For fans, BTS and Bang PD’s relationship has long been known to be deeper than a business relationship. Because they collaborated from a pa̾s̾sion for music, nurtured a common dream for more than a decade, and now taste the fruits of becoming the top Kpop artists and the mighty HYBE empire.

From a small agency idol group and a producer with huge debt, the 7 boys and Bang Shi Hyuk made history by breaking many records in K-pop and the world. When talking about the successes he has experienced with BTS, Bang PD affirmed that he cannot create a second BTS. But besides that, he still nurtures the belief that HYBE artists will be able to create a second BTS. so the next successes like BTS did.

Here’s what Bang PD had to say about BTS in his latest interview with Billboard magazine:

Earlier this year, Bang Shi Hyuk and HYBE seemed to be the center of attention when revolving around the story of taking ownership of SM after buying shares of the previous CEO of SM, Lee Soo Man. Until now, that story has received a lot of attention even though Bang PD has stopped pursuing the power grab of one of these top kσrєαn entertainment companies.

In Bang PD’s latest interview for Billboard magazine, he gave a straightforward answer that acquiring SM took a lot of his effort. But besides that, Bang PD also got a great financial bargain as well as a much richer offer from Kakao.

Meanwhile, the interviewer also pointed out to Bang PD the fact that in recent years Kpop has shown many signs of a decline in influence and success. Specifically, South kσrєα’s music exports to Southeast Asia – one of K-pop’s most important markets – fell by 30% in 2022, and in Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous country, the market share of K-pop on Spotify’s chart dropped 28%.

In front of this question, Bang Shi Hyuk admitted that: “The fact that BTS is currently not active has an impact. When you look at the surveys regarding awareness, when you compare K-pop’s penetration and BTS’ penetration in the global market, BTS tends to have more penetration than K-pop itself”.

Of course, Bang PD’s answer is completely grounded when looking at the achievements on the Billboard chart. In fact, of the 17 K-pop songs that entered the Billboard Hot 100 in 2020, all 13, except for 4 songs by BLACKPINK, belong to BTS. In 2021, 5 out of 9 songs are BTS songs. In 2022, 11 of the 13 songs are songs by BTS members.

However, since the time BTS began to cease activities, this achievement is no longer maintained, the number of songs entering the Billboard Hot 100 has decreased significantly. This year, other K-pop groups like New Jeans, Fifty Fifty, and TWICE also had songs that ḧïẗ the charts but didn’t top. However, 2 of the 6 songs that reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 still belong to BTS members Jimin and j-hope. Even those 2 songs also brought the highest position compared to the other 4 songs.

Based on this, Bang PD also has a premise for his next interview question. When he was asked: “Can you replicate the global success of BTS, given that no other K-pop act has come close so far?”

The CEO has no trouble giving the answer: “If your question is about the possibility of creating an artist like BTS again, the answer is no. However, if you were to ask whether there would be a K-pop artist from HYBE that tops the Billboard Hot 100 chart, my answer would be yes. [Jimin became the first BTS member to achieve this as a solo act on April 3 when his single “Like Crazy” debuted at No. 1.]

The experience of managing BTS and operating different labels gave us access to powerful networks, infrastructures and experiences. With these, HYBE can repeat its remarkable results with the help of talented artists.”

That’s a perfect conclusion! There’s no denying that BTS has paved the way and so K-pop in general and HYBE artists have the edge to break into the US charts and create the next generation of K-pop success. But to create a group that maintains an undefeated record, sets all records and has a global influence like BTS is difficult and even impossible.

Meanwhile, Billboard also stated that Bang Shi Hyuk has made history with only one group – BTS, the boy group that has conquered aud̾i̾e ̾nces around the world with talking numbers. So, other artists under his management, can create the same success as BTS once had, but no group can be the second BTS.

This is also said to be like the relationship between Bang PD and BTS, it’s more than the relationship between CEO and artist. Bang Shi Hyuk shared, “It goes the same for all artists under HYBE labels in kσrєα. Other than BTS, who have shared a lot of intimate memories with me ever since they were young, I only sit down or meet artists upon their requests since all of them have a strong, trusting relationship with the leaders of each respective label.”

From the details in Bang Shi Hyuk’s interview, not only fans but also non-fans acknowledge that BTS is unique:

– Definitely. BTS….at the perfect time at the perfect place, with the perfect members and perfect talents. Plus love, respect and care with one another.

– I love him so much he’s so good to them

– I m sry but I don’t even see anyone rn topping charts except BTS n bts members in nearby years

– “another k-pop artist from hybe that tops the Billboard chart” and said artist is jimin who is a member of BTS so where do we go from here

– there is no next bts.

– yess this what not like bts ever… bt that doesnt mean he would not make successful artist… i can trust him with my eyes close.. honestly.

– so proud of HYBE family, they are so talented

– LOUDER FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK

– i knew bang pd would come through!

– You can’t pave a way that’s already paved

– Absolutely no next the great Bangtan Sonyeondan