EXO's label SM tried to sabotage BTS in their rookie days?

Before the global rise of Bangtan Sonyeondan, better known as BTS, the K-pop industry was dominated by the "Big 3" companies: SM Entertainment, YG Entertainment, and JYP Entertainment. These agencies managed the top groups, and any artist debuting under them was almost certain to find success in South Korea's K-pop scene.

However, BTS — formed of Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook — came from a then-bankrupt company, Big Hit Music, and broke this cycle. They proved that one doesn't need a big label to make it big. With their Blood, Sweat, and Tears, BTS became so popular that they paved the way for other K-pop artists on the international stage, even prompting major music award shows to create K-pop categories.

SM Entertainment unhappy with BTS' rise?

It seems the Big 3 agencies weren't too pleased with BTS' success. Now in 2025, it has been revealed that SM Entertainment allegedly tried to sabotage BTS' journey into America, as they wanted their own group, EXO, to get those opportunities instead. These accusations are connected to Bangtan Boys American Hustle Life, a reality show featuring BTS, which aired on Mnet. It premiered on July 24, 2014 — just a year after their debut.

Nate Walka, an American songwriter who participated in the show, recently spoke with a YouTuber about his experience with BTS during American Hustle Life. The show featured hip-hop mentors like Coolio, Tony Jones, and Warren G who guided BTS in their music journey. 

When asked about his first encounter with BTS, Nate said: "The first interaction with their music was when I saw 'Bulletproof,' ('We Are Bulletproof Pt.2') and that was before I met them. Just watching that one video got me on board to do this."

However, what Nate revealed next left the BTS fandom, ARMY, furious. He added: "It was interesting because, at the time, there was a writing camp — I want to say for EXO — going on. I believe EXO had a number one record out at the time, and their camp was trying to get me to not do the show and instead work with EXO. They were saying, 'Oh, you know, BTS — they're not… you know, they're like… there.' Believe it or not, there were a lot of doubters about them."

Nate went on to reveal even more: "They (SM Entertainment) said BTS was an experiment and that it wasn't going to go anywhere. They were calling them a 'filler group' and all this stuff. But when I watched that video (Bulletproof), I thought, 'Man, whoever's saying that clearly doesn't understand what music and entertainment really is'."

ARMY furious

Fans who came across these revelations were outraged, flooding X (formerly Twitter) with posts expressing disbelief over how a major agency could feel threatened by a rookie group just a year into their career.

One said, "SM really tried to downplay BTS during their rookie years because this is crazy… SM tried to get American Hustle Life to not have BTS on the show because they doubted them, thought they were a filler group, and called them an experiment….."

sm really tried to downplay bts during their rookie years because this is crazy

sm tried to get american hustle life to not have bts on the show because they doubted them and thought they were a filler group and called them an experiment….. pic.twitter.com/FJ6f5zEAiP

— hopeeeworld💟🫶🏽 (@dimplelover875) April 20, 2025

Another wrote, "I’m crying because why was SM — one of the biggest music companies in SK — threatened by these losers (video of rookie BTS)."

i'm crying bc why sm, one of the biggest music company in sk, was threatened by these losers 😭 pic.twitter.com/XtEIxYNYoB

— •ᴗ• (@rohanevaplays) April 21, 2025

A fan commented, "It keeps getting proved every year how SM was insecure about BTS and always planned to ruin their career."

It keeps getting proved every year how SM was insecure of bts and always planned to ruined their career

— •ᴗ• (@jincess7) April 21, 2025

Another stated, "& now their group is done — the filler. SM saw BTS as a threat from the beginning, even now they’ve been a roadblock to BTS. The sabotage has always been there, interfering in opportunities & now recently exposed for media manipulation. The envy continues."

& now their grp is done/the filler. SM saw bts as a threat from the beginning,even now they’ve been a roadblock to bts.The sabotage has always been there, interfering in opportunities & now recently exposed for media manipulation. The envy continues pic.twitter.com/dd5hz7s7X0

— kimi ⭐️ (@YOURGIRlkimi) April 21, 2025

About BTS

Now the most successful group in K-pop, BTS contributes significantly to South Korea's economy. The group has been on hiatus since 2022 to fulfill their mandatory military service. Despite stepping away at the peak of their careers, their popularity hasn't faded. They're set to return as a full group in June 2025, and the entertainment world is eagerly waiting to see what new records these seven men will break.  

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