The New York Times recently made a statement that has music fans everywhere discussing the legacy of BTS. In an opinion piece about the K-pop group’s decision to step away from the Grammy Awards, the newspaper described BTS as “possibly the biggest act in the world since Jackson.” This comparison to the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, has created a wave of reactions across social media and entertainment circles.
The article, written by Dan Charnas, a professor at the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at New York University, appeared on August 9, 2026. It discussed BTS‘s choice to pull their album “Arirang” from Grammy consideration. The group made this decision to protest the Recording Academy’s new “Best Asian Pop Performance” category. BTS stated they want music to be “heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided into region or language”.
The professor supported the group’s stance, writing that the Recording Academy should stop creating award categories based on race, nationality, or language. He pointed out that the Academy has grown from 28 categories in 1959 to 100 today, and much of this increase comes from separating artists into different boxes.
The Exact Words That Started the Conversation
The specific line from the New York Times that caught everyone’s attention reads: “But BTS, possibly the biggest act in the world since Jackson, is perhaps the only Korean recording act with the freedom and leverage to spark a reckoning”.
This statement carries significant weight coming from one of the most respected newspapers in the world. The Times acknowledged that BTS has reached a level of global influence that compares to the legendary Michael Jackson. The article also noted that every artist, whether BTS or Bad Bunny, deserves access to the largest market without being filtered out.
Why the Comparison Makes Sense to Many
BTS has built an impressive list of achievements that support this comparison. Their fifth studio album “Arirang” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 upon their return and stayed at the top for three consecutive weeks. The album also set a record for the highest first-week sales by a group in more than a decade, with 640,000 copies sold.
The group’s influence goes beyond music sales. Their recent “Arirang World Tour” has broken records across the globe. In Mexico City alone, the group played three sold-out shows at Estadio GNP Seguros on May 7, 9 and 10, 2026, with all 135,000 tickets selling out within minutes. The demand was so high that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum publicly pushed for additional concert dates after more than a million fans tried to get tickets.
The Mexico City event turned into something much bigger than a concert series. Tens of thousands of fans gathered outside the venue without tickets just to be part of the atmosphere. Roads around the stadium turned into seas of purple, and local businesses joined in BTS-themed celebrations. Reports estimated the concerts could generate nearly 1.8 billion pesos in economic impact for the city.
The defining moment came when BTS appeared alongside President Sheinbaum on the balcony of Mexico’s historic National Palace, greeting nearly 50,000 fans gathered below in the Zocalo square. International media described this as a state guest-level reception.
Social Media Reactions From Fans
The comparison has sparked strong reactions across social media platforms. Many fans, known as ARMY, have expressed pride in seeing their favorite group receive such recognition from a major publication.
One fan wrote on social media, sharing the news and celebrating the acknowledgment of BTS‘s global impact. The discussion has also included comparisons to other legendary acts. Some have noted that BTS has achieved what few artists have done in the modern era.
Other fans have pointed out that BTS has openly expressed their admiration for Michael Jackson over the years. The group has cited the King of Pop as a major influence on their music and performance style. Member Jimin named Michael Jackson as one of his early musical heroes in an interview with Rolling Stone in 2021.
The fan reactions have been largely positive. Many see the New York Times comparison as validation of what they have known for years. BTS has become a global phenomenon that transcends language and cultural barriers, much like Michael Jackson did during his career.
Mixed Opinions From Music Enthusiasts
Not everyone agrees with the comparison. Some music fans believe that comparing any artist to Michael Jackson is unfair because of his unique place in music history. They argue that Michael Jackson achieved his fame without the internet and social media, making his global reach even more impressive.
Others have noted that Michael Jackson‘s music has seen a resurgence in popularity. The biopic “Michael,” released in 2026, has become the highest-grossing biopic of all time, earning over $977 million worldwide. This renewed interest in the King of Pop’s catalog has pushed classics like “Billie Jean” and “Thriller” back onto global streaming charts.
Some online discussions have become heated. On platforms like Reddit and Lipstick Alley, users have debated whether BTS has truly reached Michael Jackson‘s level of fame. One user wrote, “Yes, BTS is very popular but no, they aren’t on MJ’s level. People need to stop these constant comparisons to MJ”.
Despite the disagreements, the fact that the New York Times made this comparison has added fuel to an ongoing conversation about BTS‘s place in music history.
The Context Behind BTS’s Grammy Decision
To understand why the New York Times made this comparison, it helps to know the full story behind BTS‘s Grammy boycott. The Recording Academy created a new “Best Asian Pop Performance” category for the 2027 Grammy Awards.
BTS viewed this as a form of segregation rather than inclusion. The group chose to withdraw their album “Arirang” from consideration entirely. Their statement read: “We hope music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided into region or language”.
The New York Times opinion piece supported this decision. The author argued that the Recording Academy has a history of creating separate categories to keep certain artists from competing in general categories. He pointed to examples like the Traditional and Contemporary Country categories being divided after Beyonce became the first Black woman to win Best Country Album.
The piece also noted that the Asian pop category was created after a major win by a song from “KPop Demon Hunters”. This pattern, the author argued, shows that the Academy uses category creation to manage which artists can compete for top awards.
BTS’s Growing Legacy
BTS has already secured their place in music history through numerous achievements. They have topped the US Billboard chart multiple times, something no other foreign act had done since Michael Jackson in 1984. The group has also won Artist of the Year at the American Music Awards for two consecutive years.
Their influence has even created economic terms. The term “BTSnomics” emerged from their tour activities. The Guardian reported that BTS‘s four sold-out shows in Las Vegas in May were estimated to generate an economic impact of around $340 million. Michael Mariano, Director of Economic Development at Tourism Economics, noted that BTS‘s North American tour has an impact comparable to, and potentially greater than, the FIFA World Cup.
Guinness World Records officially named BTS “Icons” in Pop Culture on May 17, 2026, making them the first Asian act and only music group to receive this honor.
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The Ongoing Debate
The New York Times comparison has added another chapter to the discussion about BTS‘s legacy. While some fans celebrate the recognition, others remain cautious about comparing any artist to Michael Jackson. The King of Pop’s influence on music, dance, and popular culture is undeniable, and his legacy continues to grow with new generations discovering his work.
What makes this comparison noteworthy is that it comes from a respected source like the New York Times. The newspaper’s acknowledgment of BTS‘s global impact carries weight in the music industry and beyond. Whether one agrees with the comparison or not, it reflects the reality that BTS has achieved a level of global fame that few artists have ever reached.
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