BTS is preparing for what is expected to be the biggest comeback in K-pop history with their fifth studio album ARIRANG. The three-year hiatus in group activities due to mandatory military service has led to many changes, including personnel shifts within BigHit Music. Nicole Kim is one of them.

For longtime fans, Nicole (also known as Hyunjun Kim) is widely recognized as the interpreter for BTS at numerous international events, behind-the-scenes programs, and especially during the group’s meetings with famous Western artists such as Charlie Puth and MAX. However, Nicole Kim’s actual role at BigHit Music from 2017 to 2022 was A&R Director and Creative Director at HYBE, as well as Head of Creative for BTS.

In December 2022, she left HYBE and began a new role at Columbia Records as Vice President, managing globally renowned artists such as Beyoncé, Adele, Pharrell Williams, Harry Styles, The Kid Laroi, and Lil Nas X. By June 2025, Kim posted a farewell message to Columbia Records after working with the label for about three years. Fans noticed that this period coincided with BTS’s hiatus while the members were serving in the military.

Shortly afterward, ARMYs began noticing her again in several moments with BTS members in July of the same year, such as hanging out with Charlie Puth or sitting at the same table with j-hope, Jimin, and SUGA at singer Ayden Ju’s birthday party.

Most notably, in March this year, A.Chic—a well-known songwriter and music producer who collaborated with BTS on 5 out of the 14 tracks on the ARIRANG album—posted the caption: “@official_love_nicole i’m forever indebted to you and all the ways you believe in me and my gifts. Thank you!” Meanwhile, Nicole Kim’s official Instagram profile lists her title as “Vice President, BigHit Music,” suggesting that she has returned to work with BTS, possibly in an even higher position.

The return of a veteran staff member like Nicole to BigHit Music and BTS is considered a positive sign, and the results appear to be reflected in the ARIRANG album—where BTS collaborated with numerous successful international artists. However, not all fans have welcomed her return. In recent hours, Nicole Kim has even faced a strong wave of criticism.

Some fans accuse her of abandoning BTS during their hiatus to work with other artists, particularly Jennie at Columbia Records. They also claim that Kim brought along resources she had built over seven years at BigHit Music—such as members of the production team behind Golden—to collaborate with Jennie on the album Ruby while she was working as an A&R at Columbia Records.

That’s not all. Some fans have cited old interviews, pointing out that she once expressed the goal of “replicating” BTS’s success in the West for other artists. To further support claims of “betrayal,” fans also presented evidence that she was once credited as Tour Manager for BLACKPINK’s Born Pink World Tour and had posted messages showing support for BLACKPINK and Jennie outside of BTS.

Criticism directed at Nicole includes comments such as: “She even talked about replicating BTS’s success in the west... now she is in Arirang”, “Going back to BTS after abandoning them during their hiatus hahaha some people in this industry have no shame and treat the artists (especially idols/kpop) like stepping stones”, “Leaving and then coming back? Promoting another artist that failed in the Western market and then realizing BTS is still the best?”, “Leaving BTS was never easy for her, she learned a lifetime lesson”, “I don’t like her returning to BTS, the BTS crew is already good enough, there’s no room for a traitor”...

The backlash became so intense that Nicole initially deleted posts related to her time at Columbia Records, as well as posts connected to Jennie and BLACKPINK. However, the situation did not stop there. At its peak, she eventually deleted her personal Instagram account entirely.

Seeing the situation escalate in this direction, some ARMYs stepped forward to defend Nicole Kim, arguing that changing jobs is natural and that she was simply doing the work she needed to do. One fan said: “If the artist in hiatus, she have all right to step up her career and not stuck doing nothing. And when the boys come back, she come working for them again, I said that’s called loyalty”.

Other fans also commented:

- Why do you think the people who worked with BTS were supposed to just stay unemployed while they were away?

- I frankly think she was doing the trend where you move jobs to get an increase in pay. I bet they are paying her more now than her last job

- She just doing her job and she's a pro. Hybe and BH let her return and the boys still trust her. Just leave her alone and let her do her job

- Most likely, she simply didn't want to sit idle while BTS was in the army. In Columbia she was like a&r manager, so Jnnie should be thankful to has so many famous producers under her album. Nicole uses all the sкιℓℓs and connections she acquired working with BTS

- It could be a long game strategy they discussed well in advance. We know BTS and their team move light years ahead. I felt her move would somehow be beneficial later on

- Please step outside in the real world people change jobs and work temporarily in other places to gain experience and exposure

After all, she has worked closely with BTS since the group’s earliest collaborations with Western artists. In other words, she helped lay the foundation for BTS’s successful collaborations with Western artists and can be considered one of the key figures who helped BTS enter the Western market.

Nicole Kim’s professional ability is also far from soмєтнing that should be underestimated. Many artists who have collaborated with BTS have openly praised her and acknowledged her role. A.Chic, mentioned earlier, is one example. Previously, producer MAX described her as an amazing person who played an important role in helping BTS and other artists feel comfortable and connected. Rapper Megan Thee Stallion also spoke highly of Nicole Kim, revealing that she was the one who sent the collaboration invitation on behalf of BTS.

At the beginning of this new chapter for BTS, the return of Nicole Kim—or other veteran staff members who have worked alongside the group—only further strengthens the foundation for their success. Moreover, neither BTS nor BigHit Music has objected to her return. Therefore, what matters most is judging someone based on their results!