Yep, unless they start actively marketing BT5 as capable of going solo in addition to working together as a group, maknae line are never going to be breakout stars. But honestly, the maknae line don't really have enough talent and stage presence to be breakout stars anyway. JM definitely captures the stage as a dancer, but not as a singer. JK makes so many mistakes on stage too, he's notorious for it, and in my opinion is a sloppy performer. Tae kinda is interesting on stage but he can be all over the place too and difficult to follow along with. And regarding the other members, NJ falls into the background when he's next to JH and YG cause those two will always own the stage. J!n is just sorta there most of the time.
It all boils down to finance...
1. For Bang/Hybe, it's all about revenue...so far, Betees is still the "money-maker" despite everything... All their other artists are "cost-centers" but not really bringing in much profit for the company so far... They have barely reached their ROI (Return on Investment) for these other artists..
2. Bang has been trying to "heavily invest in/market for Jm and Jk...but so far, there hasn't been much...Net income in the 3rd Qtr, covering solo activities...only at 14.64%. Currently stock price is down by 71% following announcement of the military enlistment of the remaining four...
3. For Betees...they are still "too scared/reluctant" to "venture" on their own (read:disband)...because of financial uncertainty in the future... At least as shareholders of the company, each is worth US $10-12M...It's more practical to continually "stay with Bang" ...especially now that they've been clearly given voting rights...
4. Though "not as strongly supported" by Bang/Hybe through the years...often getting the "least support" among the members...JIN is actually the one who has the "financial skills/savvy" and commercial talents to make himself more successful...as Forbes has declared him to be...Should he decide to get out of Hybe/BigHit, he has a wide range of big opportunities to make it bigger even in other arenas such as the computer gaming industry...Nexon could be flexing its muscles to "attract" Jin to join its corporate power...with a potential CEO position...It's also fascinating how Jin openly "challenged" Netmarble (a Hybe subsidiary) when he had a stint in Nexon's Maple Story game development...
5. Finance and financial security...has always been the common motivation...for both Hybe and Betees...everything else is "cheesy nostalgia..." including the so-called "band/bond of brothers..."