Debuting in 2013, throughout their 10 years of career, BTS in general and RM in particular have not only built their reputation but also know how to use their influence to spread positive values to young people. specifically and кσяєαn citizens, globally in general. Recently, RM was even honored to be appointed as the Public Relations Amba̾s̾sador of the кσяєαn Remains Search and Investigation Team.
Not only is this the most special amba̾s̾sador title ever in the history of K-pop, but it also proves the beautiful core values that RM is pursuing. Thereby, many fans recalled the profound views RM once shared about xenophobia, discrimination, and masculinity in a previous interview.
Here are RM's thoughts on the above issues, showing how deserving of his new amba̾s̾sadorial title and his good personality:
On May 31, кσяєαn media reported that RM had been appointed as the public relations ambassador of the the ministry's Ki11ed in Action Recovery & Identification organisation, aka MAKRI. The Ministry of Defense's Excavation Team is an organization dedicated to exhuming the remains of sol∂ιєrs ḳïŀŀed in the кσяєαn War and returning their remains to their families.
RM will participate in various media activities to promote this project. Information about RM's new Amba̾s̾sador project received many compliments because of its community nature, bringing a message of harmony based on the humanitarian aspect, overcoming disputes and conflicts. The title of Amba̾s̾sador is not encapsulated in the fashion field, RM is showing a different path thanks to his influence.
But not only at the present time, does RM carry out beautiful ideals to spread good living values to the community, but since he started becoming a K-pop artist, he has always tried his best to do it. Through music, speeches and appeals, RM has repeatedly encouraged an equal life and mutual love, regardless of skin color, ethnicity, gender, etc. Especially from the song. His speech to the United Nations panel in 2018 became legendary.
Not only that, RM also took many opportunities to talk about issues of ŕäċïṩṃ, discrimination and masculinity in the context of the music industry. In a previous interview with Rolling Stone, RM directly shared his views on three important issues affecting K-pop artists in general and BTS in particular, not just as a musician but also as a person experiencing it.
All of us and RM are aware that this world is still full of injustice no matter how people try to erase it. But when discussing a utopian and backward life in the future, far from today's world context, a world rife with víσlєncє and discrimination against Asians, RM chose perceive the actual darkness and turn to the light.
He shared: "This is a very serious and deep question. Now, of course, there is no utopia. There’s a light side; there’s always going to be a dark side. The way we think is that everything that we do, and our existence itself, is contributing to the hope for leaving this xenophobia, these negative things, behind."
Although accepting a part of the darkness in life but not resigning, RM believes that acknowledging reality will help him and BTS f̾i̾g̾h̾t ̾ against such discrimination strongly. They also raise the hope that the victims will "take energy and strength" from BTS to be able to overcome. He also points out that there is still good to be found in “people who are very accepting.”
RM continued, "It’s our hope, too, that people in the minority will draw some energy and strength from our existence. Yes, there’s xenophobia, but there are also a lot of people who are very accepting… The fact that we have faced success in the United States is very meaningful in and of itself."
Even with the successes and certain changes in the above stereotypes, BTS and RM still face certain barriers in terms of gender, ethnicity and discrimination. For example, people intentionally rarely play BTS's кσяєαn songs in the US or sometimes there are hosts who openly ĨŃŚÚĹŤ and criticize BTS...
Despite being at the peak of global fame, even after receiving a GRAMMY nomination and becoming one of the most sought-after artists on the planet, BTS still had to struggle. Even so, RM remains positive. “If they feel it, I think they will change,” he said. “The barriers are still breaking down. It keeps going on and on.”
Besides xen0phobia and discrimination, RM also mentioned masculinity and how BTS approached this "outdated" concept. "The labels of what being masculine is, is an outdated concept. It is not our intention to break it down. But if we are making a positive impact, we are very thankful. We live in an age where we shouldn’t have those labels or have those restrictions", he said.
Indeed, it is a perfect and bold perspective because even кσяєα itself is a country where the issue of masculinity, as well as LGBT, is very sensitive. But RM is full of confidence to mention it and even wishes positive thoughts to spread.
BTS and RM's journey to the pinnacle of fame and career in the past decade is also the journey they try to convey messages to create a better world with human values. Proud to be able to be a fan of amazing people like RM and BTS!
