NBC’s Saturday Night Live (SNL) celebrated its 50th anniversary with a grand special on Sunday, February 16. The three-hour event, SNL50: The Anniversary Celebration, aired in a rare Sunday slot, bringing together a star-studded lineup of former cast members, legendary hosts, and musical guests who have graced the stage over the decades. Amidst nostalgic tributes and iconic moments, K-pop fans were in for an unexpected yet thrilling surprise. During a montage highlighting the show’s musical legacy, BTS made a brief appearance in a two-to-three-second clip. While short, the moment instantly made waves online, reaffirming the group’s historic place in SNL’s celebrated roster of performers. BTS was included in the clip of Saturday Night Live 50 Years #SNL50 ??! They are the ???????????????????? ???????????? ???????????????? ????-???????????? ???????????? that has performed on SNL, being invited in 2019. Their performance dominated social media all weekend and sparked a conversation about the historic… pic.twitter.com/6NzjxpKR6B — The BTS Legacy (@thebtslegacy) February 17, 2025 BTS first appeared on SNL in April 2019, making history as the first and only K-pop group to perform on the show. At the time, the group was at the peak of their global success, and their appearance was one of the most highly anticipated musical debuts in the show’s history. BTS took the stage as the night’s musical guests, delivering two electrifying performances: the live debut of Boy With Luv and a powerful rendition of MIC Drop (Remix). Their performance wasn’t just another television appearance—it was a cultural moment that showcased K-pop’s growing global influence. The septet’s presence on SNL dominated social media, went viral across platforms, and made international headlines. Fans celebrated the milestone, recognising it as a turning point for the genre’s mainstream recognition in Western media. Now, nearly six years later, BTS’ inclusion in SNL’s anniversary special has reignited excitement among ARMYs. Despite their ongoing military enlistments, the brief clip served as a reminder of their enduring legacy and impact. Fans flooded social media with reactions, calling the moment ‘iconic’ and praising SNL for acknowledging BTS’ significance in the show’s history. Many expressed nostalgia over their legendary 2019 performance and anticipation for the group’s eventual return to the global stage. Even in their absence from Western entertainment, BTS continues to be recognised on a global scale, proving their influence remains unmatched.