BTS has officially begun their media circuit after arriving in Los Angeles on November 14, appearing on American television shows such as Jimmy Kimmel and James Corden. Both Kimmel and Corden introduced the K-pop cuties as the “most popular” and “biggest” band in the world — much to the chagrin of One Direction fans everywhere.
Tonight on #Kimmel Colin Farrell #SacredDeer, @PattonOswalt #Annihilation, music from Bishop Briggs @ThatGirlBishop #Dream & we make young girls cry with the most popular band in the world! @BTS_twt #BTSxJimmyKimmel
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) November 16, 2017
oh.my.god james really introduced bts as ‘the biggest band in the world’…..james corden, you’re doing amazing sweetie #BTSxJamesCorden
pic.twitter.com/o0qDkEHdSX— bts: the global k-pop group (@jeonglows) November 15, 2017
Even though the British sensation has long since disbanded, there are diehard fans all around the world who took issue with the notion that any band could be bigger than their bias. In retaliation, they took to twitter to get the hashtag “#1DisStillTheBiggestBoyband” trending.
Directioners expressed their love for their favorite band alongside some disdain for their Korean counterparts.
JUST A FRIENDLY REMINDER FOR EVERYONE WHO THINKS 1D IS DEAD. GET OVER 200 AWARDS, HOLD GUINESS WORLD RECORDS, BE A BAND MEMBER AND A SOLO SINGER AT THE SAME TIME, BE SUCCESSFUL, BE YOURSELF AND THEN TALK TO ME. @ newboybandswhothinktheyrethebiggest
— rozi🌹 (@rozi_kpln) November 16, 2017
#1DisStillTheBiggestBoyband do y’all actually think a band could be bigger than 1D GDHSHHS dumb
— em (@trashwebbie) November 16, 2017
One Direction may not be active now but they are still considered as the biggest boy band due to all of the records had been broken. I have nothing against BTS I’m a also a stan I guess you could say BTS is the biggest Kpop band. #1DisStillTheBiggestBoyband
— Alex ✨ (@exol_alex) November 16, 2017
#1DisStillTheBiggestBoyband and that’s the tea pic.twitter.com/a15MNvfbY4
— just like esther (@heytomliinson) November 16, 2017
ARMYs responded in kind:
BTS hasn’t even performed at the AMAs yet, neither have they shown their full potential to USA, and already bitches feel threatened? 😂😂
#1DisStillTheBiggestBoyband— SAN loves BTS. (@JiminsWifueee95) November 16, 2017
Directioners: #1DisStillTheBiggestBoyband
ARMYs: pic.twitter.com/ziAuuBRg2a
— Little Mochi Stan 承 (@jimxchim) November 16, 2017
#1DisStillTheBiggestBoyband coming from a former directioner, i can guarantee this is false. stop whining just because artists who aren’t white are prospering, it’s embarrassing.
— 브리아나 (@cyphertres) November 17, 2017
this tag is hilarious to read through
ARMYs are literally helping to get another fandom’s tag trending bc we’re not petty and we find it hilarious
this tag would rlly thrive if 1D were still a boyband tho…
— amby (@95ztho) November 16, 2017
Ultimately, the discussion turned towards pleas for loving and accepting both groups as unique and talented bands, hoping to diffuse the fighting between Directioners and ARMYs.
One thing I don’t miss about the 1D fandom are ugly tags like this.
ANYWAYS stan both groups, each are amazing in their own way 💕(but BTS will keep you hella well fed) #1DisStillTheBiggestBoyband— rochelle💫 (@silverjiminnie) November 17, 2017
#1DisStillTheBiggestBoyband
This trend is true, but BTS is great in their own ways. Directioners and ARMYs, let’s not argue, alright? Let’s choose love, and end the violence of our hearts. 💗 How about we just treat each other as friends? That would be awesome, right? ❤️💕— Just Like A.M ✨ (@NiallFanboy) November 17, 2017
gad guys there is no need to compare ok? 1d is 1d and bts is bts, both have such great talent. comparing isn’t the right thing to do ok? #1DisStillTheBiggestBoyband
— leila 🐥 (@jaeee_twt) November 17, 2017
#1DisStillTheBiggestBoyband
Are peole really comparing BTS and 1D? Both the groups are legends stop comparing them and also stop the fanwars #stopthisdrama— Aisha (@AISHAISMOI) November 17, 2017
What do you think? Is One Direction the biggest boy band, or has BTS usurped their thrones? Let us know in the comments!
Feature Image via Twitter / (Left): love_1Dbot | (Right): MTV