They never scared the US music industry They're a niche act, but they're a niche act with a crazed support base, which is standard for K-pop acts but that's not a threat. Swift, Rodrigo, Drake, etc are not running scared of BTS releases.
Their fraudulence is in the "paving the way" narrative that people like to ascribe to them and Blackpink. They did no such thing.
You know that "Kpop categories" that the Kpop industry look forward to in the west? That was created because BTS was becoming massive that it was too hard to ignore. But instead of allowing them to compete head-on, they boxed them in and created that "kpop category" that current kpop groups look forward tor nomination.
You know those albums that are well stocked and you can buy at Target and Walmart stores, including online distributors like Amazon? It was the BTS armys who started the campaign and convinced these stores to stock up on BTS albums. With its success, they have continued to do it to include other kpop groups.
Remember the most maligned BBMA Social Artist that BTS won? Ohhhh, they were maligned, insulted and laughed at. Guess what? Kpop fandoms started twitter engagements in order to qualify for a nomination the following year. Ahhh! The sour smell of hypocrisy. Many Kpop groups even started their own twitter account right after BTS won.
Kpoppies were looking down on BTS and Army for being chart conscious. Western collabs? Western validation they say? I say, fuck them all. That's exactly what they are all doing right now and no one cries "western validation" anymore.
Don't fucking start with me regarding English releases. Truth be told, English songs have been done by other groups as well, even before BTS, but they are the only once criticized. Tell me. Why is that? Because these 3 FULL ENGLISH songs catapulted them to kingdom come. Now, releasing English songs is non event. Funny how kpoppies perception changes when it comes to their faves.
Let's not forget the Grammy submissions? After BTS got their first major nominations, kpop groups started submitting their music for grammy consideration. Can you blame them? If BTS got a grammy nod, what's to say they wouldn't get one too?
So yes, the KPOP industry closely monitors what BTS do. Why?
Because BTS PAVED THE WAY.