South Korea is set to invest 5 trillion won in a groundbreaking initiative aimed at discovering the ‘New BTS‘ and the ‘second Parasite’. The South Korean government plans to establish a ‘K Content Cultural Complex’ to nurture the next wave of K-Pop and film talents, continuing the country’s cultural and economic growth spurred by its entertainment industry. The complex is slated to become a K-Content landmark by 2035.
Government’s Ambitious Initiative
The South Korean government, recognizing the global impact of BTS and the film Parasite, is keen to support the development of new talents in the entertainment sector. This initiative, spearheaded by the First Vice Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, Jeon Byeong Geuk, aims to back the entire cycle of musician development. The government plans to provide support to small and medium-sized agencies to discover and nurture the next global sensation akin to BTS. The goal is not only to replicate BTS’s success but also to achieve a content export target of $25 billion (around 34.5 trillion won) by 2027.
However, the Vice Minister’s remarks about finding the ‘New BTS’ have sparked a heated debate. While some fans (ARMYs) expressed outrage, feeling that the comment diminishes the efforts of current K-Pop groups, others viewed it as an insult to active K-Pop bands. Many netizens feel that comparing new talents to BTS sets an unrealistic standard, implying that no matter how successful current groups become, they will always be seen as falling short of BTS’s legacy.
Netizens React to Government’s Vision
The government’s initiative to discover the ‘New BTS’ has been met with mixed reactions online. One user commented, “At this point, they are obsessed with finding the next BTS. There is no next BTS!!”. Another added, “The fact they are still looking for the next BTS is a slap to the active K-Pop groups because you are basically telling them that they failed to reach the ‘BTS Standard’ and no matter what they do, it will never be good enough for the higher ups and govt.”
This isn’t the first time the concept of discovering the ‘Next BTS’ has been discussed. In 2020, during a press conference, BTS members Jin and Jimin addressed a similar question, emphasizing the importance of forging their own paths rather than following in the footsteps of others. They expressed the belief that new artists should believe in themselves and carve out their own unique journeys.
As South Korea aims to become one of the four global powerhouses in content creation, the ‘K Content Cultural Complex’ represents a significant step towards sustaining and expanding the country’s influence in the global entertainment industry. While the ambition to discover the ‘New BTS’ remains controversial, it underscores the immense impact BTS has had and continues to have on the global stage.