Fans noted that many of NU'EST's former albums including 'Canvas', 'Q is', 'Action', 'Sleep Talk', and more have been ranking high in the weekly and daily album sales charts on online shopping sites. 

Currently 4 of 5 NU'EST members - JR, Minhyun, Baekho, and Ren - are competing as trainees on 'Produce 101' season 2, soaring in popularity among the nation's producers in Korea. 

Meanwhile, netizens seem to be in the middle of an argument as to whether or not it's "fair" for NU'EST to continue to compete on 'Produce 101' season 2, especially after noting their rising popularity with their currently inactive group. Some, who opposed the 4 members' participation, commented that "If they have a conscience they should drop out", "This is honestly cheating... the other trainees are just as desperate!", "This is why they should just promote by themselves, why are a bunch of used idols trying to get in with the rookies", etc. 

Others, who argue in NU'EST's favor, stated, "Those of you who think all 4 of them should be eliminated and just promote as NU'EST... they still have their contract with their label left so if they get out on the show, they'll be forced to just promote in Japan and become Japan-promoting dungeon idols", "So glad they're seeing light after all these years, my heart goes out to the boys who must have suffered a lot, and even I'm just thankful", "It's not that they were already popular, it's that people who saw them on 'Produce 101' got into their songs and decided to buy their albums, like me", and such.