K-netizens debate which are the 3 top-tier boy groups of Kpop 3rd generation: BTS, EXO and who else?
Despite having won Daesang, a boy group still receives divided opinions from Korean netizens on whether or not they are on the same level as BTS and EXO.
Recently, an online user on Pann Nate asked whether the combination of EXO – BTS – Wanna One or EXO – BTS – SEVENTEEN is the Top 3 best boy groups of the 3rd generation, sparking a heated debate among Korean netizens.
Most comments agree that EXO and BTS are the two indisputable names that lead the 3rd generation boy groups.
EXO debuted in 2012. Over the last 9 years, the SM boy group has released many hits that are well received by the public such as Growl, Call Me Baby, Love Shot. BTS, who debuted a year after EXO, has achieved resounding success both domestically and internationally that even non-fans have to acknowledge.
As for the last group in the Top 3, Korean netizens are torn between Wanna One – a popular boy group but disbanded 3 years ago, and SEVENTEEN – one of the rare successful boy groups from a small company.
Most netizens believe that the trio of EXO – BTS – Wanna One is legendary because only Wanna One’s impact was on par with BTS and EXO. Despite being only a project group that came out of a survival show, Wanna One achieved admirable results in both digital and physical sales. The group also received a Daesang within their short active period. At this year’s MAMA, due to the underwhelming lineup with the absence of TWICE and BTS, Mnet brought together 10 members of Wanna One for a reunion performance.
On the other hand, netizens think that SEVENTEEN doesn’t deserve to be on this list. Not only sarcastically SEVENTEEN is a group without hits, netizens also think that the group is not an A-list star, despite the fact that the Pledis boy group has also won the prestigious Daesang award many times.
This comment sparked a heated debate on the forums. SEVENTEEN‘s fandom defends their idol by claiming that the group creates songs primarily for fans and enthusiasm, rather than following trends, and hence does not need recognition. Many others think it’s absurd that SEVENTEEN is frequently dragged into conflicts like this since fans have never stated that the group is a top boy band.
Besides the above comments, some ARMYs also expressed their displeasure when BTS‘s name was suddenly ranked on the same level as EXO, Wanna One or SEVENTEEN even though the HYBE boy group is now at a different level.
Some netizens’ comments:
- You guys consider Seventeen A-list when they have no hits, no recognition and buried under controversies? Of course it’s Exo – Bangtan – Wanna One
- To be honest, if you think about the 3rd generation, it has to be Exo – Bangtan – Wanna One..
- Seventeen is in the freaking funny tier. please don’t get them mixed up
- Is Seventeen the scapegoat nowadays?? I can understand why A-lists are called a door; Seventeen has no recognition, and they’re always ambiguous with their successes and loss
- Didn’t Seventeen’s fans themselves tell people for the past years to stop saying “Exo-Bangtan-Seventeen”?
- Huh? Even in 2017, it was all about EXO, Bangtan and Wanna One, those 3 groups were the reason why “4th dimensional wall you cannot cross” has become an expression and they made “Ex-Bang-Wan”. But Ex-Bang-Wan’s disadvantage is that Wanna One had to disband, so Carats came after the disbandment and put Seventeen in it no? Of course, I consider Seventeen amazing, they have good songs and they’re handsome, but I don’t think they’re the same level
- ㅋㅋ Seventeen are getting f*cked over for staying still
- You guys are disgusting. You’re the ones who are dragging Seventeen in the 4th generation and also dragging Seventeen for having no hit songs. Where are your bias ranked then? ㅋㅋ
- You guys are all wrong, the top 3 is BTS – BTS – BTS!
