RM

September 12, 2024

Fast Facts
Background
Career Timeline
Why We Love
Surprising Facts
FAQs

RM or Kim Nam-joon is a South Korean rapper, songwriter, and record producer born on September 12, 1994. He is known as the leader of the South Korean boy group ‘BTS’ and is popularly called “Rapmon” by fans. He released his first two albums with BTS in 2014 followed by his first solo mixtape “RM” in 2015. He has recorded with artists such as Wale, Fall Out Boy, and Lil Nas X, has appeared on television features, and guest-starred in music videos. He is one of the youngest members of the Korea Music Copyright Association, with more than 130 songs to his name. On his special day, we look at what makes him an international sensation.

Fast Facts

Full Name:

Kim Nam-joon

Nickname:

RM, Rapmonster, Joon, Joonie, Namjoonie

Birth date:

September 12, 1994

Age:

Zodiac Sign:

Virgo

Height:

5' 11"

Relationship Status:

Single

Net Worth:

$22 million

Background

RM, formerly known as RapMonster, has won the hearts of audiences around the world as the charismatic leader of K-pop sensation BTS. He was born Kim Nam-joon in the Dongjak District of South Korea on September 12, 1994. He moved to the Ilsan District when he was four or five where he grew up along with his younger sister. When he was 12, he studied in New Zealand for four months. He was a fan of hip-hop music and eventually developed an interest in lyricism inspired by artists like Eminem. In 2007, he began rapping in amateur hip-hop circles and participated in his first concert a year later. He became active in the Korean hip-hop scene and released several tracks under the moniker “Runch Ranga.”

In 2010, RM auditioned for the CEO of record label Big Hit Entertainment and was offered a spot. This interaction led to the creation and production of a hip-hop group that eventually came to be known as BTS. On June 13, 2013, he made his debut as leader of BTS and went on to produce and write lyrics for a variety of tracks on all of BTS’ albums. BTS’ first album titled “Dark & Wild” was released on August 20, 2014, by Big Hit Entertainment on which RM performed solo on the intro track. In 2015, he released a single in collaboration with Warren G entitled “P.D.D.” ahead of his first solo self-titled mixtape. In the same year, he appeared on 22 episodes of the Korean variety program “Problematic Men.”

Over the next few years, he collaborated with several artists in various capacities. In December 2017, RM made history as the first K-pop artist to chart on the Rock Digital Songs chart for his collaboration on a remix of Fall Out Boy’s song ‘Champion.’ He released his second mixtape “Mono” in 2018. With BTS, RM has released nine studio albums and seven compilation albums.

Career timeline

2008

The First-Ever Concert

RM participates in his first concert as an amateur hip-hop artist.

2013

The Band Makes its Debut

RM and his six friends come together to form the all-boys band — BTS.

2014

The Band’s First Studio Album

BTS releases their first studio album titled “Dark & Wild.”

2015

The Release of RM’s First Mixtape

He releases his first self-titled mixtape.

2017

The Stage Name is Changed

He goes from being known as ‘RapMonster’ and formally changes his stage name to ‘RM.’

2020

The Prestigious Promotion

RM is promoted to a full member of the Korea Music Copyright Association.

Why We Love RM

He is extremely intelligent
RM has an IQ of 148! When he was in school, RM scored in the nation’s top 1% of the university entrance examinations for language, math, foreign language, and social studies.
His style of rapping
In terms of rapping prowess, RM’s reputation precedes him. He is known for the tempo of his delivery and the ability to switch flows effortlessly.
He donates to educational funds
RM is a philanthropist dedicated to enabling disabled or underprivileged youth. His recent donations include funding for musical education for hearing-impaired children and the printing and distribution of rare art books to rural and mountainous areas.

5 Surprising Facts

He learned English watching “Friends”
RM largely attributes learning English to watching the American sitcom with his mother as a child.
His previous nickname came from a song
The name "RapMonster" is derived from a segment of a song he wrote, inspired by San E's "Rap Genius" where San E declares he should be called a "rap monster" as he "raps non-stop."
A unique way of convincing
To persuade his mother to allow him to be a rapper, he asked her whether "she wanted to have a son who was a first-place rapper, or a 5,000th-place student."
He is an atheist
RM identifies as an atheist believing that ”the only thing that determines my fate is myself.”
Collaboration with Marvel
In 2015, RM collaborated with Marvel for the soundtrack of “Fantastic Four” in Korea releasing the digital single, ‘Fantastic’ featuring Mandy Ventrice.