TWICE is currently holding a three-day finale concert in Seoul from July 10–12, marking the final stop of the group's hugely successful sixth world tour, "This Is For." Kicking off in July 2025 in Incheon, South кσяєα, with completely sold-out shows, the tour traveled across Asia, Oceania, North αмєяι¢α, and Europe before returning to Seoul to wrap up its nearly year-long journey.
In North αмєяι¢α alone, TWICE drew an impressive 550,000 concertgoers, making history as the best-attended K-pop girl group in the region to date!
Meanwhile, at 1 p.m. KST on July 10, leader Jihyo officially released her new collaboration single "Distant Lover" with Jamaican singer Shenseea on global streaming platforms. The collaboration marks another milestone in the idol's expanding global music career. Earlier this year, she was featured on αмєяι¢αn R&B singer-songwriter Jenevieve's track "Hvnly," before later appearing on "Follow Me," a song released as part of the official global music project for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Notably, rather than focusing solely on her recent personal achievements or international collaborations, Jihyo used her latest interview with Forbes to acknowledge the senior artists she believes helped pave the way for K-pop's global expansion—specifically naming BTS. Her remarks quickly became a hot topic of discussion among online communities.
In Forbes' July 10 article titled "Jihyo Is Learning To Slow Down With Shenseea Collab, 'Distant Lover,'" the magazine wrote: "Jihyo credits…groups like her seniors and BTS, for 'paving the way' for South кσяєαn artists to become better known. She shares, 'We're just following in their footsteps, and I'm grateful for what they've done for us.'"
The phrase "paved the way" has long been one of the most hotly debated topics within the K-pop community. While much of the international media agrees that BTS were the first group to truly break through barriers, opening the door to widespread global recognition and unprecedented success in major markets such as the United States and Europe, the title has—as noted previously—rarely been mentioned without sparking controversy. Over the years, some critics have voiced dissatisfaction or attempted to challenge the HYBE superstars' place in that narrative.
Jihyo, however, had no hesitation in explicitly naming BTS as the group that "paved the way," while also expressing her gratitude toward her seniors. Even more notably, this is far from the first time she or TWICE has publicly credited BTS for helping expand K-pop's international reach. Instead, it marks yet another occasion on which the group has consistently acknowledged BTS' influence.
Back in 2018, during an interview at KCON Los Angeles, Jihyo said: “We never thought Kpop would become so popular in αмєяι¢α, but because BTS paved the way and gave us an opportunity to become more known, we are very thankful and wish to promote more in the US.”
Likewise, in Forbes' interview celebrating TWICE's 10th anniversary, Tzuyu immediately named BTS when asked who she considered the greatest K-pop artist of all time. She stated: "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."
As fellow artists working within the industry, the members of TWICE are arguably well-positioned to comment on BTS' significance in K-pop, having witnessed the industry's global growth firsthand. Moreover, these remarks are not isolated comments but rather a viewpoint the group has consistently expressed across multiple interviews over the years. As a result, many fans believe that continued skepticism toward the statement that "BTS paved the way" reflects personal bias more than any genuine dispute over the group's global impact.
On social media, fans and netizens alike applauded Jihyo's latest remarks:
- Wars only exists between the fans...idols respect each other and knows How to show gratitude... That's why i daf to their nugu fans
- The only ones that deny are kpop stans. Everyone knows BTS paved the way
- If Jihyo’s gratitude were a song it’d be on repeat, and we’d all be dancing in that jungle while BTS holds the red‑wall backstage
- I'm not fans, but i will never say bad thing to these girls, they showing again and again, how they acknowledge BTS impact and respect them
- Love how she recognises that they actually were the ones who paved the way or else KPOP would've never been this known worldwide!
- Their hard work opened so many doors for korean artists around the world, and seeing other artists acknowledge that legacy is really special
- love seeing other idols speak on the truth so many k-pop stans choose to deny. there’s a reason bts and twice have always respected and supported each other. jihyo’s words are a reminder that those who witnessed that growth firsthand have no reason to rewrite history
- I don't believe in sister fandoms but the way TWICE & BTS always supports each other, They're really twin groups.
- The Goddess leader of the world's biggest girl group has spoken out about the world's biggest group
- Respect between artists is one of the most beautiful parts of K-pop culture. Say it louder Jihyo!
