BTS' RM opens up about his leadership pressures and scrutiny around military service

South Korean boyband BTS' leader, Kim Namjoon, more prominently known by his stage name RM, recently discussed the challenges faced by the group during their military enlistment. In a conversation with fellow member Jimin on Bangtan TV’s YouTube channel, RM also expressed his views on the public scrutiny they faced about their decision to enlist. For the uninitiated, all seven members of the wildly popular boyband are currently serving their mandatory military service in the South Korean army.

RM on shouldering the responsibilities of a leader

Speaking about the responsibility that comes with his position as a leader, RM shared that he has been shouldering the burden of leadership decisions for over a decade, highlighting the weight of responsibility he carries.

Addressing the scrutiny around BTS' military service, RM said, "We suffered for a long time, especially with all the talk about military service. I even overheard people talking about it in a bar, not knowing I was right next to them. At that time, I was dealing with a lot of personal issues and incidents, and I struggled to figure out what to do. So, I decided to leave these thoughts behind and move forward.”

RM continued, “But for the past ten years, we felt this burden. We just had to be conscientious and different. If I kept caring about what everyone else thought… If I kept going like this, I just… I felt like I would want to die.”

'RPWP' is deeply personal

RM further revealed that these emotions inspired the creation of his new solo album. He mentioned that his album, ‘Right Place, Wrong Person,’ is deeply personal and reflective of his own stories and experiences. Although he cherishes BTS and their music, he confessed to frequently worrying about others’ opinions, which made him feel constrained. Creating this album allowed him to express his truth and liberate himself from these concerns.

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