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The phrase “paved the way” has become a hot topic in the K-pop community, particularly regarding BTS and BIGBANG. The debate resurfaced on January 6, 2025, after Taeyang of BIGBANG spoke about his group’s contributions to spreading K-pop globally during an interview with CNN.
His comments sparked a clash between fandoms. While some believe Taeyang's statement undermines BTS’s global impact, others saw it as a rightful acknowledgment of BIGBANG’s legacy.
In the K-pop context, “paved the way” refers to artists who broke barriers and opened opportunities for others by expanding the genre’s reach beyond Korea. It recognizes the efforts of those who laid the foundation for the international success K-pop enjoys today.
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Historically, early acts like PSY, Wonder Girls, and BIGBANG made significant strides in popularizing K-pop internationally. BIGBANG, in particular, gained recognition for their innovative music style, global tours, and digital influence during the late 2000s and early 2010s.
Meanwhile, BTS is widely credited with catapulting K-pop to unprecedented global heights. They have achieved milestones such as topping the Billboard charts, earning Grammy nominations, and becoming cultural ambassadors on the world stage.
Some neutral voices pointed out that the media may have amplified the issue in a way that provoked division. Others called for fans to appreciate both groups' unique contributions instead of pitting them against one another. An X user, @taesoothe, wrote:
"This started from bigbang fans, the "army" accounts who "hated" on him were bootlegs with 0 following and 0 followers, journalists and payable media immediately joined... Currently in Korea the viral anti-marketing companies are popular, and hatred towards BTS is very clickable. It's not BTS who needs to increase relevancy, and negative press on BTS is two birds one stone."
Fans from both fandoms joined the discussion to share their perspectives. BTS supporters emphasized that the septet played a pivotal role in achieving K-pop's global reach and aiming for international awards.
"This is my opinion about “no one paved the way” statement. kpop idols before bts were aiming for daesang now new gen idol are aiming for grammys," a fan added.
"Bigbang fans spamming the comments of bts’ instagram account like any of the members will see that sh*t. doing all that won’t change the fact that BTS PAVED THE WAY," another netizen remarked.
"Isn't it funny that even kpop idols, journalists, economists, politicians, experts, everyone agrees bts paved the way except kpop stans," another user wrote.
Meanwhile, BIGBANG fans argued that the group made a significant impact despite having limited access to the internet compared to today's digital landscape.
"BIGBANG didn’t pave the way. They just invented asphalt, concrete, stones such as flagstone, cobblestone, and setts, artificial stone, bricks, tiles, and wood to create the road," a fan added.
"I never got the paved the way argument cause I just genuinely don't believe the success of one Korean artist globally or locally has any effect on the success of a different artist...," another user wrote.
"Exactly, I mean bigbang was so ahead of them in all terms !! all they can brag about is spotify streams and bb but do they realize bigbang debuted in 2006, era of illegal downloading and their last album was in 2015 (and bigbang was added to spotify in 2019 ) lol," a netizen mentioned.
Who can be attributed for paving the way for K-pop globally: BTS or BIGBANG?
BTS’s influence on the global music industry is undeniable. Since their debut in 2013, the group has shattered records and redefined the limits of what a Korean act can achieve internationally. Their social media presence, storytelling in music, and dedication to their craft have won them a devoted global fanbase, ARMY.
BTS’s achievements, such as being the first K-pop group to perform at the Grammys and speak at the UN, have elevated K-pop to mainstream global recognition. Their multiple No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 set a new benchmark for Korean artists in the Western music industry.
Furthermore, the septet’s ability to sell out massive stadiums worldwide, such as Wembley Stadium in London and the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles, showcased the growing global demand for K-pop.
Meanwhile, BIGBANG's achievements are often highlighted as foundational in K-pop's rise to international prominence. Their Alive Galaxy Tour in 2012 marked one of the first successful global tours by a K-pop group, reaching audiences in North America, Europe, and South America.
Additionally, their global impact was achieved during an era with limited access to social media and streaming platforms, showcasing their ability to connect with fans worldwide despite fewer resources for global promotion.
Both groups have contributed uniquely to K-pop’s evolution, and their successes are interconnected in shaping the genre’s global appeal.
Despite the ongoing fan wars, members of both groups have frequently expressed admiration and respect for each other's work.
