On this day, HYBE has become one of the leading entertainment empires in the industry, surpαѕѕing long-established giants like SM, YG, and JYP. Its 19-story headquarters in Yongsan now stands as a symbol of how far the company has come — from a nearly unknown label burdened with mαѕѕive debt when it debuted BTS, to a global powerhouse.

But as the saying goes, “You can’t move forward without looking back”! The foundation of what would become today’s HYBE empire was laid in the cramped basement of a shabby seven-story building in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam. That old Big Hit headquarters is where countless memories of hardship and ambition were made — the birthplace of dreams that would later shape global superstars.

After BTS and the staff moved to the new building, the old address never left their hearts. It became a “pilgrimage site” for ARMYs from around the world, a place where fans could trace the group’s humble beginnings. Nearby, the Yujeong Restaurant — where BTS often ate when they were still poor trainees — also became a beloved landmark.

Yet it isn’t only the fans who cherish that place; the BTS members themselves have never forgotten where it all began. During a live broadcast on October 5, RM revealed that he had recently revisited the old neighborhood for the first time in years — a revelation that moved fans deeply.

He shared that he took a walk around Nonhyeon-dong, the area that used to be their “home” in the early days of their career.

“Two days ago, I did a tour of the area where we used to live — Nonhyeon-dong,” RM said. “There’s also Yujeong Restaurant, you know, we tried to sneak in and eat, but the owners are older now and weren’t there, and there were also a lot of fans, so I couldn’t actually eat.”

When RM mentioned the restaurant, his words carried a quiet sense of nostalgia. It’s a fragment of his youth — a time of struggle, pαѕѕion, and unwavering determination. He also fondly remembered the warmth of the restaurant’s owner, whom Jungkook once said treated them “like her own sons.”

According to accounts from staff and BTS themselves, the elderly lady often referred to the group as “those poor boys” because they always looked exhausted after long hours of practice and had to ration their meals after debuting with little money. She was known for letting them eat on credit or giving them free side dishes, always reminding them to eat well so they could stay strong for training.

Unfortunately, RM couldn’t see her this time or ask about her health. The changes in the restaurant served as a gentle reminder of the pαѕѕage of time — and how much both he and the world around him have evolved.

RM also mentioned that he visited their old practice studio — once the setting for their early dance videos — and the workspace where the members wrote songs, brainstormed, and filmed the “Kim Daily” vlogs before they became world-famous.

“We saw the old practice studio — it now looks like a storage room full of lights. Then we visited the old workspace, thinking about all the conversations we had there, and how we used to film Kim (vlogs) and all those things. It feels like we live off of nostalgia and was like...I guess I’ve become an uncle now,” he said.

Returning to the place where BTS grew up, RM wasn’t just revisiting a building — he was meeting his past self: a young man filled with anxiety, ambition, and faith. For someone as introspective as RM, this visit clearly stirred deep reflection.

Many fans were moved when he said, “It feels like we live off of nostalgia.” ARMYs believe his trip to Nonhyeon-dong was more than a spontaneous visit — it was a journey of the soul. Some even speculate that the emotions he felt there may serve as inspiration for his next musical project.

Fans have since shared their empathy and heartfelt reactions online, saying that RM’s words reminded them of the beauty of remembering where we come from — and the power of cherishing the road that led us here:

- Oh my heart ,that’s so Namjoon. The way he gets nostalgic over places that hold history, quietly observing instead of stepping in… it’s such a “Joon” moment. The humility, the self-awareness, the tenderness and that little “I’ve become an ahjussi” joke to wrap it all in humor

- It’s like he’s watching his own past from a distance,the old building, the memories, the growth, everything that shaped BTS and him. He never forgets where he came from, and that’s what makes him so grounded and special.

- I can't imagine how he feels! I had nostalgia for soмєтнing I didn't even Live through when I visited the restaurant.

- Truly wished he would meet the owners someday soon. And I would love this for him. Nostalgia and the sense of gratitude will always нιт memory core. Hope he could have his moment with them.

- its just so nice to hear them feel the same as we do

- Anyone who had been there will know how he feels, it’s a feeling you can’t describe

- He is such a beautiful and truly wholesome soul

- why this is bringing tears in my eyes

- Do you think he went there to find some inspiration for his next songs? It really sounds like soмєтнing RM would do.

- I can totally see him turning these emotions into lyrics for his upcoming album. He’s always been the kind of artist who writes straight from the heart.

- This visit wasn’t just about nostalgia — it was an emotional awakening for him. I bet it helped him a lot in creating the upcoming album.