Bts Rm Honestly Opens Up About Mental Health Struggles During Military Hiatus

BTS leader RM (Kim Nam-joon) has touched the hearts of global music fans by offering a raw and deeply vulnerable look into the intense emotional toll and mental health struggles the group faced during their mandatory military service. On the evening of May 28, 2026, the critically acclaimed artist hosted a live broadcast on the global fandom platform Weverse, where he openly discussed the private hardships behind their highly anticipated reunion.

BTS Leader RM Shares Thoughts on Shifting Music Trends / News1

The Tearful Pact That Saved the Team

During the candid stream, RM specifically looked back at the emotional period leading up to the military discharge of the group’s eldest member, Jin. He confessed that the prolonged separation and the sudden break from their massive global careers took a significant toll on everyone’s well-being.

RM vividly recalled a private night when all seven members gathered together at one of their homes during their scheduled leave:

“To be completely honest, everyone’s mental health wasn’t in a good place at that time. We all ended up crying our eyes out together. During that emotional moment, we looked at Jin and told him that he really needed to work hard to hold the team together tightly as the oldest brother while the rest of us finished our service.”

It was during this exact emotional gathering that BTS made a solemn pact. They promised each other that the moment they were all officially discharged, they would immediately hit the recording studio to create a high-quality album to repay the millions of fans who had waited for them. This emotional promise directly resulted in the creation of their fifth studio album, ARIRANG, which dropped on March 30, 2026. Featuring 14 deeply personal tracks, the album marked their first major release in three years and nine months since 2022’s Proof, exploring the team’s cultural roots and inner psychological battles.

BTS Leader RM Shares Thoughts on Shifting Music Trends / News1

Protecting Romance in the Age of TikTok and Reels

Reflecting on their ongoing stadium world tour, RM admitted that he frequently feels incredibly choked up and overwhelmed with emotion on stage. He also shared his deep anxiety regarding public communication, stating that because his words are often heavily analyzed or taken out of context, he genuinely hesitates before starting live broadcasts for fans.

Furthermore, the brilliant lyricist shared his profound, philosophical thoughts on how rapidly the global music industry has evolved over the past few years:

• The Death of Lyrics: “I am someone who originally started making music because of my love for literature and deep, meaningful poetry. But nowadays, it truly feels like people do not actively listen to lyrics anymore.”
• The Algorithm Trap: “I actually learned about short-form video platforms like Instagram Reels for the first time while I was serving in the military. Now, I find myself mindlessly following that exact same content algorithm.”

RM concluded his thoughts by expressing a sense of weariness regarding modern internet culture, noting that society seems to push for an era of “forced, toxic positivity” while completely ignoring real, complex human suffering. Despite these rapid structural shifts, the leader proudly stated, “Even in this fast-paced world, I desperately want BTS to protect the true romance and artistry of music.” He emphasized that music in 2026 has successfully evolved beyond just a simple audio file, transforming into a complete, multi-sensory experience that combines live stadium concerts, raw documentary filmmaking, and deep emotional connection.