BTS announced that they would be shifting their focus to individual activities last year, moving forward with “chapter two” for the group after nine years.
As announced in their 2022 FESTA dinner video, the members have been releasing solo music, transforming what would have been material for mixtapes into full albums, and channeling their creativity into a work that’s uniquely their own.
We’ve been talking with each other a lot about how we need to separate even just a little bit to know how to put ourselves together again, and how [time apart] can be very important.
— BTS’s J-Hope
For each member, that journey toward putting “[themselves] together again” has looked different, but they’ve had the same love and support from their fellow members and ARMYs in their individual pursuits.
BTS’s RM opened up to Vogue Korea about what he’s been up to over the past year, and how he continues to challenge himself with his solo activities.
RM has been focused on art and music. He released his debut solo album in December 2022, and before wrapping his promotions he announced that he already had new music in the works.
He’s also been expanding his creative circle, meeting with “a wide range of new people” to collaborate with.
I find myself meeting and working with a wide range of new people these days. This is quite refreshing and inspiring because I was used to working either alone or with just a few people.
— BTS’s RM
RM has long been known for his love and appreciation of the arts, and he often spends his free time visiting art galleries and museums, and has an impressive art collection himself. ARMYs have been inspired by RM’s love for the arts and many have visited art exhibits themselves because of RM’s influence.
During his interview, he was asked how he feels about using his platform to share art, and he got real about his role as an “art influencer.”
I’ve spoken about this a few times elsewhere, but I think of an Instagram account — especially that of a public figure — as a channel of curation. It shows what the account holder is interested in, what they want to reveal and express about themselves.
— BTS’s RM
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Although he’s become known for spreading love for the arts, RM shared that taking on the role has had its burdens, but if he can encourage younger generations to take interest in ancient art forms and Korean art, then he feels it’s worth it.
I do find my role as some kind of art influencer burdensome at times, but I post about these art shows and works in the hope that people who like me and follow me on social media will also get some enjoyment out of it. Especially so because I’d like members of the young generation, including myself, to take more interest in modern and contemporary Korean art as well as ancient art forms.
— BTS’s RM
He also opened up about his own creative process, and how he chooses artists to collaborate with on music. Check out more on that in the article below!
BTS’s RM Gets Real About How He Chooses Artists To Collaborate With
