BTS paved the way

"BTS paved the way" is a controversial meme often used by Western, English-speaking ARMY (fans of the band BTS) to describe the group's impact on kpop and its international spread. It is frequently a source of arguments between ARMY and clashing fan communities on kpop stan twitter.Being stan Twitter, these arguments and discussions often devolve into petty squabbling, the use of strawman arguments, and a lot of toxicity on both sides of the discourse. This article is not focused on the squabbles, but the reasons for and against this claim as they are expressed in a civilized, constructive manner. 
== Origins ==
=== Meaning ===
The idiom "paved the way" is defined by the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary and Thesaurus as "If something paves the way for/to something else, it makes the other thing possible."https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/pave-the-way 
Merriam-Webster's online dictionary gives a definition with a slightly different connotation: " to make it easier for (something to happen or someone to do something)."“Pave the way for (something or someone).” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pave%20the%20way%20for%20%28something%20or%20someone%29. Accessed 23 Sep. 2024.
=== Adoption by ARMY ===
It is unclear exactly when ARMY began to adopt "BTS paved the way" as a slogan. It likely originated around the time of BTS's meteoric size to success in the Western market, circa 2017. 
By April of 2019, writer Natalie Morin described the phrase as already a "common assertion" by fans when it trended on Twitter after BTS was nominated for the "Top Duo/Group" award at that year's Billboard Music Awards.https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2019/04/228931/bts-bbmas-nomination-top-group-paved-the-way-hastag Morin explains the statement's significance as, "It has been common assertion among ARMY (and sometimes a point of controversy), who believe that BTS has made the biggest impact and distinguished themselves from their musical peers, opening the door for future Korean acts to follow in their footsteps."
=== Recognition by RM ===
BTS member and leader Kim Namjoon, better known by his stage name RM, acknowledged the meme in a livestream.The actual date of this live needs to be determined. Responding to a fan's comment about BTS paving the way, RM stated: "BTS paved the way? That's funny, but that's true. For sure. Why not."https://www.youtube.com/shorts/WH-3NgCq0lI Clip uploaded by YouTube user kitchiekook RM received backlash over this statement, with some users deeming it disrespectful to the originators of the Hallyu Wave such as Psy, SHINee, Big Bang, Girls Generation, 2NE1, Wonder Girls, and 2PM."BTS PAVED THE WAY: A HISTORY" by shookga
In September 2024, RM's feature on the Megan Thee Stallion song "Neva Play" referenced the meme with the lyric: "For Asia, man we paved the way."Official upload of "Neva Play" music video by Megan Thee Stallion ft. RM on Megan Thee Stallion's YouTube channel
== Arguments in Favor ==
# BTS achieved stability and growth in the Western market to a greater extent and for a longer period of time than other acts who previously attempted to expand in this manner. "bts paved the way, why is it so hard to accept it?" by boracitymagazine
# Despite artists like Psy with his viral hit "Gangnam Style" and other groups considered to be part of the 2nd Generation gaining fans and performing in the United States, the kpop music market in America was at standstill, prior to BTS's upswing in popularity in the late 2010s.
# Kpop was not widely known in the United States prior to BTS. 
# ARMYs requesting the ability to purchase kpop albums domestically lead major retailers such as Walmart and Target carrying kpop albums.
# BTS was nominated for and won awards at the Billboard Music Awards over multiple years. BTS also are two-time Grammy nominees, and the only Korean act to receive this distinction. 
# The growth and visibility of BTS made it easier for other kpop groups to be invited to American talk shows and award programs. While this is frequently cited as a fan talking point, there is not empirical evidence to track this unlike with many of the other arguments. Since BTS became popular in the West, more groups have appeared on such shows. However, it is important to note that correlation does not equal causation, which appears to be the grounds of this particular argument.
# The successes of the 1st and 2nd Generation kpop groups did not make it easier for BTS to reach their numerous achievements. Once again, this is not empirical and is not easily quantifiable, but is a common argument. YouTuber boracitymagazine goes as far as to claim that the "failure" of the earlier groups to achieve widespread success made things more difficult for later groups like BTS. This claim is not backed up by hard evidence or examples, so does not do a good job of arguing in favor of BTS paving the way.
== Arguments Against ==
Arguments against the assertion that "BTS paved the way" are frequently based around the assertion that 2nd Generation kpop groups, which predate BTS (considered a 3rd generation group as they debuted in 2013), could be more accurately said to have paved the way as they significantly contributed to the global spread of Korean culture known as the "hallyu wave." Fans of these groups tend to view ARMY's insistence that BTS paved the way as disrespectful to the work of others in the kpop industry. https://www.reddit.com/r/kpoprants/comments/13wzyuk/yes_bts_paved_the_way_but_not_in_the_way_you_think/https://www.reddit.com/r/kpoprants/comments/ifsw78/bts_paved_the_way_a_comparison/Some fans also take issue with the use of the term being used to disparage and disregard the accomplishments of other artists.https://www.reddit.com/r/kpoprants/comments/ifsw78/bts_paved_the_way_a_comparison/
Many kpop fans have also maintained that the argument is flawed because no other group has yet to reach the heights of BTS in terms of Western popularity. So, then, the success of BTS can't be said to have provided a path forward for newer groups to become just as, if not more, successful in markets such as the United States. And, when other groups do reach significant milestones, some ARMY use the opportunity to loudly insist that BTS paved the way.https://www.reddit.com/r/kpop_uncensored/comments/1813sl4/i_dont_think_people_understand_what_bts_paved_the/ This can come across as attributing achievements of other artists to BTS. 
== Is BTS even kpop? ==
Confusing matters even more, another trend among some ARMY is to distance BTS from kpop altogether by classifying them as "beyond kpop" or in a "different league." https://www.reddit.com/r/kpoprants/comments/11pig4w/so_tired_of_people_saying_bts_isnt_kpop/ https://www.reddit.com/r/kpophelp/comments/16i2zmc/i_see_a_lot_of_armys_saying_bts_is_not_kpop_and/ https://www.reddit.com/r/kpophelp/comments/oc1lbn/what_do_armys_mean_when_they_say_bts_is_not_kpop/ https://www.reddit.com/r/kpopvents/comments/uguj8c/people_need_to_stop_saying_bts_are_not_kpop/
This narrative of "BTS is not kpop" can be seen as complicating the "paved the way narrative" even further. Around 2017, Reddit user thepigdidit observed that many BTS fans did not seem actually invested in "pav[ing] the way for future kpop."https://www.reddit.com/r/bangtan/comments/7txl1f/comment/dtg6mzu/ 
Reddit users have recalled that the denial of BTS as a kpop act had its origins as a defense against fans of other groups claiming that BTS was too Westernized or selling out. However, fans of other groups have interpreted this as hostile and as looking down upon their favorite musicians.
== So who Really Paved the Way? ==
The topic of who "paved the way" in kpop is highly subjective to one's personal definition of the term as well as their own biases towards specific groups. It is unlikely that fans of Korean popular music will sort this issue out among themselves anytime soon, if ever. 
==Notes==
== References ==
Category:Memes
Category:BTS
Category:K-Pop Fandom Glossary