Updated on: 22 April, 2025 01:59 PM IST |Amruta Karulkar
In the vibrant world of global pop music, few figures command attention not just for their artistry but for the depth and thoughtfulness of their words quite like Kim Namjoon, known worldwide as RM, the leader of the South Korean group BTS. Beyond the chart-topping hits and electrifying performances, RM has cultivated a reputation as an introspective thinker, a compelling speaker, and a source of profound inspiration for millions. From poignant lyrics and candid conversations with fans during live sessions to landmark speeches delivered on global stages like the United Nations , RM consistently explores universal human experiences: the journey of self-love, the necessity of acceptance, the path of personal growth, the importance of perseverance, the nuanced nature of happiness, and a quiet awareness of social realities. The recurrence of these themes across diverse platforms—formal speeches, interviews, casual interactions, and artistic concepts—points towards a deeply held, authentic personal philosophy rather than simply curated messages for specific occasions. This perceived genuineness likely fuels the significant impact his words have on his audience, offering validation and perspective.
1. Embracing Imperfection for Growth: Mistakes as Stars
“Maybe I made a mistake yesterday, but yesterday's me is still me. Today, I am who I am with all of my faults and my mistakes. Tomorrow, I might be a tiny bit wiser, and that's me, too. These faults and mistakes are what I am, making up the brightest stars in the constellation of my life. I have come to love myself for who I was, who I am, and who I hope to become.”This profound statement on self-acceptance was delivered during BTS's address to the United Nations General Assembly in September 2018. The speech launched UNICEF's "Generation Unlimited" initiative and was deeply intertwined with BTS's own "Love Myself" campaign. Standing on a global stage, RM chose not to project an image of flawless success but instead shared deeply personal reflections on his own journey, including his past struggles with societal pressures and learning to accept himself.
2. The Power of Speaking Yourself: Finding Your Authentic Voice
“No matter who you are, where you're from, your skin colour, your gender identity; just speak yourself. Find your name and find your voice by speaking yourself.”
Serving as the powerful concluding call to action in the same 2018 UN speech, this quote directly followed RM's personal narrative about losing his own voice and sense of self ("name") under the weight of others' expectations. He described trying to "jam myself into moulds that other people made" and eventually shutting out his own voice.
3. The Foundation: Loving Yourself First to Love Others
“If you want to love others, I think you should love yourself first.” (Often cited with variations like "I think the biggest love is the love for oneself..." )
This quote is one of RM's most widely circulated and consistently attributed sentiments. While appearing in numerous articles and fan collections, its origin is often linked to interviews, including one with Entertainment Tonight in 2017, where he reportedly stated, "I think the biggest love… is the love for one's self, so if you want to love others, I think you should love yourself first."
This idea became a foundational pillar of BTS's "Love Yourself" album series and their associated UNICEF campaign, which began in November 2017. RM has also connected this concept to personal experiences, such as navigating loneliness and realising that the search for self-love might be the most crucial pursuit.
4. Redefining Happiness: The Joy is in the Journey, Not Just the Destination
“Happiness is not something that you have to achieve, you can still feel happy during the process of achieving something.”This reflective quote appears in several lifestyle articles and compilations of RM's words. While precise dating is difficult, one source suggests it might date back to November 2015, and another notes such sentiments often arise during his interactions with fans on platforms like Weverse or during concerts. It reflects RM's ongoing contemplation on the nature of happiness, a theme he has revisited throughout his career.
5. Life as a Continuous Sculpture: Shaped by Experience and Error
“Life is a sculpture that you cast as you make mistakes and learn from them.”This evocative metaphor appears in multiple collections of RM's insightful quotes. Like the previous quote on happiness, it is often attributed to his more reflective moments shared during concerts or Weverse live sessions with fans. It beautifully encapsulates themes of personal agency, growth through learning, and the constructive role of errors in shaping one's path.
