Blame For BTS’s “ARIRANG” English Lyric Controversy Directed At Well-Known HYBE Staff

The new article sparked major criticism.

Koreaboo

3 hours ago

BTS recently came out with their new album ARIRANG, but has sparked major controversy.

One of the issues netizens had with the album was the lack of Korean lyrics, and Dispatch claimed that the members fought HYBE to include more.

Dispatch Reports BTS Fought HYBE Over Korean Lyrics In “Arirang”

A new article from Vulture seemingly showcases this in more detail, sparking speculations about who really was to blame.

In Netflix’s documentary ‘BTS: The Return,’ out March 27, some ‘Arirang’ studio sessions aren’t music to the ears of all the members. Here are seven takeaways from this behind-the-scenes look at BTS’s creative process. https://t.co/6z2KuY7Tyd

— Vulture (@vulture) March 24, 2026

Yet, in the new article, it seems like ARMYs are placing the blame on Nicole Kim for the English lyrics. Kim has been known to fans as she was once a translator but was reported to have left in 2023, with some sharing she worked with BLACKPINK‘s Jennie, but the article seemingly backs up reports that she returned to BIGHIT MUSIC.

ARMYs Are Lining Up For Job At HYBE After Employee Leaves

In the article, it referred to Nicole Kim as “Music vice-president,” and the article shared that she pushed back on the members’ desire to have more Korean lyrics because she wanted the album to go “global.”

When the article was posted, it sparked anger as a lot of the backlash from the album was due to the presence of too much English compared to Korean lyrics. The article also showed the frustrated reactions of the members to the decision, with Jimin and RM’s feelings being shared due to the struggles with English pronunciation.

nicole kim giving bts terrible artists to collab with such as charlie puth and benny blanco, then she left to go work with jennie after riding on bts’ coattails and now she tried stopping bts from releasing songs in korean. she’s so odd??? pic.twitter.com/b1eX9TdkFo

— alisha⁷ (@realbngtan) March 25, 2026

Nicole Kim is acting like BTS didn't already go global with Korean lyrics. Good thing Yoongi didn't cave in and kept his verses mostly in Korean. Even K-ARMYs said his part being the only Korean in some songs was touching pic.twitter.com/aRIJZNu5N4

— yoonreem🪷ᴹᶦⁿᴹᵃʳᶜʰ🎂 (@reemyoon93) March 25, 2026

#ohokay #weird pic.twitter.com/jv8WPCxpcD

— maya on fya (@thvrajs) March 24, 2026

do you know how insufferable you must’ve been to piss off the most patient member of the group??? jimin was so done with her pic.twitter.com/17kvHRQsH1

— ky 🥂 (@acepopduo) March 25, 2026

You can read more from the article below.

HYBE Slams BTS’s Lyrics In Shocking Statement, Sparking Fury