ENHYPEN Knife Billboard Strategy: 25 Versions Spark Industry Debate

A staggering 25 versions for a single track. HYBE's latest marketing tactic for ENHYPEN's comeback is under heavy fire. Critics argue that the sheer volume of releases is a desperate attempt to manipulate global music charts.

The ENHYPEN Knife Billboard Strategy Under Scrutiny

Following the release of their seventh mini-album, THE SIN: VANISH, ENHYPEN found themselves at the center of a heated online debate. While the album features 18 physical versions, it's the digital release of the title track Knife that has raised eyebrows. According to reports from the community site Instiz, the track is available in 25 different digital variations across streaming platforms.

The strategy is clearly aimed at climbing the Billboard charts, where multiple versions of a song can contribute to a single chart entry. Some netizens slammed the move as "pathetic," suggesting that the group is relying on loopholes rather than organic growth. However, others pointed out that Western pop giants like Taylor Swift frequently use similar "versioning" tactics to maintain chart dominance.

Marketing Genius or Chart Manipulation?

The debate highlights a growing rift in the K-pop industry. On one side, fans defend the practice as a necessary tool in the hyper-competitive global market. On the other, purists argue that the essence of a "comeback" is being lost to data-driven corporate strategies. "If the fans are okay with it, then it's fine," one netizen commented, while others counter that it "messes with the integrity of the charts."