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South Korean government official Jeon Byeong-geuk received criticism from fans for his comments on the “Next BTS." The government has unveiled its plan to turn the country into one of the four major global content powers by discovering new talents like the BIGHIT MUSIC boy group from small agencies.
According to media outlet YTN, the key plan for this is to increase the economic value of Korean content by transforming it into a national strategic industry.
The Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Jeon Byeong-geuk, mentioned the renowned Oscar-winning film Parasite and the Grammy-nominated boy group as inspiration for the future of Korean content.
He stated,
“We will discover the next BTS by supporting the entire musician development cycle for capable small and medium-sized agencies.”
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However, fans have expressed their disappointment in the minister, as they believe that the South Korean government needs to treat the Yet to Come singers better. They believe that the government continues to fail to recognize the group's contribution to the entertainment industry.
Fans have voiced their opinion on this statement by the minister on social media.
“There will never be a “The Next BTS”, they’re a once in a lifetime miracle from God,” a fan said.
“They should also look for the Next ARMY , cause we cant, we are fully booked with our guys,” a user added.
“Honestly the fact that BTS members are seeing headlines like this pretty much every single day, but remain humble and down to earth,” another user commented.
“literally giving Simon cowell,” a fan tweeted.
Netizens have also expressed their anger by stating that the Dynamite singers should be respected by the government.
“The SK government should stop being disrespectful towards the boys and start respecting and praising them for the things they have done for their country and them! They never deserved them,” a user stated.
“How about they value the group as national treasure and give them the respect they deserve,” another fan said.
“They will never appreciate what they have. Instead of embracing what they have now they have spent the last 8 years trying to replace them,” another fan added.
Fans recall Suga's statement on “Next BTS” following the comments made by a South Korean government official
In April 2019, the boy group held a press conference for the release of their album Map of the Soul: Person. After Vice Minister Jeong Byeong-geuk's recent comments about the group, fans recalled Suga's statement from the press conference. During the conference, they were asked to advise the idol trainees, calling them “Next BTS.”
To which the rapper Suga replied, stating that there would not be a Next BTS, by further explaining that everyone has heroes or people they admire and wish to become like them. However, he stated that people do not turn into their heroes but rather become another version of themselves.
He said,
“It looks better to have another great artist, singers, than the next BTS.”
Currently, six out of seven members—RM, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook—excluding Jin—are fulfilling their national duties by serving in the military at their designated bases. Jin was the first among the group members to be discharged on June 12, 2024. Meanwhile, all the members are expected to reunite as a group in 2025.
