Since debuting in 2013, BTS has seen their fame and influence grow to unexpected heights. Through the members’ hard work, BTS has become showcased their global influence at some of the biggest global events to discuss important subjects.
Yet, RM recently opened up about the pressures he sometimes feels, especially when it comes to their influence.
On May 31, BTS met with U.S. President Joe Biden to discuss anti-Asian hate crimes, the importance of Asian inclusion, and more.
The group publically appeared in front of reporters at Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre‘s press briefing, which began just after 2:30 PM (ET). During the meeting, all the members discussed topics on the subject, and RM was no different, explaining the importance of the meeting. He said infront of thousands of people watching that: "We’re BTS, and it is a great honor to be invited to The White House today to discuss important issues of anti-Asian hate crimes, Asian inclusion, and diversity".
The group then met President Biden and the politician couldn’t stop praising the members. President Joe Biden explained to BTS that so many people care about their words and the influence they have: "People care a lot about what you say, and what you’re doing is good for all people. It’s not just your great talent, it’s the message you’re communicating. It matters".
Yet, in a recent interview that RM did with Pharrel Williams for Rolling Stone, RM, first time, can shared his deep thought, worries and insecurities about the pressures of being seen to represent the Asian Community. He started by sharing what BTS started as a representative of the voice of the community and the country. He talked about what a surprising opportunity it was to be at the United Nations and meet the president.
RM stated: "As a team, we’ve been to the U.N., and we also met President Biden. We never thought these things [would happen], but I think naturally we became one of the representatives from the Asian community."
However, he also shares the burden that comes with it when members are repeatedly labeled as representing the "Asian Community", especially when the recent event has the theme of hate. Asian people. He or BTS in general becomes skeptical of his responsibilities and their competence. They fear that they are not responsible enough and have not done well enough with what people expect.
He want to get advice from Pharrell: "I’m always thinking to myself, “Am I that good? Do I deserve all the responsibilities?” And I’m really doubting myself. I’ve heard that you do a lot of stuff for the community. So I wonder how you deal with all the responsibilities to be good and moral."
Then Pharrell by sharing his story brought an inspiring response to RM. He also emphasized how much BTS is doing at a time when Asians all over the world are suffering a lot of hate.
He told RM: "I love what it is that you represent at such a time when our Asian brothers and sisters and fellow Asian human beings, who might not identify in a binary way, are going through so much. The Asian community has been going through so much, and the Asian community has given me so much. I feel like your energy, you’re also showing artists, period, that you can be humble."
In interview, there are some lines, he continued by told about his situation to clarify for RM: "I mean, the [charity] work that I do, there’s always a circumstance. Either I’d say some dumb shit and then regret it later, or there’s been a time when I have a record that sort of affected a certain portion of a demographic. So then it made me think about things differently. And then I go set up a [nonprofit] and act against the ignorance that I was a part of. And educate myself, enlighten myself. Then other times, I also do it because of what you just said.
When you ask yourself, “Man, am I good enough?” Or, “Do I deserve all this?” I think what makes it easier for me to sleep at night is when I go do that work. It helps answer those questions. It’s like, wherever there was a deficit in your confidence of you deserving to be here or getting that kind of awe from the fans, wherever the minus is, this adds to it."
If that wasn’t enough, Pharrel even shared that it was BTS’s energy and personality that also truly shone: "Your guys’ energy is a lot of humility you all vibrate, I think that’s a great energy."
RM has never been afraid to showcase his vulnerability when it comes to the topic of the group. Whether it’s the pressures of their popularity or the “laws” of K-Pop, RM wears his heart on his sleeve and shows that idols are human.
