Looking at Wonhee, it feels like HYBE lacks intuition

First, there is a premise that needs to be established.
Wonhee is still a popular member.
She has a relatively high level of recognition within ILLIT and I believe she still possesses the star power to attract people's attention.
What I want to say is not that "Wonhee has lost her popularity."
To be precise, it is about
"Why has her power become a bit weaker compared to the explosive star power she showed during her debut?"
I believe one of the reasons is that HYBE failed to properly understand the uniqueness of Wonhee's character.
The reason Wonhee caught our eyes during her debut wasn't simply because she was pretty.
She had a round face and chubby cheeks, a vibe that didn't feel "celebrity-fied" yet, somewhat clumsy expressions and actions, and a naturalness similar to an ordinary person that is hard to see in other idols.
I even think that her unpolished dancing and singing at the time were part of her character.
While other members looked like finished idols, Wonhee alone had a feeling of being
"an ordinary girl who suddenly became an idol."
That was an immense level of uniqueness.
However, as time passed, she lost weight, her styling moved closer to the standard grammar of typical female idols, and as she became more accustomed to idol life, I think this unique vibe gradually weakened.
Of course, many people probably think she is prettier now.
But the important thing here isn't whether she became prettier or not.
There are already dozens of pretty female idols in the idol market.
During her debut, Wonhee was the only female idol like her.
I believe this difference is huge.
Ultimately, it's not that Wonhee has become a less attractive person, but rather that her irreplaceability has weakened slightly.
And I find this part disappointing regarding HYBE.
Of course, we don't know if Wonhee's weight loss was her own choice or the company's direction.
And naturally, the final choice should be hers.
However, large agencies have managers, stylists, and people in charge of concept and visuals.
I believe one of the jobs those people must do is to find out
"Why are people reacting to this specific member?"
If the company had accurately identified that Wonhee's round face, freshness, and slightly clumsy appearance were working with the public, they should have at least
offered advice in the direction of, "This image is a huge competitive advantage for Wonhee."
In the idol market, eliminating all flaws to raise the average score is a completely different matter from creating a star.
Jang Wonyoung must be like Jang Wonyoung,
Karina must be like Karina,
and Jennie must be like Jennie.
Wonhee should have been like Wonhee.
I think what HYBE should have done was not making Wonhee closer to the standard of other pretty female idols, but finding why people remembered Wonhee among countless trainees and amplifying that part.
But now,
it feels like she has gradually shifted from "Wonhee, who catches the eye because she is unique" to
"Wonhee, just another pretty female idol."
So, it's not that she lost her popularity.
I believe she is still popular and still has star power.
However, while she was a member we were curious to see how far she would go during her debut, that expectation has lowered a bit.
And I don't think trying to restore the debut-era Wonhee now is the answer either.
People change.
Wonhee is no longer a rookie as she was at debut, and she is now accustomed to idol life.
Even if she regains her chubby cheeks, wears her old hairstyles, or acts clumsy on purpose, that freshness from back then won't return.
In fact, trying to force a recreation of the past might feel even more unnatural.
Therefore, I think what HYBE should do now is not
"recovering the old Wonhee," but
"creating the second Wonhee."
They need to quickly find a new character that fits her current appearance, age, and experience, yet clearly distinguishes her from other female idols.
It could be styling, a character in variety shows, or the personality she shows in self-produced content.
The important thing is that they must create something again that makes people say,
"Only Wonhee can do this."
And I believe there isn't as much time as one might think.
The idol market does not wait.
If she starts being consumed merely as one of many pretty female idols for 1 or 2 years, the uniqueness of Wonhee that the public remembered may gradually fade.
Conversely, Wonhee is a member who has already proven once that people react strongly to her.
So, it's not that she lacks the raw materials.
Since she is someone who has shown star power once, I believe there is plenty of potential for her to rise strongly again if her second character is properly established.
That is why I feel more disappointed in HYBE than in Wonhee herself.
It may be true that HYBE is a company that makes idols well.
But
is it a company that understands why certain idols become stars, and can create the next wave of star power when that star's image changes?
Looking at Wonhee, I still have doubts about that part.