RM (Kim Nam-joon)

Who Is RM?

RM, born Kim Nam-joon, is the leader, rapper, and fourth-oldest member of BTS. He debuted with the group in 2013 and has played a central role in its music as a songwriter, producer, and English-speaking representative in global settings.

RM has extracted over 230 songwriting and composition credits under the Korea Music Copyright Association (KOMCA) by October 2024, maintaining his status as one of the most-credited artists in the association’s history.

Furthermore, he won the award for Favorite K-Pop Artist at the 2025 American Music Awards, becoming the first K-Pop artist to win this award as both a soloist and part of a group.

Beyond music, RM is a philosopher, an art collector, a philanthropist, and a cultural ambassador. He is, without question, one of the most remarkable artists of his generation.

Early Life: The Boy From Ilsan Who Fell in Love With Hip-Hop

Birth and Hometown

RM was born Kim Nam-joon on September 12, 1994, in Sangdo-dong, Dongjak District, Seoul, South Korea. His hometown is Ilsan District, Goyang, South Korea.

Namjoon always displayed high levels of intelligence. He has an IQ of 148 and is known for his philosophical and thoughtful lyrics.

The Song That Changed Everything

RM became interested in hip-hop music at the age of 11 years old after hearing the song “Fly” by the South Korean band Epik High. He began using his poetry to create songs after being introduced to rapper Eminem’s music by his school teacher.

Two songs. Two artists. One eleven-year-old boy. That was all it took.

In 2007, RM began rapping in local amateur hip-hop circles, creating his first self-composed recording with the program Adobe Audition.

The Underground Rap Scene

In 2007, aged 13, Namjoon was part of the underground rap scene in Seoul. He performed under the name Runch Randa before adopting the stage name Rap Monster — later shortened to RM in 2017.

Education

RM attended Apgujeong High School. He later earned a Broadcasting and Entertainment degree from Global Cyber University and pursued an MBA in Advertising and Media at Hanyang Cyber University.

This academic commitment reflects his lifelong hunger for knowledge. It is a hunger that shapes every lyric, every speech, and every artistic decision he makes.

BTS Career: Building a Global Empire

Joining Big Hit and Debuting With BTS (2010–2013)

RM joined Big Hit in 2010 and debuted as part of BTS in June 2013.

He was the first member recruited. He was chosen not only for his rap skills but also for his natural leadership and his ability to communicate with the world on behalf of the group. His near-fluent English — largely self-taught through watching the American sitcom Friends — made him the voice of BTS in countless international settings.

The Architect of BTS’s Sound

As main rapper and leader, RM has been the creative backbone of BTS from the very beginning. His official solo debut, the studio album Indigo in 2022, showcased a transition toward a more alternative and introspective sound, earning critical acclaim and charting successfully on the Billboard 200.

Moreover, his writing credits span the full breadth of BTS’s catalogue. Every era of BTS — from the raw hip-hop of their debut to the polished pop of Map of the Soul — carries his fingerprints.

Speaking to the World: United Nations and Beyond

RM has repeatedly stepped beyond the stage to represent BTS — and South Korea — on the world’s grandest platforms.

As a public figure, he has frequently represented BTS at high-profile international forums, including multiple addresses at the United Nations. These speeches — delivered in both Korean and English — touched on youth, identity, mental health, and global unity. They became defining moments not just for BTS but for K-pop as a whole.

Solo Career: A True Artist Comes Into His Own

Mixtape — RM (2015)

As a solo artist, RM released his first mixtape, RM, on March 20, 2015. It was a raw, confident introduction to his solo voice. It showed the world he was far more than just BTS’s leader.

Mixtape — Mono (2018)

RM released his second mixtape, Mono, in 2018. It became the highest-charting album by a Korean solo artist in the United States in history when it peaked at number 26 on the Billboard 200.

Mono was introspective. It was cinematic. It showed a deeper, more vulnerable side of Kim Nam-joon. Fans and critics took notice.

First Studio Album — Indigo (December 2022)

RM became the first BTS member to release an official solo studio album, Indigo, in December 2022. It achieved a historic peak at number three on the Billboard 200 chart, becoming the highest-charting Korean solo artist in the chart’s history at that time.

Indigo was a deeply personal project. It explored identity, memory, and the weight of global fame. Because of its honesty and artistic depth, it earned widespread critical acclaim far beyond the K-pop community.

Second Studio Album — Right Place, Wrong Person (May 2024)

RM’s second studio album, Right Place, Wrong Person, was released on May 24, 2024. It was his first project to be released during enlistment. Supported by the singles “Come Back to Me” and “Lost!”, it debuted at number five on the Billboard 200 with 54,000 album-equivalent units sold, earning RM his highest debut entry on the chart and the largest opening sales week of his career.

In 2023, RM travelled to Spain in search of inspiration for his second solo album, feeling unfulfilled after the critical and commercial success of Indigo. In an interview, he reflected on his journey to rediscover his identity after a decade of navigating the demands of K-pop.

The album features guest appearances by Little Simz, Domi and JD Beck, and Moses Sumney. It is a genre-defying collection that blends alternative, jazz, and experimental sounds with deeply personal lyricism.

Documentary — RM: Right People, Wrong Place (2024)

On September 4, 2024, the Busan International Film Festival announced the world premiere of RPWP‘s accompanying documentary RM: Right People, Wrong Place. It was featured in the Open Cinema section — a prestigious slot highlighting artistically significant films — and was the first K-pop–related documentary selected for this category.

The documentary, directed by Lee Seok-jun, chronicled the eight months before RM’s enlistment, including the album’s creative process. It was given a global theatrical release in December 2024.

“Neva Play” With Megan Thee Stallion (September 2024)

On September 6, 2024, RM was featured by Megan Thee Stallion on her single “Neva Play.” It charted at number 36 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming RM’s highest solo entry on the chart.

This crossover success further validated his versatility and success in both hip-hop and pop markets. Furthermore, on May 22, 2025, “Neva Play” with Megan Thee Stallion was revealed as the winner of Listeners’ Choice: International Song at the first-ever Music Awards Japan.

Military Service: Serving With Distinction (2023–2025)

Enlistment

RM officially enlisted in the military on December 11, 2023. He enlisted as part of the military army band.

Before his enlistment, RM was appointed Public Relations Ambassador for the Ministry of National Defense’s Excavation and Investigation Team — a project dedicated to recovering and identifying the remains of Korean War veterans. This role underscores his connection to Korean history and his deep respect for veterans and the country’s past.

Accomplishments During Service

Even in uniform, RM never stopped creating. Besides releasing Right Place, Wrong Person and collaborating with Megan Thee Stallion, he also made a difference beyond music.

In March 2025, RM donated 100 million Korean won — approximately $69,000 — to the Hope Bridge Disaster Relief Association to aid in the recovery from the wildfires ravaging the country.

Both the music videos for “LOST!” and his collaboration with Megan Thee Stallion, “Neva Play,” had RM compete alongside major contenders like A$AP Rocky, Sabrina Carpenter, and Sleater-Kinney at SXSW’s influential 2025 Music Video Competition.

Discharge and Return (June 10, 2025)

On June 10, 2025, RM and V were discharged from the South Korean military after completing their required service. Hundreds of fans gathered in Chuncheon City to welcome them home.

RM played the saxophone upon discharge as fans and media greeted him. He also posted a photo booth picture on his Instagram, commemorating the end of his service.

Post-Military Life: Art, Ambassadorship, and the BTS Comeback

Samsung Art TV Global Ambassador (2025)

After his discharge, RM was named Global Ambassador for Samsung’s Art TV and participated in panels at major art events including Art Basel, reflecting BTS’s influence beyond music.

BTS Reunites — Spring 2026

Following the completion of all seven members’ military service, all seven members RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook — appeared together on a Weverse livestream on July 1, 2025, to share what’s next. During the broadcast, the group confirmed they are working on a new BTS album set for release in spring 2026, with a world tour to follow.

BTS’s comeback date was confirmed for March 20, 2026, in an announcement by BIGHIT MUSIC.

RM revealed that they would be travelling to different cities as they collaborate on the project, starting in the U.S., to spend time together while working on music.

The wait is nearly over. BTS — and their leader RM — are ready to remind the world exactly what they are capable of.

Awards and Achievements: A Record-Breaking Legacy

RM has received the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Commendation (2016); Presidential Commendation (2017); the Hwagwan Order of Cultural Merit, 5th class (2018); appointment as Special Presidential Envoy for Future Generations and Culture (2021); the Game Changer Award by Asia Society (2020); and the James A. Van Fleet Award by The Korea Society (2020).

Additionally:

• RM won the Special Award – Hip-Hop at the Hanteo Music Awards in February 2025, recognizing his solo achievements over peers including his own bandmate J-Hope.
• RM won Fans’ Choice Top 10 – Male at MAMA 2024 for Right Place, Wrong Person — his first solo MAMA statue.
• He was appointed as the first-ever celebrity brand ambassador for Italian fashion house Bottega Veneta in March 2023.

Art, Culture, and “Namjooning”: A Renaissance Man

RM is a passionate art collector and enthusiast, often documenting his visits to museums and galleries — a hobby his fans have lovingly termed “Namjooning.”

This interest has led to philanthropy, including significant donations to the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation for the restoration of traditional Korean artifacts.

He does not simply consume art. He champions it. RM funds its preservation. He uses his platform to make the world pay attention to it. His role models include Kanye West and A$AP Rocky — artists who, like RM, have consistently pushed the boundaries of what popular music can mean.

Complete Discography

Mixtapes

Year	Title	Chart Peak
2015	RM	—
2018	Mono	#26 Billboard 200

Studio Albums

Year	Title	Chart Peak	Notes
2022	Indigo	#3 Billboard 200	First official solo album; highest-charting Korean solo artist at that time
2024	Right Place, Wrong Person	#5 Billboard 200	Largest opening sales week of his career

Key Singles & Collaborations

Year	Title	Collaborator	Notes
2017	Change	Wale	—
2017	Champion (Remix)	Fall Out Boy	—
2019	Old Town Road (Seoul Town Road Remix)	Lil Nas X	—
2024	Come Back to Me	—	Lead single, RPWP
2024	Lost!	—	#2 single, RPWP
2024	Neva Play	Megan Thee Stallion	#36 Billboard Hot 100