A recent news article has drawn criticism for its claims that BLACKPINK member Rosé's success with her song APT featuring Bruno Mars was partly due to BTS’s influence in the global music industry.
The article, published by Money Today, was titled, "BTS will return: Everyone is slowly buying them except for ants?... A reverse in HYBE’s Atmosphere." In it, the media outlet highlighted BTS’s monumental achievements, such as eight Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hits and over 50 chart entries, crediting them as the driving force behind K-pop’s recognition on the global stage.
The controversy stemmed from the statement:
“Recently, BLACKPINK’s Rosé ranked eighth on the Billboard charts with her song, APT featuring Bruno Mars. This was also possible because BTS paved the way for the global pop market, which was ignorant of K-pop.”
Korean netizens were quick to express their disapproval, accusing HYBE of overshadowing Rosé’s accomplishments by linking them to BTS. Fans argued that while BTS undoubtedly played a significant role in expanding K-pop’s reach, Rosé’s success should be attributed to her own talent and efforts, as well as BLACKPINK’s global influence.
The article’s tone and implication that Rosé’s achievement was dependent on BTS left many fans feeling that the recognition for her work was diminished.
The backlash has sparked discussions about how K-pop artists are often compared within the industry, despite their unique contributions. While BTS and BLACKPINK have both made waves globally, many fans believe it’s time to celebrate each artist's achievements independently.