IVE Leads Starship's New Wave of Success, but CRAVITY Struggles to Keep Up

Starship Entertainment is enjoying a resurgence in success, largely thanks to their girl group IVE, who has become a favorite among young fans, earning the nickname "president of the elementary schoolers." With former IZ*ONE members Wonyoung and Ahn Yujin at the forefront, IVE’s catchy songs and relatable themes of self-confidence have struck a chord with children and their parents. Their simple, repetitive lyrics make the music easy to sing along to, proving Starship’s strategic planning effective in solidifying IVE as a core artist for the label.

In contrast, CRAVITY has faced challenges since their debut, failing to reach the same heights as MONSTA X, Starship’s previous boy group success. Despite members gaining popularity from Produce X 101, the group's debut with the intense track "Break All the Rules" didn’t align with their youthful image, making it difficult to build a strong group fanbase. However, their upcoming participation in Road to Kingdom: ACE OF ACE offers a chance for CRAVITY to redefine their image and gain wider recognition, as seen with Stray Kids and ATEEZ after Kingdom: Legendary War.

While IVE continues to shine, Starship's veteran groups like WJSN and MONSTA X have shifted focus toward individual activities. WJSN’s group promotions have slowed significantly, especially after several members chose not to renew their contracts despite the group’s win on Queendom 2. MONSTA X, currently on hiatus due to military enlistments, sees its members focusing on solo projects, with Shownu already returning to variety shows. Fans await a full group comeback, but the future remains uncertain.

For now, IVE is Starship's primary source of success, but the company needs CRAVITY or other groups to step up and secure their place in the spotlight. If CRAVITY performs well in Kingdom, Starship could establish a dual-pillar system with IVE and CRAVITY at the helm, while MONSTA X’s eventual return could further strengthen the company’s future lineup.