Did BIGBANG’s Daesung take a dig at BTS? Idol says G-Dragon ‘paved the way for everything’ at group’s concert, sparking online chaos

The phrase "paved the way" has long carried weight in K-pop, where the legacy of one generation often becomes a point of contention for the next. Now, BIGBANG's anniversary celebrations have brought that debate back into the spotlight.

A comment from Daesung has caught fans' attention, with some questioning how his words fit into the wider conversation about K-pop's global success. But was it a dig at BTS, or a tribute to the group that shaped his career?

During BIGBANG's 20th-anniversary activities, Daesung praised his bandmate and group leader G-Dragon, saying he had "paved the way for everything" since 2006. The remark was made in the context of celebrating BIGBANG's journey and G-Dragon's influence on the group.

Daesung did not explicitly mention BTS or criticise the group. However, the phrase prompted reactions from ARMY, some of whom argued that BTS' role in taking K-pop to unprecedented levels of mainstream recognition in Western markets should not be overlooked.

The phrase "BTS paved the way" was not coined by one individual. It emerged organically within online K-pop communities, particularly among BTS fans, as a way to describe the group's breakthrough in international music markets, including the United States.

The slogan gained traction on X (formerly Twitter), around 2017–2019, as fans pointed to BTS' Billboard Hot 100 achievements, stadium tours and recognition at major Western music awards. Over time, the phrase became closely associated with debates about BTS' contribution to K-pop's global reach.

BTS' rise has drawn recognition from figures across South Korea's music and political landscape, with several publicly acknowledging the group's role in taking K-pop to a wider international audience.

One of the most symbolic moments came on September 2, 2017, when K-pop pioneer Seo Taiji passed the musical torch to BTS during his 25th-anniversary concert, "Time: Traveler," at Seoul Olympic Stadium, attended by 35,000 fans.

Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in also credited the group with helping bring K-pop onto the world stage.

Years later, PSY echoed that recognition while speaking at the Public Broadcasters International (PBI) Seoul conference on October 15, 2026. Reflecting on the group's position in the industry, he said, "BTS is doing so well, so I'll leave the future to them."

Although Daesung's comment reignited the debate over who "paved the way" for K-pop, he did not directly mention BTS or criticise the group. His remark came during BIGBANG’s anniversary celebrations, where he was praising G-Dragon’s contribution to the group.

The reaction, however, exposed the divide between fans who highlight G-Dragon and BIGBANG's influence on K-pop and ARMYs who point to BTS' achievements in Western markets and their role in expanding the genre's global reach.

While some fans pushed back against Daesung's use of the phrase, others viewed it as praise for his bandmate rather than a dig at BTS. His statement alone does not establish that he intended to target the group.

The disagreement reflects a broader debate over how K-pop's global rise should be understood and the contributions of artists from different generations. Daesung's remark has brought those differing perspectives back into focus, with fans continuing to debate the meaning of "paved the way" in the context of BIGBANG and BTS.