On December 23, Asia Society released a short interview featuring Bang Si Hyuk. During the interview, he was asked if he ever envisioned himself playing a pivotal role in the international rise of K-pop and Korean culture.
“Honestly, I never imagined this kind of success,” Bang Si Hyuk admitted. “When I was young, the global market, especially the U.S. market, felt so distant. All those involved were heroes I could never dream of approaching. When BTS and I started this journey, I never thought we’d reach where we are now.”
Bang Si Hyuk credited BTS’s dedication and their joint efforts in achieving unprecedented milestones for Asian artists. “About two and a half years after BTS debuted, I realized that we could accomplish things that hadn’t been done before in Asia. I encouraged the members and myself to strive for our dreams, and step by step, we achieved them. Looking back, the journey feels surreal,” he shared.
He acknowledged the profound impact BTS had on breaking stereotypes about Asian culture. “Before BTS’s global success, the understanding of Asian culture was narrow and limited. Through BTS and my efforts, we penetrated global markets, and people started appreciating our culture for what it truly is,” he said.
Korean netizens were critical of Bang’s remarks, “He only got there because of luck,” “Just shut your mouth and come to Korea and attend the hearing,” and “The riches earned through illegal methods have ruined K-pop.”
On the other hand, international fans expressed their gratitude for his acknowledgment of BTS’s role and their collective effort, “I love how he made it clear that BTS was part of this success. It’s a team effort,” “He worked so hard along with our boys so they could become the legends they are today,” and “For giving BTS a start, sir, I will always respect you for that.”
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