Netizens divided over BTS RM's candid remarks about HYBE in recent group livestream

Netizens are reacting to BTS RM's recent comments about HYBE Labels.

On an online forum, netizens discussed the BTS leader's candid remarks regarding his critical thoughts about his label, led by Bang Si Hyuk, which were shared during the group’s highly anticipated full group livestream with fans. During the livestream, RM commented that he wished the company "had some affection" for them.

While member Jin offered a mild defense of the company, RM continued honestly, saying, "I don't usually say things like this, right? I just don't know. I wish they would look after us and treat us with more care."

Previously, RM had also spoken about BTS' comeback delay and its announcement, expressing frustration toward the company. He further mentioned that he could not "tell you everything" about his inactivity during the second half of 2025, explaining that he does not "have the right to say it."

In light of these remarks, netizens largely reacted with speculation and anticipation, suggesting that RM may be "possibly thinking of ending things" with HYBE and that the company itself "may also be preparing."

Some netizens speculated that there could be "frustration regarding the division of profits" or ongoing "miscommunication between the artists and the company," pointing to delays and uncertainty not only around their album comeback but also surrounding activities such as fan meetings and other potential events.

If some netizens’ speculation about contract discontinuation proves true, one commenter suggested that BTS could move toward a "BLACKPINK-like situation," in which members pursue individual solo activities outside of HYBE through their own companies while continuing group promotions under HYBE.

Meanwhile, many also questioned "why RM is making these comments during a livestream with fans," addressing his seemingly good relationship with Bang Si Hyuk and raising points such as: "Weren't they inactive since there were some individual member controversies?" and "Doesn't RM himself have any power to make decisions or the ability to lead projects more proactively?"

Along these lines, some netizens expressed discomfort and confusion over RM’s comments, wondering "why he is saying it to the fans during a livestream and not more directly to the company." At the same time, many defended RM, resulting in a clear split in opinions among netizens.

Reactions include:

"But seriously, didn’t they not come back because the members kept getting into incidentsㅋㅋㅋㅋ"

"I feel like he could say it that way. We’ll probably find out what really happened later. Looking at how HYBE operates, BTS doesn’t seem to have that kind of overwhelming influence."

"But then again, if it’s not a third party but someone actually inside the company who felt that way, maybe that’s possible too. It is kind of lame that he didn’t say it directly to the company and brought it up on a livestream instead."

"He was at an event with the chairman not long ago, so why didn’t he say it there? According to that person’s words, you’re the group they made because of you. And the members with drinking issues and other problems talk way too much. The leader should manage that better."

"Isn’t he speaking up because the company isn’t responding at all? Feels like it’s time for HYBE to split up again."

"Why is he tattling to the fans about this…?"

"If the members just stopped taking turns causing scandals, that would solve it."

"If you’re unhappy with the company, say it directly to the company. Why act like this on a livestream?"

"It doesn’t even seem like a big deal, but they’re getting dragged like crazy."

"At this point, BTS has to be the top of the top at HYBE, so I don’t really get why he’d say something like that. Isn’t saying that on a livestream basically power tripping over the staff instead? This isn’t the responsible leader image of Namjoon that I knew. Honestly, it’s worrying to the point where it feels like something’s wrong mentally. Issues with the company should be worked out with the company, not complained about like this. Does he not see the members constantly causing trouble? Why keep dumping resentment onto the fans?"

"You have to wonder how bad it must be for him to say that."

"Yeah, exactly. They haven’t properly promoted for almost four years, right? Even after discharge, they’ve basically been shelved for almost half a year, which just means there’s no plan. It looks like the BigHit label is all in on rookie Cortis, and BTS got pushed back. At this point, it feels like they’re not going to release anything until the fandom dies out. Not even filing lawsuits and just letting baseless rumors spread is honestly the worst."

"It’s not even something he shouldn’t say. Senior idols trash their companies all the time and get called refreshing. If fans agree, then that’s valid. Who do you think you are? HYBE must be happy with all these free defenders. It’s absurd."

"When BTS were in the military, the company said everything was prepared. Then when they were discharged and came back clearly in shape, I thought something would drop right away. Watching them waste half a year made me think, what is this company even doing?"

"If it’s BTS, they could just start their own company, right?? Let’s leave."

"RM wasn’t dumping resentment. The comments getting torn apart on theqoo hot board are the ones dumping resentmentㅋㅋ Not rookies, and they make an insane amount of money for the company, but they’re not even allowed to say that much? Why is everyone trying to silence him?"

"There are tons of idols who publicly bash their companies. Why can’t RM? This is insanely ridiculous. When people hate HYBE, they go crazy about it, but suddenly everyone’s taking HYBE’s side."

"Isn’t RM in a position where he could be more proactive if he wanted to? I kind of think he should have done something himself before saying this publicly."

"Why not communicate directly with the company instead of doing this on a broadcast everyone can see? It feels staged. Since a lot of criticism has been aimed at them lately, it feels like they’re redirecting it toward the companyㅋㅋㅋ"

"If things get noisy internally, you create a common external enemy, huh."

"Jin was watching the staff’s reaction and then made a defending comment, which was hilarious. Even V was being cautious at the end."

"Please come back with good music and great stages~~~"

"If you have complaints, take them directly to the company. Communication between company and artist is way easier than with fans. What are fans supposed to do? That’s why people say it feels like dumping resentment on fans when he does this on a livestream."

"Why is everyone so desperate to tear this apart?? You could just shrug it off."

"Albums aside, the fact that there hasn’t even been a single fan meeting makes the planning feel weird, and it does seem like the company has been hands off."

"I honestly don’t see it as dumping resentment, but it feels like there are way too many people projecting their anger and insisting it must be that. Is this really something to get this worked up over?"

"Are they deciding to part ways?"

"Um, how many major social scandals have BTS already been in the meantime?"

"Why is he taking the bullet during a livestream?"

"RM, you personally renewed your contracts, you personally caused incidents, and you should have enough seniority to speak directly within the company. So why, like amateurs, go to fans who are just consumers? Are you not even going to the office?"

"Such a classic ‘do it for me’ mindset… You’re at that level of seniority, so try figuring things out yourselves instead of constantly whining."

"I’m an RM fan, and he’s not the type to make things up, so I assume there’s some situation behind it. He’s never criticized the company before either. And if anyone is taking that as something to project resentment onto, I hope they stop projecting themselves."

"They’ve caused that many incidents, and at this point, hasn’t the company already been pretty accommodating?"

"Doing this on a livestream where all the fans are watching was unnecessary."

"Seriously, hang in there, staff. Working in the entertainment industry must be no joke."

"The staff must feel awful. They don’t even think about cleaning up the messes they caused themselves."

"Please leave. I supporting BTS leaving HYBE."

"It's possible for him to be going through something difficult with the company ."

"Who is even ‘dumping resentment’ on the fans? Why do people keep saying thatㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Idol fans criticizing a company’s plans isn’t something special that requires resentment. On theqoo, where idol fans gather, this isn’t funny at allㅋㅋㅋ Fans have been frustrated about the lack of post discharge activities for a long time, so he’s just explaining multiple times that it’s due to company circumstances. And it’s true that BigHit hasn’t been doing anything related to BTS. People who don’t even know the situation keep blowing things up over a livestream meant for fans, and it’s honestly ridiculous."

"No matter how smart they are, idols who achieve everything while still immature really do seem clueless about the real world. If the company invested money into them and shielded them, it feels like they’ve already done everything they could."

"It’s not even the first or second time. It’s exhausting, really."

"He kind of comes off like someone who looks tough but actually has a glass mentality."

"Fans sending protest trucks over this would be hilariousㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ"

What are your thoughts?

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