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News18
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Nate Walka Claims SM Entertainment Tried To 'Sabotage' BTS For EXO's Success
Nate Walka worked with the BTS members during the 2014 reality show, American Hustle Life. Over the past decade, South Korean culture has captured global attention, with K-pop music leading the charge and amassing a massive international fan base. Among the most influential names in the industry are BTS and EXO, both of whom have achieved remarkable success with their music. Recently, Grammy-winning songwriter Nate Walka made headlines by shedding light on the early days of these two powerhouse groups. In a candid revelation, he claimed that SM Entertainment, the agency behind EXO, allegedly tried to block BTS's early exposure in the American market. According to Walka, this was done to give EXO a competitive edge in building their international presence during K-pop's global rise. The remarks come at a time when K-pop groups are known for sharing a strong camaraderie, including close-knit friendships among members. Speaking on The Frankie Biggz Show, Walka recalled interacting with BTS in 2014, around the time when the boy group took part in the reality show American Hustle Life and spent time with a few hip-hop tutors in Los Angeles. Stating that he was impressed with the group from their We Are Bulletproof album days, Walka revealed how he had keenly collaborated on the show. 'The first interaction of their music was We Are Bulletproof, and just watching that one video got me on board to do this. It was interesting because there was a writing camp for a different group, and their camp was trying to get me not to work with BTS. There were a lot of doubters, thinking they were a filler group," he said, referring to how SM Entertainment tried to persuade him to work with EXO instead. sm really tried to downplay bts during their rookie years because this is crazysm 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….. — hopeeeworld💟🫶🏽 (@dimplelover875) April 20, 2025 'I believe EXO had, like, a number one record at the time, and their camp even tried to get me to not do the show and instead work with EXO. They were like, 'Oh, you know. BTS, they're not, you know…" he continued. Walka also highlighted how there were a lot of doubts around the group's success and added, 'When I watched the BTS video, it became clear that those who were doubting truly didn't comprehend what music and entertainment are all about. Among everything I had encountered in the K-pop scene, BTS really stood out to me." 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….. — hopeeeworld With Walka's claims now making rounds online, fans and ARMYs are left divided, with many BTS supporters expressing rage over the underestimation and opposition that the group faced during their early years. It is worth mentioning that the members of BTS are set to reunite in 2025, with the group ready to complete their mandatory military services. Despite the brief hiatus from music, their global impact remains unaffected. First Published:
Time of India
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
EXO's label SM Entertainment tried to sabotage BTS in their rookie days? New claims reveal shocking details
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 crazysm 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….. 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 😭 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 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 sabotage has always been there, interfering in opportunities & now recently exposed for media manipulation. The envy continues 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. For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
