What Starship Needs to Fix for IVE’s Long-Term Success: 11 Key Points from Fans
IVE took the K-pop world by storm with smash hits like “LOVE DIVE” and “I AM.” But as the group enters its fifth year, loyal fans are growing concerned. Many believe Starship Entertainment is falling short in maintaining the group’s momentum. If things don’t change, IVE risks losing its hard-earned top-tier status.
Here are the 11 most urgent improvements fans say Starship must act on immediately:
1. Maintain High-Quality Title Tracks
IVE’s success was built on powerful, well-crafted tracks. With every comeback, expectations grow. Anything less than the quality of “LOVE DIVE” or “I AM” could lead to fan burnout and stagnation.
2. Pursue Bold, Unique Concepts
AdvertisementFans are craving distinctiveness. Experimental and emotionally resonant songs help IVE stand out from the saturated girl group scene and attract serious music fans—not just casual listeners.
3. Revamp Comeback Promotions
Effective promotions are key. Pre-release content like “After LIKE” teasers created massive buzz. Lackluster marketing, on the other hand, leads to underwhelming digital performance and reach.
Advertisement4. Reinvest in Global Marketing
After “I AM,” IVE’s overseas visibility dropped. International fans want consistent engagement, not budget-friendly shortcuts. A strong global push is essential for long-term relevance.
5. Enhance Visual Concepts and Storytelling
IVE’s “Either Way” hinted at strong artistic direction, but the execution lacked polish. Fans are calling for cohesive themes, cinematic visuals, and a return to the ethereal charm of IVE’s debut era.
6. Stop Targeting Children with Low-Quality Music
Fans argue that recent songs feel overly juvenile. Even young listeners appreciate artistry—IVE must not compromise musical integrity for easy virality or younger demographics.
7. Use Rap Only When Musically Appropriate
Forced rap breaks have been criticized for lowering song quality. If rap is necessary, it should be well-integrated—possibly as melodic sing-rap or within a genre that fits.
8. Choreography Should Match Members’ Strength
IVE’s choreography has been called too basic. Instead of complicated routines, fans suggest emphasizing memorable “point dances” tailored for TikTok, aligning with the members’ actual capabilities.
9. Invest in IVE Proportionally to Their Revenue
Despite being one of Starship’s most profitable groups, IVE’s recent comebacks feel low-effort. Fans demand proper reinvestment to prevent burnout and declining quality.
10. Develop Each Member’s Vocal Style
As the members grow vocally, it’s time to spotlight their individuality. Unique tones and thoughtful part distribution boost both song richness and member branding.
11. Strengthen Member Character and Identity
Fans want iconic roles for each member—whether through voice, visuals, or performance. Memorable character traits build stronger emotional connections and fan loyalty.
In online forums and comment sections, fans are voicing deep concerns over IVE’s current trajectory:
- As for the choreography, it’s not just the company’s fault — the members can’t keep up, so the dances are made overly simple, almost like children’s moves. And now that they’re in their 5th year, no matter how good the song is, it’s natural for an idol group’s popularity to decline. That happens to every group.
- Starship is at a critical turning point right now. If the next comeback flops, IVE’s fandom could collapse, and they might lose their first-tier group status. If they’re obsessed with money and want to make more off IVE, they need to get serious and invest properly.
- Even if it’s not on the level of “LOVE DIVE” or “I AM,” I hope the next release has better quality in both the song and the choreography. It doesn’t need to be extremely difficult, but at least show sharp synchronization.
- Maybe the reason they stick to basic moves is because of the members’ skills. So instead of just blaming the company, they need to practice more… Honestly, among the top groups, they have the weakest skills.
- The choreography situation is a vicious cycle. Since the members can’t pull off harder moves, the company only approves basic, repetitive choreography. Choreographers submitting drafts probably already know this, so they naturally create arm-waving routines just to get picked. But even then, the simplest options still get chosen. At this point, even DIVE (the fandom) should stop getting mad at choreographers and accept that this might be the limit. Either stop expecting so much from the choreo, or hope the members wake up and step up their game. What the company and members really need to understand is: If fans stop posting feedback altogether, that’s even more hopeless—because it means they’ve given up on the group entirely and lost all hope or expectations.
With the departure of key producers like Ryan Jhun and an increasing sense of creative stagnation, IVE stands at a crossroads. Fans have spoken—better music, stronger visuals, and meaningful investment are non-negotiable. Whether Starship chooses to act may decide if IVE remains a 4th-gen leader or fades into K-pop history.
