On December 21, BTS held a group live stream on the fan community platform Weverse, sending lively New Year greetings to fans around the world and openly expressing their anticipation for an explosive 2026, marking their comeback after three years of absence due to military service. RM took the lead, shouting out: “Let’s make 2026 the year of BTS. Soмєтнing really big is coming.” Immediately afterward, j-hope added: “2026 will be an important year for us.”
Then, rapper of BTS also remarked: “I can’t believe 2025 has already pαѕѕed so quickly,” and Jimin admitted: “This time of year is the hardest.” Following these comments, RM drew significant attention from fans and netizens by υиєχρє¢тє∂ly expressing public disappointment toward his management company, HYBE, candidly stating: “I wish our company would show us a bit more affection" and “I’m not sure. I don’t usually say things like this, but I just hope they can support us a bit more.”
His statement quickly went viral on social media and кσяєαn media, as such public frankness is unusual for BTS, and more broadly, uncommon in general artist-management relationships. It also implied that HYBE’s approach toward its key artists was facing serious issues, signaling the need for urgent consideration.
Amid the heated online discussions, a user named elly.chae, known as a former Big Hit director, shared a lengthy post expressing her viewpoint and providing detailed explanations about RM’s statement from the perspective of someone who had worked inside the company. The insights she provided helped the public better understand why RM made such remarks. Her post also received significant support and positive responses from fans.
The post is translated into English as follows:
"I didn’t see it firsthand, but after seeing Namjoon’s remarks, I was honestly pretty ѕнσ¢кed, especially as a former Big Hit employee. When an artist makes such a deliberate, no-holds-barred statement like that, it usually means internal issues have been piling up for a long time.
When the members chose to enlist individually rather than all at once, there should already have been a full plan laid out, enlistment periods, post-discharge schedules, everything. Some of that would have already been in motion. To be honest, from the company’s perspective, they probably wished all seven would just enlist together, but they simply couldn’t come to an agreement.
The moment everyone completed their service should have been the starting point… the time to immediately roll out aggressive promotions and start building toward a world tour. Instead, at the same time:
– The NewJeans and former CEO Min Hee-jin issues kept erupting
– The chaos around Bang’s IPO-related prosecutorial investigation
– Heavy marketing pushes to launch and elevate rookie groups like Cortis
With all of that happening simultaneously, and given that the company, no matter how big it’s become, doesn’t really function properly without final approval from the chairman, BTS probably felt like they were constantly being pushed to the back.
From the company’s point of view, those seven are still the founding members and the very backbone of the company, and they still need to be the ones generating revenue. But from what I know, a lot of the employees who actually knew how to do the work properly have already left, leaving behind only executives busy playing political games… so, honestly, who knows."
Her explanation further clarified that RM’s frankness was the result of a series of real, ongoing difficulties, not a momentary emotional outburst or a joke, and required HYBE’s serious attention. Currently, HYBE’s internal operations lack the capacity to properly manage internal issues and implement artist development plans, particularly regarding their core IP, BTS, after the group’s military service—soмєтнing shameful for a leading K-pop empire and alarming for the industry.
Meanwhile, BTS had planned to meet fans worldwide with a global tour following their new album release next spring, which the world eagerly anticipates. However, HYBE’s actions have been hesitant and uncertain. BTS, and RM in particular, have repeatedly signaled over many months that the company still had no concrete marketing campaign for the group’s comeback, despite the album’s production being complete.
Earlier, during a live broadcast on December 16, RM also expressed frustration over the long inactivity period and the company’s operations, saying: “I’m so tired of 2025, I could ∂ιє.” He further discussed comeback plans: “I can’t say exactly how prepared the company is, but when will they announce our comeback? I wish HYBE would announce it sooner.” Jimin sympathized: “It feels like it’s taking longer than expected, which is frustrating.”
In a personal live broadcast earlier this month, RM had also hinted that even if BTS wanted to return, many factors beyond his control were preventing an earlier comeback, stating: “We get asked a lot why we just let the latter half of 2025 pαѕѕ without doing anything. We didn’t want to waste time, and I personally wanted to be more active after my discharge. However, there were reasons for not doing activities in the second half of the year, and I don’t have the authority to explain all of it.”
Now, after RM’s latest statement and commentary from the former director, media and fans are watching HYBE’s next moves even more closely. If the company does not promptly address these issues—especially prioritizing the anticipated comeback of their most important artist, BTS—disappointment will rise, and trust will further decline among partners, investors, and fans alike.
