TXT Member Beomgyu Reveals Label Restrictions on Early Personalities and the Groups Strategic Defiance to Show Their True Selves

In a recent broadcast of the long-standing MBC variety program Radio Star, Beomgyu, a member of the globally recognized K-pop group TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT), provided an unprecedented look into the internal management strategies employed by their label, BIGHIT MUSIC, during the group’s formative years. The revelation, shared during the May 7, 2026, episode, highlights the rigorous and often contradictory nature of idol "concepts" within the South Korean music industry. Beomgyu detailed how the group was strictly mandated to maintain a specific "prince-like" persona, a directive that suppressed the members’ natural personalities and led to early public misconceptions about the group’s character.

The K-pop industry is characterized by its meticulous attention to branding, where artists often debut with a "concept"—a curated aesthetic and behavioral framework that dictates everything from fashion to public speaking styles. While these concepts are designed to create a distinct market identity, Beomgyu’s testimony suggests that the enforcement of these personas can sometimes create friction between an artist’s genuine self and their professional image. According to the TXT member, BIGHIT MUSIC’s vision for the group was one of regal refinement and stoic charm, a "prince" image that specifically forbade behaviors typically associated with younger idols, such as aegyo (the display of cute or affectionate behavior).

The Strategic Imposition of the Prince Concept

When TOMORROW X TOGETHER debuted in March 2019 with the EP The Dream Chapter: STAR, they were immediately positioned as the "younger brother group" to the global phenomenon BTS. This association brought immense pressure and high expectations from both the industry and the general public. To differentiate the group and establish a unique niche, BIGHIT MUSIC developed a concept that Beomgyu describes as "synthetic" and "curated."

The "prince" image was not merely a fashion choice but a behavioral mandate. Beomgyu revealed that during their debut days, the label provided strict instructions on how they should conduct themselves on camera. They were expected to be poised, elegant, and somewhat reserved. This restriction extended to variety show appearances, which are traditionally the primary venue for K-pop idols to showcase their humor, relatability, and individual charms. By forbidding the members from acting "cute" or engaging in slapstick humor, the label inadvertently created a barrier between the group and their audience.

This curated image had tangible consequences for the group’s early reputation. Beomgyu admitted that the adherence to these restrictions led many viewers and netizens to label TXT as a "boring" group. In an industry where "variety sense"—the ability to be entertaining on talk shows and reality programs—is highly valued, the forced stoicism of the group was misinterpreted as a lack of personality or charisma.

Chronology of Suppression and Post-Production Censorship

The enforcement of the "prince" image was not limited to verbal instructions; it was a systemic effort that involved active monitoring and post-production intervention. Beomgyu recounted specific instances where he attempted to inject his natural humor and high energy into television appearances. Despite his efforts to show a more authentic side of himself, these moments were systematically removed from the final broadcasts.

"Even if I tried to sneak in humorous or cute moments, all my scenes would get cut in post-production," Beomgyu explained during the Radio Star interview. This suggests that the label’s management team worked closely with broadcasting editors or utilized their own internal content teams to ensure that no "off-brand" behavior reached the public eye. For Beomgyu, who is known among fans today for his witty, energetic, and sometimes chaotic personality, this period of forced restraint was particularly challenging.

The timeline of this restriction appears to have spanned the group’s first few years, covering the The Dream Chapter trilogy and possibly extending into the early parts of the The Chaos Chapter era. During this time, the group’s variety content, such as their self-produced show TO DO X TXT, was notably more structured and less spontaneous than it is in its current iteration. Fans have since pointed out that early episodes of the show seem heavily edited to maintain a sense of decorum that the members clearly struggled to uphold.

The Turning Point: Strategic Defiance via Live Streaming

The shift from a curated persona to an authentic identity was not a top-down decision from the label, but rather a grassroots rebellion led by the members themselves. Beomgyu revealed that the group eventually decided to take matters into their own hands using the one medium the label could not easily censor: live broadcasting.

Through platforms like VLive (and later Weverse Live), the members of TXT began to deliberately showcase their true personalities. Because these broadcasts were streamed in real-time, the management and editing teams were unable to filter out "un-princely" behavior or humorous outbursts. This tactical move allowed the members to connect directly with their fanbase, known as MOA, without the intervention of a corporate lens.

"We decided that we would defy the label and show our real personalities since it could not be censored in post-production," Beomgyu stated. This act of defiance proved to be a turning point for the group’s public image. As fans witnessed the members’ genuine interactions, bickering, and humor during live streams, the "boring" label began to fade, replaced by an appreciation for their relatability and "chaotic" group dynamic. Eventually, recognizing the positive reception to the members’ authentic selves, BIGHIT MUSIC relented, allowing the group more freedom in their public appearances and content.

Fan Reactions and Industry Criticism

The revelations on Radio Star sparked a wave of reactions across social media platforms, particularly on X (formerly Twitter). Fans expressed a mix of amusement and frustration, with many criticizing the label’s original marketing strategy as "clueless" or "absurd."

One viral post highlighted the contradiction between the "prince" mandate and the group’s actual debut concept, noting that the music video for their debut track "Crown" was inherently "the embodiment of cute and youthful." Other fans pointed out that the label often dressed the members in casual, youthful attire that clashed with the formal "prince" persona they were expected to project. The consensus among the fanbase is that the group’s natural chemistry and humor were their greatest assets, which the label’s early restrictions had suppressed.

Industry analysts suggest that this situation reflects a broader trend in the transition between the 3rd and 4th generations of K-pop. While the 3rd generation often leaned heavily into strictly defined concepts (such as EXO’s "superpower" lore), the 4th generation has seen a shift toward "authenticity" as a primary marketing tool. Fans today are more likely to support groups that appear genuine and unscripted, making the "manufactured" approach of the past less effective.

Broader Implications for the K-pop Management Model

The case of TXT and BIGHIT MUSIC serves as a significant case study in the evolution of idol management. It highlights the potential risks of over-curating an artist’s image to the point where it alienates the audience. In the digital age, where idols are expected to maintain a constant presence through various media channels, the maintenance of a rigid, artificial persona is increasingly difficult and often counterproductive.

The success of TXT’s transition to a more authentic image also underscores the power of direct-to-fan communication. Live streaming platforms have fundamentally changed the power dynamic between labels and artists, giving idols a tool to reclaim their narratives. For TXT, this transition has not only improved their variety show standing but has also strengthened their bond with a global fanbase that values their honesty and vulnerability.

As of 2026, TOMORROW X TOGETHER is celebrated for their diverse discography and their engaging, multi-faceted personalities. Beomgyu’s openness about their past struggles suggests a new era of transparency within the industry, where the "prince" image is no longer a requirement, but rather one of many roles an artist can choose to play—on their own terms. The group’s journey from a "synthetic" debut to authentic stardom remains a testament to the importance of individuality in an industry often criticized for its uniformity.