RM, leader of BTS: "If I died tonight, I think nothing would change. A farmer or a sweeper is more relevant to the functioning of society" [ VOGUE SPAIN]

    RM, leader of BTS: "If I died tonight, I think nothing would change. A farmer or a sweeper is more relevant to the functioning of society"

    The South Korean rapper, singer and songwriter, who has become a world icon thanks to k-pop, has recently visited Barcelona to promote his first solo album, 'Indigo'

    RM leader of BTSBIGHIT MUSIC

    He has been answering the question of what are the factors that have made k-pop an overwhelming global mass phenomenon for a decade, but his response - assures RM (Kim Namjun; Seoul, 1994), leader of the boyband BTS - has been changing over the years.


    "I think that in order for a cross-cutting audience to understand it, we can refer to the groups that triumphed in the sixties and seventies, to the first invasion of the Beatles, perhaps.


    It's not that he's comparing us to them, but this is also a new event. All those who have in their DNA a love for movement and the energy it generates are susceptible to reacting to k-pop.We represent a group of young people who move in unison, with a common goal.


    The dances, the visual component, the reactions on social networks, the relaxed vibrations... All this contributes to people being enthusiastic about it," reflects the rapper and composer in a video call with Vogue Spain that connects Madrid with Barcelona, where RM has spent 10 days alternating moments of rest with the promotional tour of his new album, after having attended the Bottega Veneta fashion show at Milan Fashion Week.

    Indigo (Big Hit Music) is the title of RM's first solo studio album. A set of 10 songs in English and Korean that was released on December 2 and has collaborations of the caliber of Erykah Badu, Anderson. Paak or Tablo, leader of the South Korean hip hop band Epik High.


    The work - whose first single, Wild Flower (with youjeen) already accumulates more than 54 million views on YouTube - is articulated as a return to the origins, to that nine-year-old boy who had not yet immersed himself in the maelstrom of fame and dreamed of being a poet. "The k-pop industry has not stopped growing since we debuted with BTS [in 2013]. It has become much more complex and has captured many more people in its structures.

    I think there are a lot of lights, but also some slippery shadows.


    Many of us started our career very early as a group: we slept and lived together when we were teenagers. We became a real family, which is great, but this culture has also affected me a lot, because sometimes it is difficult for me to be treated like an adult who has autonomy in his decisions. I am perceived as another gear of the crew, in the context of a massive phenomenon," reflects the artist, who still defends an approach in which an optimistic look predominates.

    "I still love this industry, it has given me a lot of good things. The ARMY [name given to BTS fans] all over the world, which transmit true love to us. But that love has to be captured, responded to it, which can also produce stress. I've been doing it since I was 20 years old, and I didn't know shit about the world. That's the most complicated part. That's why I have to tell myself: 'Uncle, go back to the beginning. Where you started, on your most human side, hip-hop," he says.


    Have you ever felt that you got completely lost in this delirium of success? "Before I thought so, but the curious thing is that I am fully aware that it has been my own choice to have devoted myself to the k-pop industry. Nobody pushed me to do it. But yes, sometimes I've lost myself.


    Although perhaps saying this is an excess of 'self-empathy'. There is no answer. Except that, if the k-pop is going to recharge the batteries of a massive audience and I am responsible for doing that recharge, then I have to keep my feet close to the ground. As an adult, as a musician and as a human being.


    And these ten years of career have helped me to define who I am and learn to love myself. Although I'm still in that process, you know? All these internal struggles will be recorded on discs and videos," he explains.


    The lyrics of the songs, the philosophical thoughts, the messages or the words themselves are a constant reason for analysis in the production of RM. "Music is really necessary for the world, but, when it comes to my music, sometimes I feel that I am producing something unnecessary. If I died tonight, I don't think anything would change. Some may care for some, but a farmer or a sweeper are more relevant to the functioning of society.


    When I wonder about the role of our generation in historical terms, when I look at all the digital platforms and communities there are, I am overcome by great confusion. There are a lot of people who don't want to think. They have frantic lives and resort to music or television to escape, so the last thing they want is for someone to try to teach them from a pedestal


    . In that context, I wonder how I can make my music matter. I haven't found an answer yet, but I'm still trying to provide my own perspective," says RM, who is passionate about art and in Indigo has included different references to his favorite South Korean painter Yun Hyong-keun.





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    Edited 3 times, last by BRIYANI ().

  • BRIYANI

    Changed the title of the thread from “RM, leader of BTS: "If I died tonight, I think nothing would change. A farmer or a sweeper is more relevant to the functioning of society"” to “RM, leader of BTS: "If I died tonight, I think nothing would change. A farmer or a sweeper is more relevant to the functioning of society" [ VOGUE SPAIN]”.

    Regarding whether he is afraid that the army he has on Instagram (42.4 million followers) one day, in the face of a silly mistake or a blunder, may turn against him, RM responds unequivocally. "Yes, I'm afraid. I'm scared 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When I was younger I wanted to give the image of a cool guy who doesn't give a shit what the rest of the people think, but I don't think that's right anymore.


    I care about the advertising dimension of my career and the influence I can have on others. That pressure stresses me, yes, but I think I can stand it. That's why I don't retire or do things like go out to drink at night and then drive drunk. I am human, I can make mistakes, but I will do everything in my power to be the best version of myself. One of the keys is to treat this job for what it is: a job. I don't think artists have any special rights or category."



    Finally, one aspect that must be made clear about this album is that, no matter how much the rumor is pawned, it does not imply, far from it, the end of the successful band. “Oh! I'm not going to leave BTS. Absolutely not. It's the first time I've launched a project like this alone, so I'm trying to stand up and take my first steps. But I am ambitious and I have willpower. So I don't want to miss the opportunity to do both.


    So I will try my best not to lose control and drive these two ships at the same time. Many bands split and crumble, but I hope that doesn't happen to BTS. I just love music, I love my job, I love the band members and I love myself. If I manage to maintain both projects, I think it can be something legendary in the long term," he concludes.

    Please read this interview of Namjoon being absolutely honest as he can ArmyTaglist

    RM, líder de BTS: “Si me muriera esta noche, creo que nada cambiaría. Un granjero o un barrendero son más relevantes para el funcionamiento de la sociedad”
    El rapero, cantante y compositor surcoreano, convertido en icono mundial por gracia del k-pop, ha visitado recientemente Barcelona para promocionar su primer…
    www.vogue.es

    Babe I can’t read shit. It’s all black ;(

    RM is so smart. But I’m more impressed with his honesty and humility here more than anything. You can tell he’s more in tune with himself now. He’s been showing more of Kim Namjoon and less of RM which is great.


    In persona, he admitted he was scared to show this part of himself(Kim Namjoon) because the world does not care for his clumsiness or awkwardness. But he is still making efforts to show this side to us little by little. I’m so proud of him. :pepe-sad:


    Also Namjoon should not be too worried about how to get his music across to others without stepping on toes. His own life is a testament and his own music is based on his own stories. People are touched when they relate with others in their troubles. He just needs to continue putting his music out there. It will find the right people


    Great interview!

  • AllKill VIP

    Bang PD could not have chosen a better man as a leader for BTS than RM. He answers questions so intelligently. He's a true artist and he never fails to show dedication to his craft. He's so well put together. He possesses self-awareness. He knows the wide scope of his worldwide influence yet still exhibits humility. He has empowered his group to work on their craft to the best of their ability. Hence, the group members look up to him as their consistent source of strength when all the klieg lights are turned off and when the curtains come down.


    After the roar of the crowd fades, BTS members have openly admitted their utmost respect for RM - a true leader. :red-heart::red-heart::red-heart:

    Quote from Jenchulichaengbp

    I guess They rarely been on fashion magazines


    You're actually correct. They have not been on fashion magazine as much as your girl. They are musicians after all but only have fashion ambassadorships as side gigs. That's why, unlike your girl, when asked, they don't stutter trying to explain how they create music. The interviewer actually gets a proper response other than saying umm ... ah .. umm ... yeah . . . aha . . . . :rolleyes::rolleyes:

    He is so humble


    He is actually more valuable than most singers around the world, except for Korea where they value someone who has contributed much less to KPop higher than him

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