The limited prevalence of mixed-gender ensembles within South Korean popular music distinguishes it from many Western pop markets. While group formations featuring both male and female members exist, they are demonstrably less common and typically experience different trajectories compared to single-gender groups.
Several factors contribute to this disparity, including marketing strategies favoring defined gender appeal, potential challenges in managing romantic relationships within the group dynamic, and differing expectations regarding fan interactions and perceptions of “chemistry” between members. Historically, K-pop’s infrastructure has been built around targeted fanbases largely segregated by gender preference.
