Somebody light the candles, it’s RM’s birthday! The BTS member turns 29 on Tuesday, Sep. 12, with fans celebrating around the world on Monday (Sept. 11). In celebration of the big day, the rapper-songwriter posted a message to fans reflecting on his 28 years of life so far.
In his note — which was posted to Weverse on Monday (Sep. 11) — RM reflects on his emotional maturity journey, talks new music to come and muses on the relationship between fans and artists. “It’s my last birthday in my 20s,” he began. “I always feel a little embarrassed. I don’t think it’s a big day for me, but … I’m so happy and blessed that so many people congratulated me sincerely.”
“I want to be a person who can be as honest as possible, but what can the existence between the intangible and tangible of fans and singers be beyond that? Is everything acceptable under the kind ghost of love? I’m still going through the experience where revealing becomes a weakness and honesty hurts, but I’m not sure yet,” he wrote. “I said before that I was sad because it was getting harder to talk. I think that fact is still the same. But I’ve gotten a lot calmer. As I received the sincerity of thinking about receiving it once in my life like a heavy rain, I also realized that I was a temperamentally optimistic person who considered salt and emptiness as cool. Isn’t this a miracle? These days, I’m living with by ‘Why not?’ I’m living by sharing the optimism that was interpreted by the love I received.”
RM has already achieved several lifetime’s worth of success. As a member of BTS, RM has earned six No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100, including the Grammy-nominated singles “Dynamite” and “Butter.” On the Billboard 200, the group has scored six No. 1 titles in just five years, ranging from 2018’s Love Youself: Tear to 2022’s Proof.
The rapper also teased new music of his own in his message, though it sounds like it may not be coming anytime soon. “I’m living by sharing the optimism that was interpreted by the love I received,” he shared. “I’m also putting it in my next songs that will come out someday.” As a soloist, RM has charted one song on the Hot 100: 2022’s “Wild Flower” (with Youjeen, No. 83). He has also landed a pair of titles on the Billboard 200: 2018’s mono. (No. 26) and 2022’s Indigo (No. 3).
He continued his message by reflecting on his life and time in BTS. “Can I just be honest in a way that’s more beautiful than music?” RM wrote. “So I wonder if I became a BTS. I wanted to do it in various ways. Whether it’s a program, an interview, a dance, whatever.. What a blessed life. And these things always make me want to look at where I am and think about it with my eyes.”
He wrapped up his letter by sharing his appreciation for ARMY. “Each letter of my birthday is a different language of love, where I have now arrived. Thanks to you, I’m living really well. I want to live well. I just wanted to say that I love you with my latest and best version every time,” RM concluded. “I can’t hug each and every one of you, but my heart is more than that. I won’t ask you to love me no matter what I look like. But I’m going to try my best as much as I got it.”
This story originally appeared on Billboard
