ATEEZ member San has become the centre of an online debate after his recent comments praising BLACKPINK sparked mixed reactions among K-pop fans.
What appeared to be a sincere expression of appreciation for the senior girl group quickly turned into a wider fandom discussion, with some netizens bringing up his previous remarks about BTS and questioning whether his statements were contradictory.
The controversy began following San and fellow ATEEZ member Wooyoung’s appearance alongside BLACKPINK’s Jisoo on the Korean variety show “Please Take Care of My Refrigerator.”
The appearance attracted attention even before the episode’s discussion gained traction, as Jisoo, San, and Wooyoung had also participated in the “ADDICTED” dance challenge.
During the show, San spoke about BLACKPINK’s influence on the global music industry and expressed his gratitude towards the group for the opportunities they helped create for younger artists.
However, the particular phrase he used soon became a talking point across social media platforms.
San Praises BLACKPINK for Paving the Way for Younger Artists
While discussing BLACKPINK, San described the group as artists whom ATEEZ had always wanted to meet.
He acknowledged their achievements and highlighted the barriers they had broken while expanding K-pop’s presence internationally.
San said,
“BLACKPINK sunbaenim are artists we’ve really wanted to meet.
They paved the way for us, breaking through barriers at the forefront.
Overseas and globally, they were pioneers for us. So, from our perspective, we’re really grateful to them.”
His statement was intended as an expression of respect towards BLACKPINK and their contribution to the international popularity of K-pop.
However, the phrase “paved the way” attracted considerable attention because of its long-standing association with discussions about the achievements of different K-pop groups.
Following the clip’s circulation online, some users began criticising BLACKPINK rather than focusing on San’s message.
One social media user responded with the remark, “Paved the way for mediocrity,” while another posted a sarcastic comment questioning the group’s influence.
The discussion soon moved beyond BLACKPINK’s achievements, with several users bringing BTS into the conversation.
Some fans argued over which group deserved recognition for helping K-pop reach a wider international audience, turning what began as a compliment into another fandom disagreement.
San’s Previous BTS Comments Resurface as Fans Debate His Statement
The backlash intensified when social media users recalled San’s earlier comments about BTS.
In a previous live broadcast, the ATEEZ member had praised the boy group for creating opportunities for younger K-pop artists.
His earlier statement included the words,
“BTS paved such a smooth road for us juniors, so we can walk more comfortably.”
After the two statements began circulating together, some users accused San of being hypocritical for using similar expressions while praising both groups. One critic wrote,
“He said ‘BTS paved the way’ on his own live, and now he’s buttering up Jisoo by saying BLACKPINK. HAHAHA, what hypocrites! pick a side.”
Another user questioned why San was being criticised for acknowledging BLACKPINK after previously expressing admiration for BTS.
The contrasting reactions highlighted how the phrase had become a point of disagreement among different fandoms.
However, many fans came to San’s defence, arguing that appreciating BTS and BLACKPINK does not have to be mutually exclusive.
They pointed out that both groups have made significant contributions to K-pop’s international growth and that an artist can acknowledge the influence of multiple senior acts without comparing them.
The discussion also attracted comparisons involving other K-pop artists, with some users bringing up TWICE member Jihyo’s previous praise of BTS. This further expanded the debate beyond San’s original comments.
Despite the criticism, San’s statement itself was a clear expression of gratitude towards BLACKPINK.
There is no indication that he intended to diminish BTS’s achievements or create a comparison between the two groups.
As the discussion continues, the incident once again demonstrates how comments made by K-pop idols can become the subject of intense online interpretation.
While some fans remain divided over the wording, others believe artists should be able to recognise the contributions of different senior groups without being pressured to choose sides.
