Born on September 12, Kim Namjoon, also known as RM of BTS is the leader of the number one K-pop act in the world. He’s contributed to the song-making process for the band ever since its inception and has helped shape the sound of the septet. It’s a well-established fact that the group now produces music that transcends all languages, foundations, barriers, and genres that their music is often seen making up a category of its own – BTS pop.

There’s no doubt that Namjoon’s efforts have reached their fruition and kept the team afloat all this time. It takes us back to the time when the other BTS members and Bang PD himself played a collaborative prank on him during their rookie years of training. When asked by Bang PD if he’d like to go ahead as a solo artist instead of working along with the other boys, Namjoon straightaway chose BTS without blinking an eye. He has come a long way from that moment.

To celebrate his birthday, we’re looking back to all the times he set an example of his kindness as the leader of the group

3 Times Namjoon Won Us Over by his Kindness

Being Supportive of the Members

On countless occasions, Namjoon has comforted and supported the members of BTS, which is why the label of “the dad of the group” has often been associated with him. He’s patiently guided the septet across the globe, interpreting every message along the way and conveying their translated messages to the world.

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Be it translating the English message Jimin’s father sent him on his birthday, helping him in the songwriting process for his musical release Promise, praising Jungkook as “their kid” when he collaborated with Charlie Puth onstage to sing We Don’t Talk Anymore, or just checking on them after the jump scaring prank at the Ellen Show, he’s always looked out for the team and cared for them as a family would.

One of the most warming incidents that still stands out after all these years is when the footage of the BTS documentary Burn the Stage revealed an off-stage argument between the members moments before their performance. Namjoon looked out for his fellow younger member V and comforted him by giving him a hug to boost his morale.

The list goes on and on, yet the instances of Namjoon comforting and backing his members don’t seem to cease.

His Speech at the UN General Assembly

Acknowledging his own humble origins on September 24, 2018, at the UN General Assembly, Kim Namjoon, i.e. RM of BTS accepted that he’s a mere human being like everyone else and that he’s made mistakes in his past too. No matter where he goes in life, that part of him will still be him and the accumulation of those mistakes is what makes him a better person today. The only way to overcome all those setbacks is by embracing his faults and loving himself.

An excerpt of his UN speech reads:

“Maybe I made a mistake yesterday, but yesterday’s me is still me. I am who I am today, with all my faults. Tomorrow I might be a tiny bit wiser, and that’s me, too. These faults and mistakes are what I am, making up the brightest stars in the constellation of my life. I have come to Love myself for who I was, who I am, and who I hope to become.”

And it’s the very same Love Yourself campaign that has resonated with audiences all over the world, and for that as the leader of the global K-pop act, Namjoon has never taken the support of the ARMYs as well as his own responsibility for granted.

“After releasing the Love Yourself albums and launching the Love Myself campaign, we started to hear remarkable stories from our fans all over the world,  how our message helped them overcome their hardships in life and start loving themselves. These stories constantly remind us of our responsibility.”

Through this speech, RM encourages everyone to speak their truth to power and manifest their identities by bringing their voice to the forefront regardless of their varying backgrounds.

“Tell me your story. I want to hear your voice, and I want to hear your conviction. No matter who you are, where you’re from, your skin color, gender identity: speak yourself.

Find your name, find your voice by speaking yourself.”

You can read the full speech on the UNICEF website.

His Golden Words of Optimistic Warmth

RM is also one of the most dedicated and acclaimed songwriters for the BTS brand, and it comes as no shock as to why that is so. His musical genius has often been reflected in his lyrics, especially through the entire Love Yourself saga of albums. However, his words work as a warm hug even otherwise. He has incessantly spoken about their fandom, ARMY, in a positive light and defended them in interviews as well.

Concerts have quite often become the place where his last comments before the night’s finale have rung a happy note in the hearts of those hearing them. Some examples of the same follow:

“If we can cut your pain and sorrow even by a little bit from 100 to 99, 98, or 97, then that’s enough to prove our value.”

“Please use me. Please use BTS to love yourself because you guys taught me how to love myself every day”.

Several moments recorded by fans during their fan meetings also prove the same. Namjoon has always been seen smiling warmly at the fans and passing on uplifting comments for them to relieve their burdens.

Mono, the mixtape released by Namjoon in 2018 is an attestation to the kind of philosophy he seeks to propagate with his words. There’s no other record in existence that comes close to it in expressing one’s lonesome pathos in our stifling world with such poignancy.

He’s recently released the song Sexy Nukim in collaboration with Balming Tiger. Check out his Instagram account for more updates from him and the never-ending trail of exhibitions, museums, and art galleries he follows.

Happy Birthday Kim Namjoon!

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