RM, the charismatic leader of BTS, is never shy about sharing his thoughts with fans. Whether it’s through impromptu late-night livestreams or passionate speeches at the United Nations, the 30-year-old rapper, born Kim Namjoon, has built a reputation for being candid. But in RM: Right People, Wrong Place, his new documentary released on December 5, he takes transparency to new heights—sharing not just his struggles but also his process of self-discovery and growth during a pivotal moment in his career.
As BTS navigates its hiatus, with members focusing on solo projects and fulfilling Korea’s mandatory military service, RM took a step back to reflect on his identity and what it means to truly love and accept oneself. His introspective journey is at the heart of the documentary, and for RM, it was an opportunity to be “completely free and honest,” something he says he hasn’t always had the chance to do.
“In many aspects of my life, I couldn’t be honest,” RM confesses in an exclusive Q&A with PEOPLE. “And when I express these causes, I’m not sure how my fans or people outside will think about it, but I just wanted to share my story. I want to fully express my story… and I wish to be more of my true self.”
For RM, this process of self-expression was years in the making. As the leader of BTS, he often balanced the expectations of a global megastar while keeping his own desires and struggles under wraps. But after the group’s hiatus began in 2022, he found himself with the space and time to explore a different side of his identity. Working on his second solo album, Right Place, Wrong Person, RM was able to experiment with new genres and sounds, creating an album that reflects his emotional ebbs and flows—uncertain yet hopeful, driven yet aimless at times.
“I’m the icon of ups and downs,” RM jokes in the film. “I’m the icon of going full throttle or stopping abruptly. But I think my role as leader of BTS helped me rein that in a little. I always told myself, focus on balance… But even this emotionally volatile me is very me. So what do I do with this me?”
The documentary captures RM in a way fans haven’t seen before—vulnerable, unguarded, and deeply human. It’s a departure from the polished, often controlled image of the BTS leader. With his bandmates off on their solo journeys, RM is left to navigate his own path—one that’s often messy, introspective, and, at times, overwhelming. The absence of his usual support system leaves him to confront doubts and insecurities that he rarely shares with the public.
While RM’s solo work explores his personal evolution, he is still thinking about the future of BTS. He believes that the freedom he experienced during this time will have a positive impact on the group when they reunite in 2025. In fact, RM feels that the introspection and growth he’s undergoing now will make BTS’s comeback even more meaningful.
“I believe that everything happens for a reason, so I think I am driving in the right direction,” RM explains. “That those events are bound to have a good influence when we come back together.”
For RM, it’s all about learning from the past and embracing the uncertainty of the future. The title of his solo album, Right Place, Wrong Person, speaks to his belief that we can only truly understand what’s important to us after we’ve experienced loss or change.
Even as RM ventures into solo territory, his connection to BTS remains at the forefront of his mind. Reflecting on his early days in the group, he notes that his stage name “Rap Monster” initially represented his identity as a rapper, but he later realized it could also stand for “Real Me”—a name that embodies the many facets of his personality: the rapper, the songwriter, the philanthropist, the leader, and even the wanderer.
In the final moments of the documentary, RM addresses the camera with quiet sincerity: “It feels like I’m being my true self for the first time in a while.” And while the world eagerly awaits BTS’s return, it’s clear that RM’s journey of self-expression will play a significant role in their evolution as artists and individuals.
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