Finding The “Next BTS”? Government Official Faces Criticism For Comments
A government official’s statement about finding the “Next BTS” has sparked outrage.
Since debuting until now, even with most of the members enlisted, BTS always make an impact and have gone global with K-Pop.
In a recent article covering the South Korean government’s key strategy to become global content leaders by 2027, they spoke about ways to help improve aspects, and that included music.
The First Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Jeon Byeong Geuk, explained that they want to support musician development to help discover the “Next BTS.”
We will support the entire cycle of musician development for capable small and medium-sized agencies to discover the next BTS.
— Jeon Byeong Geuk
When the article was shared, ARMYs shared their anger at the government official using BTS’s name, and netizens thought it was offensive to active K-Pop groups as they are deemed not to be good enough as they don’t match BTS’s “standards.”
yoongi said "there's no next BTS" so they'll never be any 'next bts'. pic.twitter.com/gfROgtg45s
— NOOR♡ (@nwrsly10) June 19, 2024
At this point they are obsessed of finding the next BTS..
There is no next BTS!! pic.twitter.com/fcN2lpoPLJ— 리코산 (@focusonjeon_) June 19, 2024
The fact they are still looking for the next BTS is a slap to the active Kpop groups because you are basically telling them that they failed to reach the "BTS Standard" and no matter what they do, it will never be good enough for the higher ups and govt.https://t.co/wjTIMS35Lh
— Wandering Shadow (@shadow_twts) June 19, 2024
The only "Next BTS"-es we've seen, ever pic.twitter.com/OxuCTDez9o
— elli⁷ (@vocalistyg) June 19, 2024
Yet, it’s not the first, second, or even third time the idea of the “Next BTS” has been brought up.
In 2020, during a press conference, one reporter asked about the possibility of a “Next BTS.” Both Jin and Jimin gave confident and thoughtful answers, showing support to their junior idols but also their own careers.
In fact, we would also need time to think about this. We used to think of our role models and desired to be artists. But by walking through our own path instead of following their directions, we could discover our own way. We believe in ourselves but also our next juniors.
I really like the phrase ‘BTS Jr.’ because it sounds like people think of us positively. But actually, we haven’t thought of our juniors in detail.
Many ARMYs believe BTS is unique and that government officials using their name is just “clout-chasing.”
