Over the years, BTS has not only been a leading global music group but also a symbol with a strong influence on social issues, especially for the young generation around the world. The group has spoken out numerous times on contemporary topics such as gender equality, cultural diversity, and especially mental health and self-love.

Among them, RM has played the most active role in representing the group in addressing these issues to the global public, thanks to his fluent English and deep thinking. His statements not only represent the group but also serve as the voice of millions of young people — those who find empathy and motivation in his words.

One undeniable fact is that RM’s sharing, though simple and sincere, has a strong emotional impact and becomes a source of inspiration for many people. He has proven that a K-pop artist can absolutely become a cultural icon whose influence goes beyond the field of entertainment.

That’s why it comes as no surprise when even leaders, politicians, and global experts express respect and admiration for BTS in general and RM in particular. A typical example is Mr. Jim Yong Kim – former President of the World Bank – who mentioned BTS’s leader with great respect on the tvN program ‘No Way I’m an Adult’ recently.

On the show, Jim Yong Kim shared: “I was on a panel with BTS at the UN. RM gave a beautiful speech about how people should love themselves. It wasn't specifically about depression or su1c*de but it was wonderful, so there's the possibility that we can talk about this more effectively.”

The moment Kim referred to was RM’s famous speech at the United Nations in 2018, during the “Love Myself” campaign in partnership with UNICEF. Starting from his personal story about the journey of self-acceptance and healing the past, RM encouraged everyone — especially young people — to “speak yourself” and to “love yourself for who you are, no matter where you’re from.”

In the context where issues of mental health — specifically depression and νισℓєи¢є — are prominent worldwide, and especially severe in some Asian countries like South кσяєα and נαραи, his speech had an immediate and powerful impact. After the speech, the hashtag #SpeakYourself became a global trend, and millions of young people shared their stories and inspired one another on social media. The “Love Myself” campaign by BTS and UNICEF raised more than 5 million USD.

What’s even more valuable is that the speech still holds its meaning after many years, remembered as a historic moment and a source of spiritual motivation for many people around the world!

The fact that a former president of one of the world’s leading financial organizations — someone who has worked with many national leaders — publicly expressed admiration for RM is clear proof of the stature and value of the message BTS has built. Not merely an entertainment star, RM — along with BTS — has become a representative model of combining art, social awareness, and community responsibility.

On the other hand, not only through speeches at major events, RM and the BTS members have continuously provided emotional support to fans through music and online conversations over the years.

In a livestream in 2023, when an ARMY shared that they once wanted to ∂ιє, RM responded with deep empathy: “You wish you were ∂єα∂? I was the same too, you know, once... life is really fun, it is worth living. It is worth living.”

And when asked what to do when feeling ℓσѕт and lonely, he advised: “The only answer is just to enjoy the calmness and try to be friends with my own self. Nobody can save you, except you,” affirming that the value of life is soмєтнing worth holding on to, based on his own similar experience.

In the collaborative song Stop the Rain with Tablo, RM wrote some very powerful lyrics that openly expressed exhaustion and depression to dismantle the stigma that “only weak people suffer from depression.” He also mentioned his fear of the “27 Club” (legendary artists who ∂ιєd due to mental health issues at the age of 27) to help others recognize the risks and avoid romanticizing ∂єαтн.

Many other BTS songs also indirectly reflect mental health, such as Blue & Grey (written during the ¢σνι∂-19 pandemic), Magic Shop, Whalien 52, 00:00 (Zero O’Clock), Dis-ease... All are compositions that emphasize confronting, healing, and self-care with the goal of raising global mental health awareness.

A common trait is that RM and BTS never avoid emotional vulnerability. On the contrary, they bravely face their fears to show fans how positive energy can rise from pain — and how precious life truly is. That alone has already become a source of “healing” and “salvation” for countless people around the world!