“Pave the way” is a term commonly used in English-language journalism to refer to an individual or a group opening up a new path and creating opportunities for those who come after. Around 2017–2019, as BTS continued to achieve major milestones on Western music charts and at prestigious award shows, Western media began using the phrase “BTS paved the way” to describe the trend and phenomenon surrounding the group.
Since then, ARMYs have repeatedly used the phrase “BTS paved the way” whenever BTS achieves major accomplishments in the global music market or when discussing the group’s influence in bringing K-pop to a wider global au∂ιєnce, particularly in breaking into the Western market.
However, the phrase has also sparked ongoing controversy, as some netizens believe that before BTS, there were already artists who had achieved success and introduced K-pop to the West. Others place BTS side by side with certain groups and ask the question, “Which group truly paved the way?”
If this topic remains difficult and contentious from a K-pop fan perspective, it is worth examining how those directly working in the industry—fellow idol artists—respond to the statement “BTS paved the way.”
Among idols, LE SSERAFIM’s Yujin is particularly noteworthy for candidly sharing her perspective despite being a fourth-generation idol, during a video interview with NHK General!, a נαραиese broadcast program.
Specifically, a video of Yunjin went viral on social media after she mentioned BTS’s success in the United States. Her original statement was: "I thought that through music, I wanna give courage and hope to people. For me, kpop is the way to achieve that. After seeing BTS receive awards in the U.S., I realized that "Asians can succeed in the music industry too."
Fans interpreted Yunjin’s remarks as recognizing BTS as the first artists to achieve such success in the Western market. Their unprecedented global achievements and unique contributions undeniably made it easier for other K-pop idols and content to be accepted worldwide. Moreover, BTS’s success has encouraged Asian artists to boldly develop their music and break beyond market limitations.
It is clear that many artists had helped K-pop cross beyond the borders of кσяєα on several occasions before BTS emerged. However, no one had done so with the same consistency, frequency, and level of tangible achievement as BTS. BTS is the only кσяєαn artist to receive RIAA Platinum certification in the United States, perform at the Grammy Awards, earn Grammy nominations for three consecutive years, top the Billboard 200 multiple times, surpαѕѕ 5 billion streams on Spotify, appear on the cover of Time magazine, speak at the United Nations, visit the Wнιтe House at the invitation of U.S. President Joe Biden, and be named on the Bloomberg 50 list...
BTS did not create the K-pop genre, but they elevated it to an entirely new level. Yunjin’s opinion is therefore completely reasonable, and fans expressed strong support for her viewpoint, commenting:
- For all those hate comments for Yunjin and BTS. She expressed her personal opinion; she can say whatever she wants. BTS has had many more achievements than your favorites who barely touch the charts with a song or thanks to a collab. So shut your mouths and go somewhere else.
- Oh she's so real for this. I'm growing fond of her style
- And you can never make me hate her she keeps it real wishing her and le sserafim continued success
- We love a queen that acknowledges bts' impact
- BTS is inspiration to many people. She's BURNING HOT for that
- BTS paved the way for alot of Idols to push there way into the US
In particular, to further support Yunjin’s argument and to address the question, “Who paved the way?”, I would like to cite several statements made by other idols when discussing BTS’s role in K-pop. TWICE’s Tzuyu once shared a similar view to Yunjin, saying: “There are so many K-pop artists who worked so hard so that K-pop can take the center stage. Many artists worked hard to contribute, and BTS played a big role in that.”
Stray Kids’ leader Bangchan, during a live broadcast, repeatedly stated: “Yeah. I mean, the members of BTS are legends” and “I think they paved the way. You have to admit it, that they paved the way.” He later went on to express that he has “mad respect to BTS,” and that the group is amazing.
GOT7’s Jackson Wang once remarked, “BTS opened up the gate for everybody, especially for K-pop I’d say,” while SEVENTEEN’s Hoshi also affirmed: “Everyone knows that the K-Pop industry was able to advance into the States because of BTS“.
Finally, to conclude the discussion, I would like to quote the lyrics written by BTS’s leader himself: "For Asia, man, we paved the way" from the song Neva Play (RM ft. Megan Thee Stallion).
