YOUNG POSSE, a five-member girl group under DSP Media and Beats Entertainment, officially debuted in October 2023 with members Sunhye, Yeonjung, Jiana, Doeun, and Jieun.
On August 14, the group dropped the music video for their latest track “FREESTYLE.” Within just a few days, it skyrocketed to more than 10 million views on YouTube. As of now, the video has around 10.7 million views, 66,000 likes, and just over 4,000 comments.
The sudden surge has stirred skepticism. In a popular Reddit post titled “Are YOUNG POSSE’s music video views rigged?”, one user questioned whether the numbers reflect genuine fan interest.
“They’re still rookies and not widely known, but their MV shot up in views really fast. After hitting 10M, the counter basically froze. The engagement looks off — barely 4,000 comments and not that many likes compared to views,” the user wrote.
Some netizens speculate that YOUNG POSSE’s agency may have boosted the video through paid ads, a common strategy on YouTube to push content into trending sections. YouTube, like TikTok, allows agencies to pay for campaigns that increase views and exposure, which can explain sudden spikes in numbers.
Other K-pop groups have also faced similar accusations, with fans pointing out that BABYMONSTER and izna’s view counts sometimes don’t align with engagement levels.
Still, others defend the group, arguing that rookie idols often benefit from agency-driven promotions in their early days and that rapid numbers don’t always equal manipulation.
The debate highlights a larger issue in K-pop: should YouTube views be considered a reliable measure of success, or are they simply another marketing tool in an increasingly competitive industry?
For now, YOUNG POSSE’s viral rise continues to attract attention — both admiration and suspicion — as the group builds its name in the crowded 5th generation of K-pop.
Sources: Koreaboo
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