Over the years, Bang PD has accompanied BTS as a producer as well as founder of HYBE - the group's management company. Although most of them have the same intention in building and developing BTS's career, it seems that their views on the industry are not the same.

From a business person's perspective, Bang PD tends to think about making K-Pop integrate into the world pop music market to attract more attention while RM offers the perspective of musician who want K-pop must stand out in the pop music market with their own unique qualities. This is proven through their two recent statements about Kpop.

In particular, Bang PD also received a lot of criticism after making a statement about remove the “K” from "K-pop". It was the opposite of the opinion that RM had given and most fans agreed with the leader's opinion.Below is the situation being discussed on SNS:

HYBE founder Bang Si Hyuk is facing backlash from кσяєαn fans after suggesting the genre needs to remove the “K” and expand beyond its кσяєαn roots. In a recent interview, Bang stated, “These days, I often say that we need to remove the ‘K’ from K-pop. K-pop now needs to meet a broader consumer base in a wider market.” He believes leaning into more universal themes is key for further global expansion.

His comments immediately drew criticism from K-Pop fans in кσяєαn online communities — but also from international fans on different social media platforms. Multiple viral posts condemning Bang’s perspective received tens of thousands of views and hundreds of angry comments. Many fans see his statements as arrogant and dismissive of K-Pop’s кσяєαn identity.

One viral comment stated: “K-Pop isn’t his, so why is he telling people what to do lol Just do what you want with HYBE’s music and let K-Pop take care of itself". Other fans accused the CEO of prioritizing business expansion over music: “Now, more than a producer, he seems more like a businessman who doesn’t know music". While some netizens acknowledged Bang has a point about global expansion, the prevailing sentiment was that s̾t̾r̾i̾p ̾ping away кσяєαn elements would undermine K-Pop’s uniqueness.

In particular, one post attracted the attention of a large number of ARMYs when pointing out that Bang PD's position refuted RM's defense of the importance of the letter 'K' in K-pop in a recent interview. This. They criticized Bang for contradicting his own group members. This comment was written: "Meanwhile, RM responded in an interview that the K was a special certification lol Then take out the K. Then don’t use English lyrics in кσяєαn awards shows and music programs, and go abroad."

Below this topic, there are many people who support RM's statement because they think that is what BTS has been trying to do for decades. Meanwhile, Bang PD is said to be trying to eliminate the achievements and reputation that BTS has built for Kpop in the international market. Many comments expressed confusion and disappointment at Bang PD's erratic behavior:

- For me, I can understand him from just reading the title. He’s not suggesting calling K-Pop “Pop,” but he’s talking about how when it comes to K-pop, there’s an image limited to idols. So I understood it as him suggesting dispersing K-Pop into a more diverse atmosphere.

- Honestly, every time he does an interview, it feels like he won the lottery with BTS, and he doesn’t seem to know anything about this industry.

- Really, every word seems to be full of contradictions.

- It’s a valid point, but you can’t ignore the fact that they succeeded within the genre of K-pop. To make it competitive even without the ‘K,’ it might be challenging…

- The Man and Scooter means business, money at this point because enlistment happening soon! I guess nobody saw coming all this changes and they know some will follow some will resist but they are doing it anyway because they need it, pushing JK as a POP STAR and putting all this

- why is he acting like he was a pioneer of kpop

- KPOP will always be KPOP. It will never change to POP, just like you always did

- Why is he trying to westernize kpop?? It was so good before they catered to the west

- How about we bring back the кσяєαn songs. With korean lyrics. Great songs and singers who can SING THEIR SONGS. Just go away man.

- ...? So why even bother doing KPOP?

- I only like it because of the "K" though

- So just call it pop then.. I'll just leave KPOP then

- I only like it because thee's a "K" though

- But what he says is kinda true..

- What is he blabbing about? Bang Sihyuk needs to cut it down...

- Sigh he makes no senseㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ This is just dumbfounding

- If you read his actual interview, you'll end up agreeing with him, of course from the title, I didn't understand...

- Does he not know why we even like idols in the first place...ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ This also applies to why international fas like them, if not, they will just stan the singers from their own countries

- I can understand to some extent, that KPOP is indeed in an impa̾s̾s right now, but I still don't think removing the "K" from it would solve anything 

- You don't need to remove the K to reach a wider consumer base.... ppl who aren't into kpop aren't not into it because they haven't heard it, they aren't into it because they made a decision that it's just not their taste. Kpop is so accessible these days, this isn't 2012...

- This the best counter to his statement. He seem he can't accept it, the achievement with BTS alone isn't replicable. But he want to replicate it and think the door being open will make it easier. K-pop isn't for everyone. Other company already tried what he doing and they never end up that big. Lightning doesn't strike twice.

- Even my 60+ year old dad knows what kpop is, and he doesn't even live on the internet. All he does is read the paper and watch TV. He's high off the success of BTS and suddenly thinks all kpop groups atm have what it takes to survive globally

- bang pd did admit that he can't replicate bts. tried it twice and failed. if i were him, i'd be worried too. it's a losing battle, but it's business. i guess he's just doing the most he can while bts is still in his company. also, if he does succeed in making kpop mainstream (which is doubtful), not only hybe artists will benefit from it.

- Many kpop listeners aren't really that into western pop music anyway...Again, we need to make kpop a distinct pop music and scene, not making it the same like western pop music...Making kpop the same of them isn't the solution

The outrage reflects fans’ deep connection to the кσяєαn roots of their favorite genre. For many, K-Pop’s creative merging of кσяєαn and global influences is precisely why they love it. Diluting that кσяєαnness could jeopardize the genre’s special appeal.