In a special interview on New Year's Day 2025 with the media, interviewer Hanako Montgomery asked the veteran idol: "You and Big Bang were really the pioneers in making K-pop a global phenomenon. How do you feel now, looking at how K-pop has really taken the world by storm?"
Taeyang replied, "Thankfully, we were able to open the door to the global market for many K-pop groups that came after us, and they were able to perform on world-famous stages. I wouldn't say we were the pioneers in that, but it's great to see that our efforts contributed to that."
This statement caused Taeyang to receive many mixed reactions from the online community. He is facing criticism, mostly from BTS fans.
As comments defending BTS flooded Taeyang's social media posts, Big Bang fans voiced their support for Taeyang in response; the situation is getting more tense.
In other news, Taeyang also used the recent interview as an opportunity to hint at a possible Big Bang reunion and activities for their upcoming 20th anniversary in 2026.
Meanwhile, Korean netizens expressed surprise at the international fans' reaction to Taeyang's interview: "Although I'm not a fan of either group, I know that BTS fans overseas hate Big Bang" - viewers commented.
