Think IVE Deserves Better Than Starship? Here Are 5 Reasons You're Wrong

The Korean entertainment industry is riddled with problems and controversies, ranging from mismanagement to aggressive practices that jeopardize the health of K-pop band members. While working conditions have significantly improved over the years compared to the first and second generations of K-pop stars, many issues sadly persist.

Starship Entertainment frequently faces its fair share of criticism, and in most instances, it's warranted. Consider how the company overlooked Sistar members by focusing on Hyolyn or how they pushed WJSN members to overwork. However, amid other scandals involving the Big 4 entertainment agencies, Starship may not be the worst offender. Just look at how they treat IVE. Here are five reasons fans believe Starship is a much better option for IVE than other agencies.

5. The Smaller the Company, the Bigger the Talent

The big four agencies have larger budgets and are more famous, so they primarily recruit up-and-coming talent who've already achieved some popularity. Their rising stars are often already skilled artists. Starship, however, concentrates on scouting, recruiting unknown individuals with raw talent, diamonds in the rough, as it were.

4. Great Business Decisions

Let's take an example of how good the agency is at identifying someone's potential and ultimately making some of the best business decisions. Wonyoung and Yujin were young, aspiring trainees representing Starship. In the end, though, the girls, backed by a relatively small agency, managed to win Produce 48. After IZ*ONE, Starship trained them for a re-debut that's still making waves in Korea and around the world.

3. IVE's Concepts And Song Choices Always Hit The Mark

Starship has outstanding business intuition. Their concepts have made IVE one of the best-selling bands alongside Big4's Blackpink, NewJeans, and Aespa. Every release from their debut, Eleven, to Love Dive to I've Ive, has been a commercial success, reaching the top of the charts.

2. IVE Have Enough Free Time

Unlike larger agencies, Starship Entertainment gives IVE members plenty of free time outside of the band, allowing them to pursue other activities or solo careers. For instance, Wonyoung and Yujin have had enough time to become fashion and brand icons domestically and internationally. Additionally, the latter often participates in reality shows.

1. Unfounded Criticism: Lots of IVE Ads in Seoul

Some people believe that IVE is mismanaged in the same way that Sistar was. For example, some fans note that their latest MV, Either Way, seemed to appear out of nowhere and wasn't promoted enough. However, IVE is incredibly popular domestically, even if Starship isn't targeting as much of its advertising to Western audiences.