popular doesn't signify good, nor does unpopular signify bad. it is indubitably better to be loved than feared, to be loved than popular, better to be unpopular than feared, better humble than righteous, better shy than arrogant, better inspiring than cruel, better supple than hard. 
but some are popular and good. people tell me how glad they are that mister is ok, they were worried for him. he's a dear warm familiar light of the neighborhood.