The Statement "Since PSY" Sparks Controversy — The True Nature of the 'Erasing BTS' Debate Surrounding Bruno × Rosé

photo : slgckgc / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0

"The shock since PSY"—that single phrase ignited a debate over the "memory" in K-POP history.

The controversy began when an interview with Bruno Mars discussing his song "APT." with BLACKPINK's Rosé spread widely. Bruno reportedly compared the impact of "APT." to the global viral hit of PSY's "Gangnam Style" in 2012, expressing enjoyment in witnessing Rosé's presence reaching "unknown people." Music Mundial

"APT." itself was released as a collaboration between Rosé and Bruno, and is a work widely listened to globally. Sportskeeda

However, this metaphor of "since Gangnam Style" unexpectedly provoked strong backlash on social media. The core of the anger was the perceived omission of BTS from the narrative. The phrasing "PSY→(blank)→Rosé" was seen by many as erasing the global influence BTS had built, leading to widespread reactions. Some of the posts that spread included headlines suggesting, "The erasure of BTS's impact has become normalized," further fueling the debate. Koreaboo

Why the uproar: The issue is not "who paved the way" but the "omission in the narrative"

This kind of controversy might seem like a simple comparison of "who is greater," but it's actually more complex. The overseas penetration of K-POP includes viral phenomena like PSY's "Gangnam Style" and long-term models like BTS's chart success, tours, and fandom expansion. In other words, the forms of success differ.

Therefore, even if Bruno's statement was about his "personal experience" (i.e., how people around him are currently reacting), listeners might hear it as a "summary of history." Especially since BTS is often cited as a symbol of "K-POP finding a place in the mainstream," omitting that context can appear as "intentional disregard." Koreaboo

On the other hand, supporters argue, "The phrase 'since PSY' is likely a metaphor rather than a rigorous statement organizing the entire history of K-POP," and "Bruno is talking about 'a kind of enthusiasm he saw for the first time,' not denying BTS." In other words, it's a matter of "misinterpretation" or "precision of words."

The difficulty in resolving this discrepancy lies in the long-standing axis of conflict between fandoms—the so-called "paved the way" debate. Every time someone is praised, arguments arise like "It's thanks to the predecessors" or "It's due to their own efforts," eventually leading to a struggle over "ownership of history." This incident is an extension of that. KpopTop

Social Media Reactions: Divided into Three Main Voices

The social media reactions this time can be broadly categorized into three types.

1) "Don't Skip BTS's Achievements" Group (Criticism)
The most widely spread criticism was that it seemed unnatural to treat Rosé as the "first" after PSY, ignoring the recognition and market expansion BTS has built. Some even view it as a structural issue, saying, "The industry has become too accustomed to downplaying BTS's influence." Koreaboo

2) "Isn't This Nitpicking?" Group (Support/Neutral)
Conversely, some voices calmly argue, "The metaphor is being taken too literally," or "If it's about 'the enthusiasm he personally experienced,' it makes sense." Music interviews tend to prioritize impressions over analysis, and jumping to label them as "historical revision" is an overreach. Music Mundial

3) "Talking About 'Thanks to Someone' Is Disrespectful" Group (Fatigue/Backlash)
Another group distances themselves from the fandom debate, saying, "It's disrespectful to link someone's success to the achievements of a third party," and "It should be seen as the accomplishments of Rosé and Bruno themselves." Given the repeated clashes of similar structures in the past, it's natural for some to react with weariness. KpopTop

"Since PSY" Was a Dangerous Shortcut

What this controversy reveals is "the danger of a short metaphor skipping over a vast history."

The globalization of K-POP is not a single line but consists of multiple waves. PSY pried open the "entrance," BTS made "settling" possible, and BLACKPINK, solo artists, and major collaborations with overseas stars continue the "expansion"—it's this overlap that creates the present. Saying "since PSY" can understandably provoke a reflexive backlash from those who lived through the "10 years in between" (especially fandoms).

However, it's a waste to dismiss this uproar as merely "an issue of careless wording." This is because it touches on the power structures of pop culture, such as "who should be recognized" and "whose stories are more easily told." Koreaboo

Ultimately, what's needed is not to create a "single hero's tale," but to narrate multiple models of success. The viral success of PSY, the sustained penetration by BTS, and the new enthusiasm generated by the Rosé×Bruno collaboration—all of these "could have happened." Whether we can articulate all of this carefully is what questions the maturity of current K-POP reporting and social media.