“Did nothing other than bringing the mess to BTS legacy”— Fans slam Bang Si-hyuk for taking credit with the boy band for shaping Asian culture perceptions

On December 23, 2024, Asia Society published a brief interview on their official YouTube channel featuring BTS's label HYBE's CEO, Bang Si-hyuk. The video titled "Bang Si-Hyuk of HYBE Discusses BTS, Rise of K-pop and Korean Culture, and His Creative Process" lasted under five minutes.

The CEO shared his reflections on BTS’s journey and admitted that he never anticipated the monumental success they achieved. He further expressed his belief that both his and BTS’s efforts were instrumental in reshaping global perceptions of Asian culture. He explained that during his early years, the American music market seemed distant and unattainable.

However, about two years after BTS’s debut, he began to believe they could achieve something unprecedented for Asia. He stated,

"About two and a half years after BTS debuted, I felt like I could actually achieve things that had never been done before in Asia. I really encouraged members of BTS and myself to try our best to realize our dreams."

Bang Si-hyuk shared that step by step, he and BTS worked together to turn their dreams into reality, eventually gaining worldwide recognition. Bang further stated that before BTS's global success, understanding of Asian culture was limited, and he believed their efforts helped broaden its acceptance.

While some appreciated his acknowledgment of BTS’s role in this transformation, others criticized his statements, accusing him of overstating his contributions. An X user, @Jin_JingIing, wrote,

"Only BTS and bpd did nothing other than bringing the mess to BTS legacy’s."

HYBE's CEO faces backlash from fans for crediting himself alongside BTS (Image via X/@Jin_JingIing)

Many fans argued that the group's talent and hard work alone paved the way for global recognition of K-pop and Asian culture, with some labeling Bang Si-hyuk’s comments as self-serving.

"Why this man put himself in everything about BTS. BTS PAVED THE WAY," an X user wrote.

"BTS, absolutely yes. But BSH? Nah. We don't think so," another netizen remarked.

"The way he tried to sneak himself in the equation I’m cryinggg," a fan commented.

"Wow he is the most delusional person on earth please give this a Guinness world record. Lmfao!," a netizen wrote.

Others also pointed out that numerous other individuals and cultural contributors outside of K-pop have significantly impacted the global perception of Asian culture.

"Pretty certain there were teachers, Doctors, Writers and Activist that played a pivotal role in intercultural relations… Asia is NOT just Kpop, and I am a K-pop fan, but there’s holistic impact to consider," an X user commented.

"so you're saying that anime, Asian dramas (K-drama to be specific) or even other K-pop groups didn't hit that same achievement/impact as you did? BI*CH, ASIAN CULTURE HIT DIFFERENTLY LONG BEFORE YOU DID, WHAT TF IS THIS DELULU THINKING? I used to like him but what happened?!" a netizen wrote.

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More about Bang Si-hyuk and his latest interview with Asia Society

Bang Si-hyuk, a renowned figure in South Korea's music industry, has been instrumental in reshaping the global landscape of K-pop. As the founder of BIGHIT Music and co-founder of Hybe Corporation, he has played a pivotal role in the entertainment industry's evolution.

Currently serving as the chairperson of Hybe Corporation, Bang Si-hyuk is also South Korea’s only billionaire in the entertainment sector, with a net worth of $3.2 billion as of mid-2021, cementing his status as one of the nation’s 50 wealthiest individuals.

In a recent interview released by Asia Society, Bang Si-hyuk emphasized that the evolution of cultural understanding was one of the group’s most profound impacts. Before BTS gained worldwide acclaim, he noted that appreciation for Asian culture was often limited or seen through a narrow lens. He said,

"Honestly, I can’t take credit for everything, but before BTS became a global success, understanding Asian culture was very limited and narrow-minded. But that changed through BTS and my efforts. We penetrated the world, and people appreciated our culture for what it was.”

During the interview, Bang Si-hyuk also discussed the need to balance Korean and global elements in music. He expressed a commitment to creating content that feels universal while remaining deeply rooted in its cultural origins.

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The interview comes after Bang Si-hyuk was honored at the Asia Game Challenger Awards in New York earlier this year for his efforts in promoting Asian culture.