Bang Si-hyuk's Remarks on BTS's Impact Spark Fan Outrage š”š„
- MediaFx
- Dec 24, 2024
- 2 min read
TL;DR:Ā Bang Si-hyuk, CEO of HYBE, recently claimed that his and BTS's efforts reshaped global views on Asian culture. Fans are fuming, arguing that BTS alone deserves the credit for their hard-earned success. š¤š
Bang Si-hyuk's Bold Claim šļø
On December 23, 2024, Asia Society dropped a short interview with HYBE's CEO, Bang Si-hyuk, on YouTube. In the clip titled "Bang Si-Hyuk of HYBE Discusses BTS, Rise of K-pop and Korean Culture, and His Creative Process," he reflected on BTS's journey. Bang admitted he never saw their massive success coming and believed that both his and BTS's efforts played a key role in changing how the world sees Asian culture. He mentioned that during his early days, the American music scene felt out of reach. But about two years after BTS's debut, he started thinking they could achieve something groundbreaking for Asia. He said, "About two and a half years after BTS debuted, I felt like I could actually achieve things that had never been done before in Asia. I really encouraged members of BTS and myself to try our best to realize our dreams."
Fan Backlash Erupts š„
While some appreciated Bang's shoutout to BTS's role in this cultural shift, many fans weren't having it. They accused him of hogging the spotlight and downplaying BTS's solo grind. One fan tweeted, "Only BTS and bpd did nothing other than bringing the mess to BTS legacyās." Another chimed in, "Why this man put himself in everything about BTS. BTS PAVED THE WAY." The general vibe among fans is that BTS's talent and hustle alone put K-pop and Asian culture on the global map, and Bang's comments came off as self-serving.
A History of Controversy šµļøāāļø
This isn't the first time Bang Si-hyuk has been in hot water with fans. Earlier this year, he faced heat over leaked internal HYBE documents that had unflattering comments about K-pop idols, including BTS. Reports suggested Bang was directly involved in sharing these documents, leading to fans calling for his resignation. One fan commented, "We pre-hybe kpop fans did try to warn others on how this man would ruin the industry but we were just called pressed and dramatic."
The Ongoing Debate š
The latest comments have reignited debates about who truly deserves credit for BTS's global success. Fans argue that while Bang Si-hyuk may have played a role in their early days, it's BTS's relentless work and connection with fans that broke international barriers. The controversy also highlights ongoing tensions between HYBE's management and the BTS fanbase, with fans urging the company to recognize and respect the group's autonomy and achievements.
Join the Conversation š£ļø
What do you think about Bang Si-hyuk's comments? Do you believe BTS's success is solely due to their efforts, or did HYBE's management play a significant role? Drop your thoughts in the comments below! š
