“BTS, ATEEZ, & More” — K-Pop Producer’s Story Of Working With Idols Sparks Heated Reactions

Music producer Alexander Karlsson has found himself in hot water after mentioning BTS and other idol groups in one of his recent TikTok videos.

What was meant to be a casual storytime quickly turned into controversy, with fans accusing him of exaggerating his connection to major K-Pop acts for attention.

| @AKarlssonMusic/X (formerly known as Twitter)

In the now-viral clip, Karlsson addressed questions about whether he’s ever met popular idols, including BTS, ATEEZ, and SEVENTEEN. He responded that he had met “most of them,” but claimed it happened in ways people “wouldn’t expect.”

You guys keep asking me have you met BTS, ATEEZ, SEVENTEEN, and the answer is yeah, I’ve met most of them, but it’s like not the way you think it would happen.

— Alexander Karlsson

You’re awesome Jimin! So happy i got to meet you today :) #jimin #bts #kpop #hybe #producer pic.twitter.com/C2tO7XU6tl

— Alex Karlsson (@AKarlssonMusic) September 17, 2022

The producer went on to suggest that idols often reach out to him first — even inviting him out to dinner or drinks — implying that they were eager to collaborate.

t’s not like I’m trying to meet them or stuff all the time, it’s more like they’re trying to meet me. Which, I know it sounds crazy, but like if you were in my messages, you’d see they’re trying to get me out for dinner, for drinks, any reason to hang out so we might make a song together.

— Alexander Karlsson

An honor and pleasure to have worked on this song! Thank you everyone involved! https://t.co/LOxWL3dmK8

— Alex Karlsson (@AKarlssonMusic) June 16, 2023

He then shared an anecdote about being approached by two unnamed idols during a date, who he said shyly asked if he would work on their next album. While he didn’t name the group, many viewers believed he was hinting at top-tier acts like any of the groups he mentioned — a detail that didn’t sit well with fans.

I live in an alternate universe since I moved to Seoul to make K-pop! Be delulu and literally anything can happen!!

♬ original sound – Alexander Karlsson

Shortly after the video gained traction, fans criticized Karlsson for what they saw as clout-chasing behavior. Many accused him of trying to boost his reputation by implying that world-famous idols were “begging” to work with him. Others pointed out that his tone in the video came across as dismissive and arrogant.

there's this kpop "producer" white guy spilling his stories about working with idols and he's giving off the most obnoxious vibes basically saying idols beg to talk to him and i'm sensing he's going to be trouble clout chasing

— ✿❀cam❀✿⁷ will love yoongi forever (@camlovesyoongi) October 14, 2025

his name is alex and he’s already name dropping bts and i don’t like his vibes https://t.co/kGhB62f5ML

— ✿❀cam❀✿⁷ will love yoongi forever (@camlovesyoongi) October 14, 2025

He’s also liking comments suggesting that he’s referring to bts. And in the video he’s acting like they basically begged him to work on their album. What a twat. pic.twitter.com/gLP5M8TxFn

— bee⁷ ⭑ ⏳ BTS 2.0 (@starboykkyu) October 14, 2025

As of now, Karlsson hasn’t addressed the controversy or clarified who the idols in question were. Still, fans remain unimpressed, warning him that using BTS’s name to gain attention rarely ends well — especially when the group’s loyal fanbase is watching closely.

BTS