In recent years, there has been much debate over what qualifies as K-pop and what does not, especially as more foreign elements blend into the industry. Increasingly, groups include members who are not кσяєαn, or even consist entirely of foreign idols, such as BLACKSWAN and KATSEYE.

Some fans criticize that these multinational groups are gradually drifting away from K-pop, or accuse them of not being qualified to be considered K-pop idols, even if their music sounds like K-pop or many of their songs are in кσяєαn.

In particular, even BTS has frequently appeared in articles and discussion topics questioning whether they can truly be considered a model K-pop group, especially when releasing songs entirely in English or collaborating with Western artists and producers.

When faced with the question of defining K-pop, BTS offered their perspective as one of the industry’s leading figures. Leader RM admitted right away that he has received this question countless times, even abroad, but his answer has changed over the years.

He shared that when they first attended the Billboard Music Awards in 2017, if anyone asked about what made K-pop unique, he would point to elements such as music videos, sound, choreography, visuals, and multimedia content. At that time, RM said K-pop could be defined as a comprehensive fusion of all those components.

But from the 2020s onward, RM explained, the factors that once shaped K-pop have become less clear. He pointed to groups with foreign members, saying that since they create music within the K-pop genre, they are still considered K-pop groups even if no members are кσяєαn.

He said: "There are many cases where foreigners are members. In fact, even if it is not кσяєα-¢нιиα, there are cases where you become a member from a country that has no origins. In fact, in Western countries, the genre is set to K-POP."

Conversely, RM also highlighted BTS’s own contrasting example, citing “Dynamite.” He explained that the song was created by a group consisting entirely of кσяєαns, yet it was sung completely in English. At the same time, it still followed the K-pop format, with its music video, choreography, and all the unique multimedia elements of the industry.

Specifically, he shared: "We said we were a K-POP group. Now there are teams that are not all кσяєαn. Then we are кσяєαn, all seven people. However, in the case of the song. For example, it ranked first on the Billboard HOT 100. But this was sung in English So this isn’t K-POP? This also has choreography and a music video. Some of our content is all attached"

Finally, RM concluded his answer by saying that the scope of K-pop continues to expand, and with it, the meaning of the words and terms αѕѕociated with it keeps evolving. Defining it objectively at this point, he stressed, is impossible—and it will continue to change in the future.

He concluded: "So, in my opinion, K-POP is still expanding. The horizon is expanding. Therefore, if you ask me to define K-POP, I think it will take a while and the meaning keeps changing".

On the other hand, Jimin closed with a simple yet powerful response, urging people to just embrace what they find worthy without forcing any labels onto it. He concluded: "There is such a thing. Good is good. Please like it a lot".

The answers from BTS members serve as a perfect conclusion to the debate, as globalization has clearly shown how boundaries are gradually blurring and becoming harder to define. Moreover, K-pop’s expansion to a global scale should not be seen as a negative development but rather as a way for it to grow and penetrate even the most competitive music markets, such as the West.

Fans were completely convinced by the superstars’ words and strongly agreed with their views. This perspective highlights not only BTS’s role in shaping the global perception of K-pop but also the genre’s unique ability to adapt and evolve with the times. In many ways, the ongoing debate itself proves just how influential and boundary-defying K-pop has become.