NJ <-/ /-> Kpopper

[At last, a post about K-pop]
So SISTAR is the latest Kpop group to break up.  Unlike others, they have been given a dignified and honorable exit with a farewell promotion.

SISTAR

Still it is a sad moment, and it feels like Kpop has lost its way, or at least its connection to this self-styled Kpopper.  As for many in the West, Kpop itself only rose to my awareness after the Gangnam Style phenomenon, but the YouTube linkages to Hyuna and 4minute led me rapidly down the rabbit hole of mesmerizing girl group videos.  Yes I will admit that it is only the girl groups that interest me, since Kpop functions for me as a hypnotic energizer and stressbuster, not as a deeper conduit of dark emotion (with one exception to be mentioned in a moment). Those girl groups should have at least some individuality, talent, maturity, and creativity, however. SISTAR had all of that, along with a high mesmerization factor (search YouTube for "SISTAR Dance Practice" if you need evidence).
The roster of worthwhile groups still in operation is shrinking.  I am not a fan of the "crowd of cutesy schoolgirls" approach that seems to dominate now.  Twice could pull it off, but even they appear to be regressing rather than maturing into a more adult style.  The once ultradynamic EXID is not the same in its Solji-less incarnation, although hopefully she will rejoin soon.  Solji is the one really stirring voice I have found in Kpop who can touch other emotional levels. She really needs a comeback. AOA has suffered controversy and lackluster releases since "Heart Attack", and now its greatest talent, Choa, is breaking away.  Girls Day continues to be solid, but feels overproduced these days. Red Velvet has so much potential, but also seems to be under pressure and sometimes misfires ("Rookie" was just annoying - like Twice's "Signal" is).  DalShabet at least is still plugging away and improving along with Subin's songwriting.

And what has been lost?
The big breakups like 4minute are quite heavy blows, especially since their very last songs were more innovative, risk-taking, and mature.  Hyuna will "roll deep" for a little while longer, but that is just partial consolation. The Wonder Girls will be missed.  And the quirky surprises and fun of Crayon Pop and the delightful Orange Caramel are gone.
Obviously time passes and people mature and move to other projects and stages.  I wish them all the success with that.  But I think I will be consoling myself with 2013-2016 videos, looking back at that as a golden age of Kpop.  The live connection has been broken, and the thrill is gone.
[For any crazed stans out there, please, this is just my opinion...]