TWICE’s Tzuyu says BTS paved the way

The phrase “BTS paved the way” has become a talking point within K-pop fandoms. Although many artists – including TWICE, Stray Kids, GOT7’s Jackson Wang, PSY, and others – have openly credited BTS for helping globalize K-pop, the statement often sparks backlash when repeated. The latest instance came when TWICE’s Tzuyu acknowledged BTS’ role in expanding K-pop’s global reach.

While ARMY and ONCE – the fandoms of BTS and TWICE – have been celebrating the recent interactions between the two groups, BLACKPINK fans appear less enthusiastic. Many took to social media to express frustration, interpreting the praise as sidelining BLACKPINK’s own contributions to K-pop’s worldwide popularity.

What did Tzuyu say about BTS?

In an interview with Forbes, Tzuyu didn’t hesitate to credit BTS for their impact on K-pop’s global rise. “There are so many K-pop artists who worked so hard so that K-pop can take the centre stage. Many artists worked hard to contribute, and BTS played a big role in that,” she said, applauding the group’s significance in shaping K-pop as a worldwide phenomenon.

While many felt this moment was wholesome – especially ARMY, who believe the BIG 3 labels mostly bar their artists from mentioning BTS – it was huge to see a big artist like TWICE openly show respect to BTS. However, BLACKPINK fans were unhappy with the statement made by Tzuyu.

What are BLINKs saying?

Many BLINKs, especially on X (formerly known as Twitter), spoke about how TWICE had just released a song, THIS IS FOR – a track hyping up women – and felt they should not have praised men for globalising K-pop. Some others wondered why BLACKPINK was not mentioned, as according to BLINKs, BTS and BLACKPINK achieved global success around the same time.

BTS made a major breakthrough in 2017 when DNA first charted at #85 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking a significant milestone for the group. Their global presence was further amplified with a high-energy performance of the song at the American Music Awards later that year – a moment many U.S. ARMYs cite as their introduction to BTS. Soon after, Fake Love made history as the first K-pop song since PSY’s Gangnam Style to break into the chart’s Top 10.

BLACKPINK followed with a landmark achievement of their own in 2018. Their hit Ddu-Du Ddu-Du marked their debut on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #55 – the highest position ever reached by a K-pop girl group at the time.

Hence, BLINKs on X who were unhappy with the statement wrote posts like: “When a woman empowers men but fails to recognize other women, it’s not strength, it’s a missed opportunity.”

Another said, “Giving credit to men for the success of your girl group in an industry dominated by men is the most pick-me and crybaby thing you can do. No wonder their empowerment concepts felt performative – they were always a group created for the male gaze.”

One wrote, “Me when my music and master’s degree go nowhere so I resort to name-dropping just to bait their fanbase.”

Another added, “Releasing a women empowerment song just to credit the bunch of men for the growth of a whole industry… STAND UP.”

One even wrote, “Just released a song about feminism & women empowerment yet preaching some men, we never making out of misogyny damn.”

ARMY and ONCE reunite

While the two fandoms were enjoying the comments made, they also clapped back at BLINKs: One ARMY said, “I genuinely have so much respect for these girls because they’ve never been bitter about BTS and they’ve always acknowledged their hard work and what they’ve done for the K-pop industry.”

Another said, “The qrts is why we don’t take BLINKs seriously when they preach about feminism. Like, the only reason you can think of when a woman gives credit to BTS is that she wants clout?”

One added, “If BLINKs dislike TWICE so much, why do you need their validation so much? They’re flops, right? So why does it matter to y’all?”

Another taunted, “She’s from TWICE mentioning BTS, but a certain fandom that has nothing to do with both groups is pissed. They love to make everything about their group.”

More about BTS and TWICE

What started as a simple dance challenge turned into a full-blown third-gen crossover event. TWICE’s Momo and Nayeon lit up social media with their collab with BTS J-Hope for his Sweet Dreams dance challenge, sending fans into a frenzy. But that was only the beginning.

J-Hope soon appeared on Sana’s Fridge Interview, effortlessly charming viewers, before taking on the Killin’ It Girl challenge. The surprise didn’t end there – the BTS rapper was later spotted meeting Nayeon and Jihyo at BLACKPINK’s DEADLINE concert in South Korea, a moment that felt straight out of a K-pop cinematic universe.

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