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What is K-pop's 'Big 4': ARMY deny that BTS had any 'privilege' like YG, JYPE, SM acts

The 'Big 3' were the three major labels JYPE, SM and YG who dominated the K-pop industry before Hybe (formerly BigHit Entertainment)

There has been a lot of misunderstandings when it comes to BTS because of jealousy, prejudice and simply trolling. While there are some toxic fans who give a bad name to BTS' fandom ARMY, a majority of fans only want to protect the boys from racism and slander. But they are still sent hate tweets and looked down upon, despite belonging to one of biggest fandoms in the world right now for one of the biggest music groups.

While it is true that relatively newer groups like TXT, Enhypen and fromis_9 have the advantage and privilege of being part of BTS’ parent company, BTS themselves had to work hard to get where they are. They are the reason why other groups created by HYBE (formerly BigHit Entertainment) are privileged. So ARMYs find it insulting that HYBE is lumped into the ‘Big 4’ category to discredit BTS’ achievements by pinning their success on the backing of the now mega K-pop label that recently acquired Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande's music label Ithaca Holdings in the US.

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What is 'Big 4'?

The latest discourse centers around whether to add HYBE into the ‘Big 4’ category of major K-pop labels. It all began when an Atiny (Ateez’s fandom) shared, “Do y’all realise that #ATEEZ is the ONLY group that is not under the big4, to ever be invited to the Grammy Museum? it’s a really big achievement for the boys!#ATEEZxGrammys.” It should be noted that the first K-pop group to be invited was BTS when their label BigHit had not yet been rebranded as HYBE and wasn't considered as big a deal as the original 'Big 3' — SM, JYPE and YG, which had dominated the K-pop industry for decades. The second and third groups invited to the Grammy Museum are GFriend and Seventeen, after their labels were acquired by BigHit and then HYBE.

Before BigHit rebranded, everyone unanimously agreed that SM, YG and JYPE were part of the ‘Big 3’. They were the biggest three K-pop labels founded by former idols and successful entrepreneurs, housed famous K-pop acts and had the financial backing to pull off expensive comebacks by partnering up with promotional shows and events. Finance is the big keyword here — many know that BigHit was a small label when BTS first debuted and they rose to their current level of popularity with the limited resources their label had.

Why ARMY do not like the term 'Big 4'

Another ARMY explained why fans ended up coining the term ‘Big 3’. “Big 3 isn’t just a term used for JYP/YG/SM bc they were the biggest. It’s bc they controlled the media, the music shows, the radio, the variety content – no one outside of the Big 3 had even one a daesang [grand prize] until BTS. They worked really hard to make sure no one had a shot except for their artists…BH opened doors–they didn’t shut everyone but their artists out.”

However, HYBE has grown bigger than BTS as they are on the same level as other multi conglomerates like Kakao, CJ ENM and Naver, branching out to other fields and have several labels under them. Their revenue for the fourth quarter of 2021 was more than the JYPE, SM and YG’s combined. BTS' sustained global success helped turn this erstwhile 'small company' into the HYBE juggernaut that is now considered part of the ‘Big 4’. So the term ‘Big 4’ now refers to the four biggest K-pop companies in terms of finance and popularity with successful artists, with HYBE joining SM, YG and JYPE.

'BTS is still fighting to get proper acknowledgement'

One ARMY explained, “BTS is not included on the "BIG 4/HYBE privilege" because they are the one who made that "privilege". They are the reason why there is a thing called "hybe/BH privilege" which they never experienced.” Another fan tweeted, “Don't come in here with "the Big 4" thing to make it seem like your group has it hard when BTS is still fighting to get proper acknowledgement for their massive success TO THIS DAY.”

One shared why BTS’ past achievements cannot be credited to the ‘Big 4’ privilege, “Completely disregarding Bighit and BTS who were starting to receive recognition. They weren’t at the same level as they are now nor was the company and for you to denigrate them is disrespectful. “Big4” comical at most.” One Ateez fan tried to clear the misunderstanding caused by OP’s words, “Why are armys mad here ?? atez is a 4th gen group and for 4th gen groups , hybe IS a  big company , we're not saying bts came from a big company ??bts made hybe one of the big companies to the point it is paired with the big3 or even bigger..”

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