Analysis on failure of AK98
There are many successful bands in Japan and Korean. But It is petty hard for a band to be successful in China, while it maybe much easier for an individual idol. There used to be a band in Taiwan named INSPIRE, consisted of 3 boys and a girl. Although their songs are attactive but they didn't make it very far.
I think, for AK98, the only way to make big money is to go abroad, just like Morning and Alan did.