Poll: Who is more legendary BIGBANG or BTS overall ?

  • Poll: Who is more legendary BIGBANG or BTS overall ? 64

    1. BTS (45) 70%
    2. BIGBANG (19) 30%

    I'm curious about what allkpop members think about this. this question isn't about right or wrong, it's asked to understand the perspectives of kpop listeners.


    edit: Ok, for obvious reasons, shout out to Water_oWl for this poll.

  • Look at yama who is obsessed with billboard charts not caring about them atm. Or he simply cares more about korea, like always.


    Anyways, bts for obvious reasons.

    Some people, including myself, don’t diminish their success abroad. However, instead of the perception of kpop as a niche genre internationally, we think the cultural proximity and the naturally strong influence of K-pop in Korea make the Korean public’s view more important for achieving legendary status. Like I said, there’s no need for an objective conclusion just different viewpoints.

  • Some people, including myself, don’t diminish their success abroad. However, instead of the perception of kpop as a niche genre internationally, we think the cultural proximity and the naturally strong influence of K-pop in Korea make the Korean public’s view more important for achieving legendary status. Like I said, there’s no need for an objective conclusion just different viewpoints.

    What are Big Bang's cultural achievements compared to BTS' ?


    Remove charts. Cause people diminish bts' influence and impact all the same.

  • Some people, including myself, don’t diminish their success abroad. However, instead of the perception of kpop as a niche genre internationally, we think the cultural proximity and the naturally strong influence of K-pop in Korea make the Korean public’s view more important for achieving legendary status. Like I said, there’s no need for an objective conclusion just different viewpoints.

    Both you and yama focus only on korean market. If this is only about Korea then fine. But that's not overall. Bb having bigger global impact than bts? That's obviously not true.

  • What are Big Bang's cultural achievements compared to BTS' ?


    Remove charts. Cause people diminish bts' influence and impact all the same.

    there were so many that I didn’t know where to start, and since I didn’t have much time, I asked ChatGPT.


    Big Bang is one of the most influential K-pop groups in South Korea, with significant cultural achievements including:

    1. Pioneering the K-pop “idol” model with artistry and self-production: Unlike many groups that relied heavily on producers, Big Bang members, especially G-Dragon and T.O.P, were deeply involved in songwriting, composing, and producing their own music. This helped elevate the role of idols as artists.

    2. Shaping the hip-hop and EDM scene in Korea: They brought hip-hop, electronic dance music, and experimental sounds into mainstream K-pop, influencing many younger artists and diversifying the genre.

    3. Fashion icons and trendsetters: Big Bang members are renowned for their bold and influential fashion styles, often setting trends in Korea and across Asia, making them style icons beyond music.

    4. Globalizing K-pop: They were among the first K-pop groups to achieve significant international success, especially in Japan, the US, and other parts of Asia, paving the way for the Korean Wave (Hallyu) to spread worldwide.

    5. Long-lasting popularity and fandom: Big Bang maintained a huge fanbase over more than a decade, showing remarkable staying power in a fast-changing industry.

    6. Awards and records: They have won numerous awards domestically and internationally, breaking sales and streaming records and setting new standards for K-pop groups.

    7. Cultural influence beyond music: Their impact extends to Korean youth culture, fashion, and even language, with their songs and style influencing generations.

    7. Cultural Influence Beyond Music — Expanded

    a) Fashion and Style Icons

    • Big Bang members, especially G-Dragon, are seen as trendsetters in Korea and across Asia’s youth culture.

    • Their bold fashion choices—from streetwear to luxury brands, androgynous styles to colorful, daring outfits—have made them fashion icons.

    • G-Dragon’s participation in fashion shows in Paris, Milan, and New York helped bring Korean pop culture into the global fashion spotlight.

    • This influence has empowered Korean youth to embrace self-expression and individuality through fashion.

    b) Impact on Language and Street Culture

    • Slang, expressions, and fashion terms from Big Bang’s songs have seeped into everyday language among young people.

    • Their strong social media presence contributed to shaping new forms of youth communication.

    • They helped popularize concepts like “swagger” within Korean youth culture.

    c) Social Impact on Korean Youth

    • Big Bang inspired young people to express themselves freely and take individual stances against societal norms.

    • Their originality in music and style popularized the theme of “having the courage to be different.”

    • This encouraged a shift away from Korea’s traditional culture of conformity toward a more individualistic and freedom-oriented mindset.

    d) Reflections in Media and Popular Culture

    • Members frequently appeared in TV shows, fashion magazines, advertising campaigns, and art projects.

    • They expanded the “multi-talented artist” model by branching into acting, fashion design, and more.

    • Big Bang helped broaden the definition of idols in Korea’s entertainment industry.

    e) Globalizing Korean Identity and the Hallyu Wave

    • Big Bang played a crucial role not only musically but also in promoting Korean culture worldwide.

    • As interest in Korea grew in Asia and the West, groups like Big Bang shaped global perceptions of Korea.

    • This strengthened Korea’s international image and contributed economically through cultural exports.

    In summary, Big Bang’s cultural impact extends well beyond music into fashion, language, youth culture, media, and national identity, playing a key role in shaping contemporary Korean culture.


  • Both you and yama focus only on korean market. If this is only about Korea then fine. But that's not overall. Bb having bigger global impact than bts? That's obviously not true.

    Most people already think like you, if you ask anyone outside of Koreans, ı think 80% would say BTS in this poll. So you can relax. Let’s see what allkpop users think and see whether the Korean perspective or the viewpoint of kpop fans outside Korea stands out more.



  • Well first of all, thanks for actually answering my question. Imma give you a chatGPT answer too to make it fair.


    BTS (Bangtan Sonyeondan or Beyond The Scene) has had a massive cultural and musical influence globally. Their impact goes far beyond K-pop, affecting everything from music trends to mental health awareness, fashion, social movements, and even diplomacy. Here's a breakdown of their influence:



    ---


    🎵 Musical Influence


    1. Globalization of K-pop


    BTS helped pioneer K-pop’s global expansion, especially in Western markets.


    They were the first Korean group to top the Billboard Hot 100 and perform at major U.S. awards shows like the Grammys and AMAs.




    2. Genre Fusion


    BTS blends hip-hop, R&B, EDM, rock, pop, and even traditional Korean sounds.


    Their producers (like Pdogg) and RM, SUGA, and J-Hope (as in-house songwriters) created a distinct BTS sound that's now emulated in K-pop.




    3. Lyrical Depth


    Unlike most idol music, BTS addresses topics like:


    Mental health (“The Last,” “Blue & Grey”)


    Self-love (Love Yourself series)


    Societal pressures (“N.O”, “Baepsae”)



    Their lyrics inspired a shift in K-pop to tackle more personal and relatable themes.




    4. DIY Music Approach


    Members are heavily involved in writing, producing, and directing their music/videos.


    This hands-on method influenced many newer K-pop groups to adopt similar creative control.




    5. Album Concepts & Storytelling


    BTS uses conceptual storytelling across albums (e.g. The HYYH series about youth and growing pains).


    They popularized conceptual “eras” in K-pop, blending music, visuals, and narratives.






    ---


    🌍 Cultural Influence


    1. Korean Culture Ambassadors


    Promoted Korean language, fashion, food, and traditions.


    Sparked global interest in learning Korean (e.g. “Learn Korean with BTS” series).


    Traditional elements in performances (e.g. 2020 MMA “ON” stage with Korean instruments) brought Korean heritage to global stages.




    2. Fashion Icons


    Collaborated with Louis Vuitton, Dior, and other designers.


    Known for fluid fashion, often challenging gender norms with androgynous and expressive styling.




    3. Mental Health Advocacy


    Openly discuss struggles with anxiety, depression, and burnout.


    Campaigns like “Love Myself” with UNICEF raised millions for ending violence against children and teens.




    4. Social Impact & Philanthropy


    Donated to BLM, education causes, disaster relief.


    Often spotlight marginalized voices, empowering youth through self-love and expression.




    5. Political & Diplomatic Influence


    Spoke at the United Nations General Assembly multiple times.


    Appointed as Special Presidential Envoys for Future Generations and Culture by South Korea’s president in 2021.


    Met with U.S. President Joe Biden to discuss anti-Asian hate and inclusion.






    ---


    💡 Industry Influence


    1. Redefined Idol Image


    Moved away from “manufactured” idol stereotypes to authenticity, vulnerability, and social awareness.




    2. Digital Pioneers


    Leveraged social media (especially Twitter, V LIVE, and Weverse) to grow an organic, loyal fanbase without relying on traditional Western media.


    Paved the way for fan-driven marketing models and non-English music to top global charts.




    3. ARMY Culture


    Their fanbase, ARMY, is known for being highly organized, socially conscious, and powerful online.


    Helped democratize music fandoms and created a new model for artist-fan relationships.




    4. Chart Success & Record-Breaking


    First Asian group to sell out Wembley Stadium.


    Multiple Guinness World Records for streaming, sales, and online engagement.


    Opened doors for other Korean and Asian artists in international spaces.






    ---


    🧠 Academic & Cultural Studies


    BTS has become a subject of university courses, dissertations, and research papers.


    Their artistry, fan culture, and global reach are studied in sociology, media, and pop culture studies.




    ---


    Summary


    BTS’ influence can be summed up as a cultural phenomenon that broke barriers—musical, linguistic, racial, and generational. They’ve inspired a generation to speak up, love themselves, and challenge norms—while rewriting the rulebook for what it means to be a global pop artist.

  • Alright then, which group has a greater cultural impact in everyday life: Big Bang’s cultural dominance in Korea, or BTS’s international but mostly niche cultural influence? Of course, BTS also has significant cultural impact in Korea, but when it comes to influencing multiple generations, inspiring people, and continuing to maintain a cultural presence among the public, isn’t Big Bang more effective? For example, will an American ARMY be able to pass down BTS’s cultural influence to their children 10 or 20 years from now? Because that’s exactly what applies to Big Bang.


  • Are you for real ?

    It was obviously a question so that I can receive an unbiased answer.


    It's better if the fans of big bang tell me about big bang because my own opinion of them is obviously biased.. just as you are here arguing that big bang is more culturally significant than BTS in big 2025. :skull: it was for a fair comparison. :skull:


    It just went over your head didn't it?

  • I'm not the one who came in here questioning other users' selections. Feel free to choose BTS.


    For me, Big Bang and SNSD are the most influential groups in K-Pop history.

  • Alright then, which group has a greater cultural impact in everyday life: Big Bang’s cultural dominance in Korea, or BTS’s international but mostly niche cultural influence? Of course, BTS also has significant cultural impact in Korea, but when it comes to influencing multiple generations, inspiring people, and continuing to maintain a cultural presence among the public, isn’t Big Bang more effective? For example, will an American ARMY be able to pass down BTS’s cultural influence to their children 10 or 20 years from now? Because that’s exactly what applies to Big Bang.



    My reason for asking is the fact that culturally, BTS is obviously downplayed to give big bang a boost.


    American army's are not the ones passing down anything in Korea. Does BTS not have Korean fans? Lol. Is BTS not on the News? Is BTS not in literature? Are they not in the Youth Culture Museum?


    You see, it's downplayed.


    My issue with this discourse is the fact that it is 2025. What ifs and buts don't work. Like this discourse has been here since BTS was just blowing up in the states.


    Years ago you could argue otherwise.


    In fact, years ago kpop stans called BTS a trend. The discourse was that Big bang was more legendary because the west will forget BTS. This ain't the past, it's the present. This is 2025, BTS has amassed more cultural achievements than big bang... even achieving diplomatic passports and the order of cultural merit. Like, to me, the answer is obvious but whatever.

  • I mean... Is this even a question?

    BTS reunion announcement flodded the news, in every continent, in different languages...

    NO GROUP is even half as relevant as them


    Grasping at straws is not going to change reality, although it is always amusing to see...

    :pepe-popcorn:

  • I guess I couldn’t express myself clearly. What I meant wasn’t that BTS isn’t influential in 2025, but rather that even while BTS is still active, in my opinion, they still haven’t overshadowed BigBang’s impact. I’m fully aware of BTS’s achievements and influence what I’m focusing on is simply making a comparison, that’s all.


  • I’m not going to downplay BigBang’s home turf or international cultural impact. They were huge, they continue to be legendary, and their achievements at that time stand alone on their own terms. Also, they were a significant influence on several BTS members, as referenced many times across many different sources.


    However, BTS’ global dominance across over a decade clearly surpasses that. It doesn’t even feel like an argument to be had in my mind - and people who try pretend that they are not massively impactful on their home turf are pretty bloody blinkered, I would suggest.

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