In any area of life, criticism between individuals is an inevitable part of the process. It can be understood positively—as a way to help someone improve their weaknesses—but it can also take on a negative meaning, aiming to tear down or defame someone.
K-pop is no exception! In fact, it has given rise to a particular group known as “haters.” I would argue that haters in the K-pop industry are among the most toxic and troublesome, as they closely follow the idols they dislike and attack every aspect they can—appearance, behavior, work, and even private life. Beyond that, they may fabricate rumors or spread false information, causing the idol to be misunderstood and disliked by the public.
Almost every K-pop idol, to some extent, lives with anxiety about haters. In the most severe cases, the harsh judgments and relentless criticism from this group have led some idols into depression, and tragically, some have even chosen to end their own lives.
For top-tier K-pop superstars like RM, the attacks are even more intense. It is not easy to keep a cool head and stay unaffected by those who constantly judge you. Yet RM does not shy away from confrontation; instead, he chooses to face criticism head-on, and his attitude toward detractors consistently earns the wholehearted support and admiration of fans.
Most recently, RM didn’t hesitate to call out troublemakers directly with a thought-provoking post on his personal Instagram. In what appeared to be a post commemorating his recent 31st birthday, he shared a collection of photos documenting his recent activities, including visits to art exhibitions.
Among these photos, the third image immediately drew major attention—it featured a кσяєαn quote that can be translated as: "The dog barks, but the train keeps going. Will the dog reflect? Will the train reflect?".
This line uses metaphorical imagery to convey a message of perseverance and staying unaffected by criticism. The barking dog represents haters who continuously criticize and attack, while the moving train symbolizes a person’s path or career.
The questions “Will the dog reflect?" and "Will the train reflect?" emphasize that neither the dog nor its barking has the power to change the train’s course; only the conductor decides where it goes. RM’s message here is: “Even with criticism and harαѕѕment from the outside, I will keep moving forward. Those words cannot change my direction.”
This powerful statement has been applauded not only by fans but also by netizens: "SAY IT LOUDER MY KING..", "louder for the people at the back!!!!", "We stan an unbothered king", "Yup the train will always be moving forward, bark all u want", "What’s next after seven? MY MAN ATE AND LEFT NO CRUMBS", "He directly called his haters as dogs , slay", "Joonie just spitting the facts, so savage", "Always admire RM's attitude toward haters",...
In fact, RM has often expressed a similar philosophy through his speeches, fan conversations, interviews, and even his music.
In “Do You” (RM’s 2015 mixtape), he talks about the pressure of public opinion and being misunderstood, reflecting his weariness in facing constant criticism. But in the end, he concludes with an important lesson: to ignore those who speak ill of him and focus only on himself and his goals.
“Persona” (with BTS, Map of the Soul: Persona, 2019) questions his identity after being buried under judgment and gossip, but ultimately he moves forward with confidence.
“Forever Rain” (from Indigo, 2022) expresses loneliness and the weight of outside pressure, but he remains calm in the face of criticism. Even when it “rains negativity,” he keeps walking forward.
In a livestream with fans some time ago, RM candidly admitted that criticism is never easy to deal with, but he chooses not to let it affect his spirit or his work.
In another recent livestream, RM shared similar thoughts, saying that when BTS comes back with a new album, there will inevitably be judgment and criticism, but, in his own words: “no matter how heavy the weight gets, we'll keep doing our thing without getting crushed under it. We'll contain all those concerns and thoughts into the album.”
RM has truly forged a steel-like spirit and a resilient heart to keep the “train” on the right track for over a decade! With such unshakable determination, it’s clear that his and BTS’s destination is far beyond just a few stops—it will only keep moving further ahead.
