The question of which K-pop group truly started the 5th generation has resurfaced, this time during a lively discussion on MBC’s Where Is My Home. On the September 6 episode, host Kim Sook asked, “What generation of idols are we in now?” to which Red Velvet’s Wendy replied, “It’s the 5th generation now. IVE and RIIZE might be like… 4.7th generation?” Her playful answer quickly sparked laughter and debate.

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Comedian Joo Woo-jae added, “It’s when, out of nowhere, a team completely shifts the entire industry,” suggesting that the start of each generation comes with a clear game-changing moment.

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Then Park Na-rae declared: “If we’re in the 5th generation now, it means ALLDAY PROJECT are the ones who opened it.”

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This echoed recent headlines praising the group: “ADP Craze Declares a New Era… The Beginning of 5th-Gen Idols”, “ADP Rapidly Rising as a Trend Leader… The Starting Point of 5th-Gen K-pop” and “ADP, a Sensation in Itself… Shifting the Landscape of K-pop.”

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As one of the few co-ed idol groups in recent years, ALLDAY PROJECT has been noted for reviving a genre not seen in mainstream K-pop for a while. The debate quickly spilled online, with divided opinions:

  • I feel like every 5 years, people say a new generation has started.
  • From a novelty + recognition perspective, ALLDAY PROJECT does fit the criteria.
  • They really changed the atmosphere, and their buzz factor is high.
  • I thought ZEROBASEONE was considered the start of 5th gen?
  • Are ALLDAY PROJECT really that huge? I didn’t know they were such a sensation.
  • Honestly, I don’t think the 5th generation has even begun yet.
  • ALLDAY PROJECT? I can’t even name one of their songs.
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For now, opinions remain split. Some see ALLDAY PROJECT’s co-ed concept and sudden popularity as groundbreaking enough to mark a generational shift, while others argue the title of “5th generation starter” is still up for grabs. Whether it’s ALLDAY PROJECT, ZEROBASEONE, or a yet-to-debut group, the debate shows just how much the idea of K-pop “generations” still fascinates fans.

Sources: Instiz