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Who is the 'next BTS'? Fans call out K-pop industry's obsession with recreating group's success

BTS took 3 years after their 2013 debut before they were recognized internationally, thanks to ARMYs

Ever since the boy group BTS made it big internationally, there has been a lot of buzz about K-pop's “next BTS”. After BTS made its debut in the K-pop industry, it took the boy group more than three years to be recognized by the rest of the world. In their 'struggling years,' the boy group was reportedly disrespected by the Korean entertainment industry as they were not managed by the 'Big 3' labels, SM, YG and JYP. But now, the boy group has come to a place where they are loved and respected by everyone, not only in Korea but globally.

With the support of fans who put the boy group before everything else, BTS was able to make it to international shows and slowly but steadily has become the boy group that it is now. BTS more or less re-opened K-pop concerts in the USA with their 'Permission to Dance on Stage' concerts in Los Angeles back in December of 2020, and now all thanks to that, more K-pop acts are selling out shows internationally, post-COVID. This has Korean media outlets asking which group will be the "next BTS" in the US.

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Can BTS' success be replicated?

BTS has been one of the biggest grossing acts in the USA after the pandemic was over including four sold-out stadium tours before and after their three-month-long break. Not only that but the boy group also released their concert in Seoul globally on the same day in March which garnered phenomenal numbers for the group's label by becoming the highest-grossing theatrical release by a non-movie event. All these numbers go to show that BTS' popularity is becoming unbeatable by the day, which is why many Korean music honchos are interested in making the "next BTS".

Now, BTS fans have also given their two cents on the issue claiming that they do not think something like that is close to possible unless one crucial factor is met. Fans believe that it is ARMY - BTS fandom that makes the boy group what it is today. Be it their global recognition to the point that international artists are being accused of "clout-chasing" for using the boys to boost their own fanbase. Even though the members of BTS chose to keep silent about how they used to be treated by Korean hosts or award shows in the past, it cannot be denied that their fans were the only people who fought for BTS.

Back in 2020, when BTS members were at a press conference for their album 'BE', reporters had asked the boy group about who they thought would be the "next BTS". Suga had calmly stated that in his opinion, there was never going to be a "next BTS" considering the fact that the boy group had opened the international gateways to all K-pop acts.

Korean industry's 'obsession' with BTS

Fans are calling out the Korean Entertainment industry's obsession with BTS. One fan said, "There is no such thing as the next BTS, if you want to do it yourself, you don't have to use the name BTS to be famous." One more fan said, "Next BTS"... The obsession. There is no next BTS. When will they understand it?" One fan said, "Don't try to compare another group to BTS. They are incomparable. There will never be another MJ even though he inspired a lot of artists. I think BTS will be the same. Paving they way doesn't mean people need to imitate them. I hope someone comes with something new & original."

One fan said, "That's the problem they don't seem to understand-there'll never be a next-another-because 7 individuals were brought together at just the right moment-right place-with the right person-who believed in themselves &eachother to begin this journey&ARMY w/them-never to be repeated!!!" One fan said, "Another fact they are ignoring is that there is no "next BTS" because there is no "next army"... The other fans are so against us that they refuse to use the tools we have out in the open... But they aren't ready for this fact."

One fan quoted, "@BTS_twt looks so much BIGGER than any star they're next to, and that because of [ARMY]...because of the passion and love and the screams...PEOPLE feel it and notice it." - @DJJINO_twt WHEN ARMY SAID, WE'D MAKE #BTS UNTOUCHABLE. WE MEANT IT." One fan said, "The moment you market your group as the next bts i’m not listening i’m so serious." One fan said, "If i was in a group and my company told some random source that we’ll be the “next bts” that resignation paper hitting your table. trying to set me up for failure like." One fan said, "They keep saying NEXT BTS when Bang PD can’t even recreate BTS."

One fan explained, "These companies need to realize that will never happen. If they put all the money and time they waste trying to achieve that and actually put it into their artists being their own group, they’d be respected more. BTS aren’t a formula that can be copied and pasted." One fan said, "Ironic how korean entertainment industry keep wanting to create “the next bts” but refusing to acknowledge bts’ achievements, and always trying to the take the credit or making it sound like anyone could achieve what they did."