RM, the leader of BTS, discusses his newly released second solo album in a video shared on the group's official YouTube channel, Saturday. Captured from YouTube

RM of BTS shared his experiences of the burdens he felt as the group's leader and the difficulties he faced regarding his military enlistment in a video released on BTS's YouTube channel on Saturday, coinciding with the release of his second solo album.

In a conversation with fellow member Jimin, RM said, "I took on the role of speaking correctly, saying good things, and representing the team in speeches, interviews, and making statements in English. People expected that from me. But in reality, I'm just a trivial 29-year-old man living in Korea, living a slightly different life from others."

His solo album, "Right Place, Wrong Person," released 1 year and 5 months after his first solo album "Indigo" in December 2022, was completed before his enlistment last year. The album explores moments when he felt like an "outsider who doesn't fit in."

Regarding the album's title, RM said, "It means being the wrong person in the right place, which refers to me. There are times when everything seems to be going well, but I feel like the odd one out. Conversely, I might think that I'm the right person, and it's the place that is wrong."

Big Hit Music, BTS's agency, explained that the track "Groin" from the album contains RM's candid thoughts directed at those he dislikes.

In the song, RM expresses, "What do I represent? I only represent myself / Before I die of anger, let me say what I have to say."

RM, right, and Jimin of BTS discuss RM's newly released second solo album in a video shared on the group's official YouTube channel, Saturday. Captured from YouTube

Spitting everything out in new album

In the YouTube video released on Saturday, RM confessed to Jimin, "At some point, I started feeling the weight of needing to be polished and different. The reason I love BTS is that our activities take the form of music. But if I try to cater to everyone, I feel like I would just want to die."

It is known that the video was filmed shortly before RM's military enlistment. Jimin began his military service the day after RM enlisted.

In a video clip from June 2022 where BTS announced a temporary hiatus from group activities, RM said, "At the peak of our success, I felt we needed to contribute to the world in some way, but I wasn't given time to think. I became a machine for translating BTS's rap lyrics into English, and my role ended once I worked hard on my English."

Reflecting on RM's album, Jimin said, "Listening to the album felt like reading RM's diary. It seemed like he poured his recent thoughts and frustrations into it. I know he has been struggling a lot."

Jimin described the album as feeling like watching a musical film, contrasting it with RM's first solo album "Indigo," which he felt was more about asking questions, whereas this album feels like RM is "spitting everything out."

BTS's RM in a concept photo for his second solo album. Courtesy of Big Hit Music

Different experiences beneficial to group

RM also talked about the difficulties he faced concerning his military enlistment. "We suffered for a long time, especially with all the talk about military service. I even overheard people talking about it in a bar, not knowing I was right next to them. At that time, I was dealing with a lot of personal issues and incidents, and I struggled to figure out what to do. So I decided to leave these thoughts behind and move forward."

RM and Jimin expressed their anticipation for BTS's return after all seven members complete their military service.

"We could have taken it easy, but we never did. I think I was particularly more intense among the members. Looking back at myself, I felt sorry. So I wanted to turn off the switch for a while," RM said. "When we come back, our different experiences will be beneficial." Jimin agreed, saying, "I'm also looking forward to it and think it will be fun."

RM's second solo album topped Japan's Oricon Daily Album Ranking immediately after its release. The title track "Lost!" reached number one on the iTunes Top Song charts in 73 countries.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, sister publication of The Korea times, is translated by generative AI and edited by staff of The Korea Times.