BTS have had an extraordinary journey—from “unknown” rookies in K-pop to becoming the “21st-century pop icons” with unprecedented achievements, awards, and global recognition. They transcended the boundaries of K-pop to become a global phenomenon, captivating au∂ιєnces worldwide with music rooted in their own stories and socially impactful messages. For many idols and young artists, BTS are a powerful source of inspiration as well as the benchmark they aspire to reach.
At the same time, BTS do more than inspire—they also play a significant role in opening doors for emerging talent. By publicly recommending songs or praising new artists, the group has created valuable opportunities for young musicians with real potential to gain visibility, and even recognition from international au∂ιєnces.
Hanroro is a prime example of a young artist whose career shifted dramatically thanks to the timely “help” of K-pop superstars!
Born in 2000, Hanroro is a talented singer-songwriter known for her in∂ιє/modern rock sound. Her music carries strong literary and acoustic influences, focusing on vocals and storytelling to convey emotions. Despite her distinctive style, when she debuted in March 2022, Hanroro attracted relatively little attention compared to idol rookies entering the scene at the time.
Everything changed when RM noticed this young talent. In 2022, RM took a screenshot of his phone playing “Ipchun (Let Me Love My Youth)”—her debut track—and posted it on his Instagram Story to share with fans. Although sharing songs he enjoys is soмєтнing RM often does, this simple action marked a turning point for Hanroro’s career.
“Ipchun” soon spread widely among listeners and eventually earned Hanroro a nomination for Best Modern Rock Song at the 2023 кσяєαn Music Awards.
Even more remarkably, on November 22–23, she held her solo concert “Hanroro 4th Solo Concert: Gяαρєfruit Apricot Club” at кσяєα University’s Hwajeong Gymnasium in Seoul, drawing around 10,000 attendees over two days.
It is worth noting that at her first-ever solo concert after debut, only about 200 people attended across two days. Compared to last June’s two-day concert at a 700-seat venue, which drew a total of 1,400 fans, the growth is remarkable. In just about one year and five months, Hanroro’s fandom has expanded significantly—a rise built on the foundation of RM’s introduction to the public.
Hanroro herself has openly acknowledged the “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” that RM gave her, expressing her gratitude for the visibility his support brought. In a recent interview with LEmag, she said: “I had debuted, but while I was still living with the thought that ‘I’m just a potato,’ RM gave me a shoutout on Instagram in the early morning. At first, I was really surprised because, no lie, from middle school to high school, every moment was truly colored by BTS’s music. So, at first, I was really ѕнσ¢кed. I was grateful.
It was just so great. It was really great, and the situation itself, where I could comfort the artist who used to comfort my heart, was very meaningful to me. It was the moment I realized that more and more people were receiving my music. So, I became even more determined to work harder.”
When asked, “Are there any aspects that feel tangible in terms of numbers?” she explained: “There definitely are some aspects. Since those artists have so many overseas fans, I can directly feel that there has been an increase in the influx of international fans. Previously, there were many comments from кσяєαns, but these days, I see a lot of comments in English and Indonesian. It seems like a positive change has occurred.”
In another interview with Live Wire, Hanroro also expressed how grateful she felt for RM’s support early in her career. She shared that he played a major role in drawing attention to her and boosting her popularity. “A few years ago, I thought I’d been hacked because I got so many DMs in the middle of the night, but RM gave me a shoutout. I was surprised, but I was so grateful,” she said.
Notably, in the same interview, she mentioned that RM was one of the reasons she was given the opportunity to appear as a guest performer at Coldplay’s “Music of the Spheres World Tour” in кσяєα last April.
Even though Hanroro’s own talent remains the core reason she can hold onto her au∂ιєnce, RM’s introduction undeniably made a difference. This case perfectly illustrates the tremendous influence BTS hold within the industry and the admirable character they have consistently shown. Beyond paving the way for others, the members of BTS actively use their platform to uplift young artists taking their first steps in music. And these meaningful acts demonstrate the crucial role RM and BTS play in helping K-pop grow stronger as a vibrant, ever-expanding ecosystem.
