BTS literally "Paved the way" for other K-pop acts! On June 28, Knetz opened a discussion on an online Korean community site, agreeing to ARMYs and other K-pop enthusiasts that BTS indeed paved the way for K-pop.
According to the post, "BTS paved the way. However, rather than saying that they are the first K-pop acts to paved the way for K-pop, they are the idol group who had the most impact and opened the doors for the international market, opening it for the future generation."
In addition to this, the writer of the post compared BTS's impact to other iconic K-pop groups such as BoA and TVXQ who opened the door for K-pop in Japan, wherein BTS holds power and influence in the Western market as well.
Along with the post, the author also attached edited photos of BTS members, literally paving the way, while the title of the post says, "a thing that part of the international K-pop fans can't acknowledge."
Meanwhile, some of the facts and proofs that were laid down by the netizens to justify why they agree of BTS paving the way are:
1. Opening the door for the international market
After BTS won the Social Artist Award on Billboard, K-pop fans make use of social media for marketing purposes as well or increasing the rank of an artist by using hashtags and tagging the artist's name.
Also, BTS is the proprietor for albums to be legally distributed in the western market, leading the way for K-pop to be massively accepted in other countries (world rather) and give K-pop more exposure in the music industry.
2. Appearances in US broadcast and awarding ceremony
According to a netizen, "To be honest, they really have to acknowledge this. Just by making an American advancement, they are already considered "world star." Even I was surprised to see them appearing on US TV shows."
Other netizens in social media are also justifying that BTS did pave the way, as they were not only claiming this but other K-pop artists as well, and the Korean government already acknowledge this as a fact.
According to the South Korean President Moon Jae in, BTS serves as the "Leader of Korean culture." Also, Korea's Culture Ministry said that BTS is providing a way forward to K-pop", following the success of their recent online concert.
In conclusion, BTS, despite debuting in 2013, and being a third-generation of K-pop had delivered a massive force within a short period of time for K-pop to be accepted widely by Western market, not to mention their popularity in other countries as well, form children to elders, may it be rural areas or from urban areas.
