Everyone understands that “pave the way” means to open the path, set a precedent, or make things easier for others who follow. In K-pop, the phrase is most closely αѕѕociated with BTS, and it’s not hard to see why — they are arguably the only group capable of carrying the immense weight of being the genre’s “front engine.”
“BTS paved the way” is a declaration suggesting that BTS were the first K-pop group to truly open the door for global recognition and success, especially in Western markets such as the U.S. and Europe. The phrase first began circulating on Twitter around 2018, when BTS appeared on the Billboard Music Awards, αмєяι¢αn Music Awards, and The Ellen Show, achieving Billboard milestones no other K-pop act had reached before.
Over the years, countless achievements, records, and cultural milestones have further solidified BTS’s reputation as the group that “paved the way” for K-pop’s worldwide expansion. However, in recent years, some have expressed dissatisfaction or tried to dispute this position of HYBE’s superstars. Yet, it’s rare for fans to see an idol’s parent joining these kinds of debates.
That’s why the recent statement made by SEVENTEEN member Vernon’s mother, who denied that “BTS paved the way,” has drawn significant attention online. On November 12, Vernon’s mother posted a lengthy message on her personal Facebook account under the name Ody Vo, opening with a rather blunt sentence: “BTS built the company that was able to buy Pledis, the company Seventeen built.”
She claimed that HYBE acquired SEVENTEEN as part of a strategy to “offset the inevitable income loss” when BTS members began their military service. According to her, SEVENTEEN became the financial pillar that kept the company stable and generated consistent revenue, allowing HYBE to build new-generation idol groups and maintain its position as an industry leader.
Her full post reads:
Notably, in the comments section, she added that other artists “might rightfully be considered the act that truly paved the way.” She credited Big Bang for greatly influencing BTS’s and SEVENTEEN’s self-production styles — “but few are talking about them.” She also mentioned PSY’s “Gangnam Style” (2012) as an example of an act that truly “paved the way.”
According to Vernon’s mother, if “paving the way” means gaining the attention of Western au∂ιєnces, then Big Bang and PSY deserve that title — not just BTS.
Her denial of “BTS paved the way” quickly sparked a wave of mixed reactions, especially among ARMYs, who argued that she misunderstood both the phrase’s meaning and BTS’s central role in HYBE’s success.
ARMYs acknowledged that many artists have worked hard to bring K-pop to the world, but emphasized that only BTS managed to break the cultural and market barriers, dominate Western charts, and sustain that success for nearly a decade — all without being a Western (U.S./U.K.) act.
This isn’t just a fan conclusion; many K-pop idols themselves — including members of Seventeen, PSY, and BIGBANG’s G-Dragon — have publicly recognized BTS’s role in paving the way.
On the other hand, Vernon’s mother claimed that HYBE bought Pledis so that SEVENTEEN could fill the financial gap during BTS’s military hiatus. However, according to HYBE’s own financial reports over the past three years, BTS’s solo activities and pre-recorded content accounted for around 60% of total profits, while the remaining 40% came from other groups combined — including Seventeen, TXT, Enhypen, LE SSERAFIM, and others.
Therefore, the so-called “facts” stated by Vernon’s mother were inaccurate and unconvincing, clearly insufficient to downplay BTS’s status. Many netizens have since called her remarks “bitter” and “ignorant,” criticizing her for attempting to discredit BTS’s undeniable influence:
- This being Vernon’s mom….. the bitterness runs deep in the family I guess. this and that other svt member liking a shading instagram post bts need to watch their backs like genuinely there’s too many jealous and bitter losers around them
- the funny thing is that an mother of one of the svt member sees seventeen as being in the same league as bts. she openly belittles career of bts, ignoring their firsts for the industry. is their bts obsession genetic?
- vernon’s mom is literally a trump supporter.. surely she has bigger fish to fry than engaging in k-pop fan wars at her big grown age
- you can’t say that only Seventeen provided stable income for a few years to build up the new-generation groups. By saying that, you’re disregarding the fair contributions of other groups like Enhypen and TXT.
- Before BTS, no кσяєαn group had ever filled stadiums worldwide or topped the Billboard charts but they did it through their own effort and wrote a new history that cannot be denied. It’s simply unfair to say that anyone paved the way with them, because they were the way itself
- It’s honestly funny seeing a grown woman act like this. BTS’s parents never got involved in drama or spoke badly about anyone — they’ve always been respectful and humble.
- One of the best parts of being a BTS fan is knowing that none of their families would ever do soмєтнing like that, because they have no reason to feel insecure about anyone else’s success. BTS are at the very top, paving the way for the rest of the industry.
- Even when BTS were in the military, they were the biggest earners. Other celebrities have all acknowledged BTS, and that alone is enough to prove their status. The words of this woman are meaningless. I’d advise her to stay silent instead of causing more trouble for her son.
