When BTS's RM played peacemaker between Jin and V during a bitter fight: 12 years of his iconic leadership

BTS’ leader RM (born Kim Nam-joon) is a man of many facets. On stage, he can ignite the crowd with his fiery rap or, in a softer moment, gently sing a song like 4 O’Clock alongside V. Offstage, he’s known to clown around, trying to hit high notes and leaving his bandmates in stitches. ARMY knows that if RM had his way, he’d spend his holidays searching for crabs or wandering art museums—far from the pressures of leading a global phenomenon.

But above all, it’s his role as leader that commands the greatest respect and admiration—from both his bandmates and ARMY alike. RM’s strength lies in guiding his members through tough questions, steering them clear of controversies, mediating conflicts, and offering comforting hugs when emotions run high.

As RM prepares to return from military service, let’s take a look back at some of his most memorable and iconic leadership moments.

An interviewer once asked J-Hope, “Which K-Pop band do you think will break next in the US?” While this might have been an innocent question, such queries have landed the band in trouble back on the home front. In the video, as J-Hope is about to answer, RM whispers to him in Korean saying, ‘Be careful.’ Instantly, the mood changes and all the band members joke around and answer, “BTS? I think BTS will.”

When it’s time for business, it’s business. RM, as much as he enjoys his dose of fun, knows when to buckle down, and moreover, get his members to do so too. In one video that never fails to go viral, as the band receives an award on stage, Jungkook, V and Jimin can’t stop giggling. RM glares at them, hoping that they will get a message, but they don’t, so he walks calmly past to the other side, but not without giving Jungkook a sobering tap on the back.

Tensions flared between V and Jin during the 2017 Wings Tour over a timing issue in the choreography. The argument escalated just ten minutes before showtime and left both members on the verge of tears. RM stepped in as a mediator—he hugged V, delivered a calming pep talk to the group, and reminded them they were one team on stage, not just individuals. Later, he quietly checked on everyone, acknowledging their stress while emphasizing that fans shouldn’t see their inner struggles.

If there’s one thing that RM doesn’t like to see, among others of course, it’s to see Jungkook upset and discouraged. During one of his Lives, he once said, “Jungkook cried a little while ago, and that’s the only thing on my mind right now. Jungkook, if you’re watching this, there’s always a hug for you.”

Festa 2022 remains unforgettable for ARMY, marked by an emotional moment when RM tearfully expressed the need for the band to take a break. His heartfelt honesty, however, led to widespread confusion—many fans feared BTS was disbanding or going on an indefinite hiatus. As panic spread, RM stepped in once again to steady the ship. He reassured fans that BTS wasn’t going anywhere; he was simply being transparent about where they stood and how they needed time to reflect and grow. The message was clear: BTS would always be there.

When asked about a potential Justin Bieber collaboration, the interviewer referred to it as a dream. RM didn’t miss a beat: “It’s not a dream. We’re in the same company—we’re company friends. It hasn’t happened yet. So if you see this video, friend, call us. Or come to Korea.” Subtle, sharp, and oh-so-RM.

RM has become a leader to ARMY as well, often standing up for them—especially when they're dismissed as 'crazy fans.' He doesn’t hesitate to call out anyone, from interviewers to James Corden, for making offhand remarks about ARMY, even in jest.