Kim Nam-joon (Korean: 김남준), known professionally as RM (formerly Rap Monster), is a South Korean rapper, songwriter, and record producer. He is the leader of the South Korean boy band BTS.
RM released his first solo mixtape, RM, in 2015, followed by his second mixtape, Mono, in 2018. The latter became the highest-charting album by a Korean soloist in the United States in history when it peaked at number 26 on the Billboard 200. RM made his official solo debut in 2022 with the release of his studio album Indigo, which featured contributions from Erykah Badu and Anderson .Paak. The album peaked at number three on the Billboard 200, becoming the highest-charting album by a Korean soloist of all-time. He has also collaborated with artists such as Wale, Younha, Warren G, Gaeko, Krizz Kaliko, MFBTY, Fall Out Boy, Primary, and Lil Nas X.
RM Details:
| Stage Name | RM formerly Rap Monster (랩몬스터) |
|---|---|
| Real Name | Kim Nam-Joon |
| Hangul | 김남준 |
| Hanja | 金南俊 |
| Date of Birth | September 12, 1994 |
| Birth Place | Dongjak-gu, Seoul, South Korea |
| Zodiac Sign | Virgo |
| Gender | Male |
| Birthday | September 12 |
| Age | 29 |
| Height | 181 cm (5’11”) |
| Weight | 73.6 kg (162 lbs) |
| Blood Type | A |
| Occupation | Rapper, Songwriter, Record producer |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Awards | Hwagwan Order of Cultural Merit (2018) |
| Genres | K-pop, hip hop, R&B |
| Labels | Big Hit |
| Associated acts | BTS (방탄소년단) |
| Position | Leader, Main Rapper |
RM Early Life and Education:
Kim Nam-joon was born on September 12, 1994, in Sangdo-dong, Dongjak District, Seoul, South Korea, and grew up in Ilsan District, Goyang, where his family moved when he was aged four or five. He has a younger sister and is part of the Gangneung Kim clan. As a child, RM largely learned English by watching the American sitcom Friends with his mother. As a student, he actively wrote poetry and often received awards for his writing. He posted his work to an online poetry website for roughly one year, where he received moderate attention. As a result, RM expressed interest in pursuing a literary career but later decided against it. When he was twelve years old, he studied in New Zealand for four months.
At age 11, in fifth grade, RM became interested in hip-hop music after hearing Epik High’s “Fly”. Finding that the song had provided him comfort, he decided to look further into the genre. He was introduced to the music of American rapper Eminem by his school teacher, which first sparked RM’s interest in lyricism. He would print out lyrics that he felt were “cool” and shared them with friends. RM began songwriting at that time, stating that his poetry became lyrics when combined with music.
In 2007, as a first-year middle school student, he began rapping in local amateur hip-hop circles, creating his first self-composed recording with the program Adobe Audition (then called Cool Edit) and later participating in his first concert in 2008. RM became more active in the underground Korean hip-hop scene under the moniker Runch Randa, releasing several tracks and collaborations with other underground rappers such as Zico.
As a student, RM had an IQ of 148 and scored in the top 1% of the nation in the university entrance examinations for language, math, foreign language and social studies. Because his parents had been strongly opposed to his interest in a musical career due to his academic achievements, RM initially decided to set music aside to focus on his studies. He eventually convinced his mother to allow him to be a rapper, asking her if “she wanted to have a son who was a first-place rapper, or a 5,000th-place student”.
In March 2019, after graduating from Global Cyber University with a degree in Broadcasting and Entertainment, RM enrolled at Hanyang Cyber University’s Master of Business Administration program in Advertising and Media.
RM Career:
In 2009, RM embarked on his journey into the music industry by auditioning for Big Deal Records, where he passed the initial round but stumbled in the second round due to forgetting lyrics. However, this setback led to a pivotal encounter with rapper Sleepy, who later introduced RM to Big Hit Entertainment producer Pdogg. Encouraged by Sleepy, RM auditioned for Big Hit Entertainment CEO Bang Si-hyuk in 2010, resulting in an immediate offer to join the record label at the age of 16, which he accepted without his parents’ knowledge. Under the mentorship of Bang and Pdogg, RM underwent three years of training alongside fellow rappers Min Yoon-gi (Suga) and Jung Ho-seok (J-Hope), laying the foundation for what would become the idol group BTS.
During his trainee period, RM contributed to BTS’ pre-debut tracks and worked as a songwriter for girl group Glam, co-writing their debut single “Party (XXO),” which was lauded for its progressive stance on LGBTQ issues. RM made his official debut with BTS on June 13, 2013, and has since played a significant role in the group’s success, producing and writing lyrics for numerous tracks on their albums. Notably, he showcased his solo talents by performing the intro track for BTS’ first EP O!RUL8,2?, marking a milestone in his career shortly after his debut.
In 2014, RM collaborated with Warren G for the rap track “P.D.D (Please Don’t Die),” expressing his feelings towards criticism and negativity. This collaboration stemmed from RM’s participation in the reality TV show American Hustle Life, where he formed a connection with Warren G. Additionally, RM joined forces with hip hop project group MFBTY for the song “Bucku Bucku,” showcasing his versatility by featuring in both the track and its music video.
RM’s solo endeavors continued with the release of his first mixtape, “RM,” in March 2015. The mixtape received critical acclaim and addressed various themes, including RM’s past, personal identity, and philosophical beliefs. Despite his success, RM acknowledged areas for improvement, expressing his desire for more autonomy in his future projects. Following the mixtape’s release, RM collaborated with artists like Kwon Jin-ah on Primary’s “U” and Yankie’s “ProMeTheUs,” showcasing his ability to adapt to different musical styles and contexts.
In August 2016, RM collaborated with Marvel for the soundtrack of “Fantastic Four” in Korea, releasing the digital single “Fantastic” featuring Mandy Ventrice. This collaboration highlighted RM’s growing influence beyond the music industry. Furthermore, RM’s involvement in co-producing Homme’s single “Dilemma” in August 2016 underscored his talent as a producer, contributing to the success of other artists’ projects.
In March 2017, RM teamed up with American rapper Wale for the socially-charged track “Change,” highlighting their common desire for global transformation. This collaboration stemmed from Wale reaching out to RM on Twitter after noticing RM’s cover of one of his tracks, “Illest Bitch.” Shortly after, RM featured on “Gajah” with Gaeko of Dynamic Duo, showcasing his versatility by collaborating with artists from different backgrounds.
RM’s collaboration with Fall Out Boy on the remix of “Champion” in December 2017 made history as he became the first K-pop artist to chart on the Rock Digital Songs chart, further expanding his influence beyond traditional hip-hop and pop audiences. In October 2018, RM released his second mixtape, “Mono,” which he described as a “playlist.” This project received critical acclaim for its introspective themes and vulnerability, with tracks like “Tokyo” and “Seoul” laying bare RM’s deep insecurities.
RM’s collaboration with British electropop duo Honne on the track “Seoul” exemplified his ability to forge connections with artists globally, further enhancing his international appeal. Continuing his streak of collaborations, RM featured on Tiger JK’s track “Timeless” in November 2018, offering introspective lyrics that departed from the trend of self-praise in rap.
In March 2019, RM collaborated with Honne and singer BEKA on the remake of “Crying Over You,” showcasing his versatility by exploring different musical styles. RM’s solo track “Persona,” released as a trailer for BTS’ EP “Map of the Soul: Persona,” debuted at number 17 on Billboard’s YouTube Song Chart, further solidifying his solo success.
RM’s collaboration with Lil Nas X on the remix of “Old Town Road,” titled “Seoul Town Road,” demonstrated his ability to seamlessly blend different musical elements and genres. Further showcasing his collaborative spirit, RM featured on Younha’s track “Winter Flower” in January 2020 and eAeon’s lead single “Don’t” in April 2021.
In June 2022, during BTS’ ninth anniversary celebrations, RM expressed a need for introspection regarding his role within the group and as an individual, coinciding with the band’s announcement of a shift towards individual projects. Following this declaration, BTS took a hiatus from group activities, allowing RM to explore solo endeavors. In September, he collaborated with the “alternative K-pop group” Balming Tiger on the single “Sexy Nukim” and later released his debut solo studio album, Indigo, on December 2. The album, featuring the lead single “Wild Flower,” attained commercial success, reaching number three on the Billboard 200 chart and establishing RM as the highest-charting Korean soloist in chart history at the time.
In 2023, RM sought inspiration for his second solo album in Spain, where he reflected on his journey to find his identity after a decade of adhering to K-pop trends as a member of BTS. He disclosed his decision to abstain from new projects in light of his impending mandatory military service. Despite this, RM continued to make notable appearances, such as featuring on the single “Smoke Sprite” by So!yoON! and being named the first celebrity brand ambassador for Bottega Veneta. Additionally, he collaborated with Colde on the single “Don’t Ever Say Love Me,” showcasing his versatility and influence across various music genres and fashion realms.
RM Personal Life (Girlfriend):
Rumour has it that RM married his girlfriend secretly, at the beginning of 2020, and several fans have even come to believe they parented children together. But RM has never revealed the identity of his rumored girlfriend.
In an interview, RM has been sporting his ring publicly on his left finger. Apparently, in Korean culture, wearing a ring isn’t always indicative of marriage, but sometimes, couples exchange rings after dating for a certain amount of time, so marriage isn’t necessarily in the cards.
Also, he’s been spotted with fellow K-pop singer, Hwasa, but no relationship between them has been confirmed. So according to the source and not having official data RM is single now and his ideal type is “sexy, even to a brain. Someone that is thoughtful and confident.”
RM underwent septoplasty for his nasal septum deviation in 2018 and temporarily withdrew from band activities while recovering from the operation.
Since 2018, RM has lived in Hannam-dong, Seoul, South Korea with his bandmates. In November 2019, he bought a property in the Yongsan District of Seoul for ₩4.9 billion (US$4.2 million), then sold it the following year for ₩5.8 billion (US$4.91 million) He later bought another home in Hannam-dong worth US$5.7 million.
RM Military service:
On November 22, 2023, Big Hit announced through Weverse that RM, along with bandmates V, Jimin, and Jungkook, had started the enlistment process to carry out his mandatory military service. He began his military service on December 11, as an active duty soldier.
RM Discography:
Studio albums
- Indigo (2022)
Mixtapes
- RM (2015)
- Mono (2018)
RM Filmography:
RM TV Series / Web Series:
| Year | Title | Role | Episode(s) | Note(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | The Dictionary of Useless Knowledge | Host | — | with Jang Hang-jun |
| 2017 | M Countdown | Host | — | with J-Hope and Jimin |
| 2016 | Close-up Observation Diary on Idol: Find Me | Himself | 2 | Reality show about his daily life |
| 2016 | Gura-Chacha: Time Slip – New Boy | Cast member | Pilot | Reality show |
| 2016 | Inkigayo | Host | — | with Jin, Kei & Mijoo (Lovelyz) |
| 2016 | Inkigayo | Host | — | with Jin |
| 2016 | KCON New York | Host | — | with Ailee |
| 2015 | Hot Brain: Problematic Men | Cast member | 1–22 | Quiz/knowledge show |
| 2015 | Inkigayo | Host | — | with Sungjae (BtoB) |
| 2014 | 4things Show – Rap Monster | Himself | 3 | Documentary about Rap Monster |
