling in Korea?
📊 Spotify Monthly Listeners: ~5 million—on par with many top 4th-gen groups.
📊 One of the few K-pop girl groups featured by Rolling Stone & Billboard.
📊 Explosive international fandom: From Europe to North and South America, their fanbase is massive.
🚨 But why haven’t they taken off in Korea?
❌ K-netizens tend to favor groups from the “Big 4” (HYBE, SM, YG, JYP).
❌ Brutal competition: Groups like IVE, aespa, and LE SSERAFIM dominate Korean trends.
❌ Lack of strong domestic promotions: Yuehua Entertainment prioritizes overseas markets, making them less visible on Korean TV.
💬 A K-netizen once commented:
“EVERGLOW feels like a Western group cosplaying as K-pop.”
But does that even matter? Because when you have an empire of international fans, you don’t need to rely on a single market.
2025: The Year EVERGLOW Won’t Just Rise—They’ll Break Every Limit
No need for baseless rumors—let’s just look at the facts. EVERGLOW is on track for a massive 2025:
✅ Increasing recognition from Western media: Billboard, Rolling Stone, and other major outlets are paying close attention.
✅ Growing potential in the U.S.: BLACKPINK paved the way for K-pop at Coachella—EVERGLOW could easily land a spot at Lollapalooza or similar festivals.
✅ Expanding fandom: Their recent meet & greet in the U.S. sold out in mere hours.
🔥 Bottom line:
2025 isn’t just another year of growth for EVERGLOW—it might be the year K-pop is forced to admit they underestimated them.
EVERGLOW Doesn’t Wait for Recognition—They Build Their Own Empire
You can love them. You can hate them. But one thing is certain: You can’t ignore EVERGLOW.
What do you think? Will 2025 be the year EVERGLOW dominates K-pop? Drop your bias in the comments below!
