“Time Feels Heavier Here”: BTS RM Shares Update from Military Life

BTS’ RM (aka Kim Namjoon) is sharing glimpses of his life in military service. His latest update is a thoughtful reflection on love, life, and the passage of time.

The 30-year-old K-pop rapper shared a thought-provoking update on fan platform on March 3.

He began his lengthy post, sharing, “Is it spring outside? Here in Hwacheon, it snowed 17 cm.

Meanwhile, some parts of Jeonbuk are over 20°C.

Korea really has four distinct seasons—pretty fascinating.

One of my juniors is randomly building an igloo in front of our quarters.

I feel like I’m going to make a lot of memories here. Life is unpredictable.”

RM expressed, “University students are starting their semester, kids are going back to school,

and I’ve finally dropped the first digit from my military service countdown.

Every day, I cross out a date on the calendar, like Robin Hood. Am I stranded? Maybe.

At night, after roll call, I always turn on my reading lamp.

Lately, I’ve been reading Erich Fromm’s The Art of Loving,

which I’ve been putting off for a while.”

The “Wild Flower” rapper talked extensively about love in a Weverse post, “But “the art of love”—what does that even mean?

Can love really be something you practice?

The book’s point is:

We put in hours of practice to get better at painting, playing guitar, or studying…

But when it comes to love, the most important thing in life,

we just expect to do it naturally, with no effort.”

He added, “Modern society glorifies love as just intense emotions and dramatic moments, but in reality, love is about commitment, promises, and decisions.

Love has different types, different temperatures, different expressions.

And for us—where love isn’t one-on-one, but one-to-many, many-to-one—

What does it really mean?

As someone who creates music,

What am I making, and what are people hearing?

What are we all looking at,

and what are we choosing to love?”

RM continued, “What kind of determination did I have when I stood in front of you all?

Anyway, I recommend giving the book a read at least once.

(Some ideas might feel a bit outdated since it’s over 50 years old, though.)

He expressed his eagerness to return to civilian life, “Three months left—18% to go.

I mean, I doubt I’ll die before then.

I’ll make sure to return healthy.

Time feels heavier here, like a gravity

It’s going slow as hell,

but even if you hang a military clock upside down, it still ticks

So I’ll try flipping it upside down, spinning it 540 degrees—whatever works

I’ll take this time to realign my heart & thoughts before I return.

I have so many stories to share, both through music and words.”

The BTS leader concluded his post, saying, “Spring is coming. No, actually, it’s already here!

(Meanwhile, I’m still shoveling 17 cm of snow…)

If you start feeling a little warm,

just know that soon enough,

I’ll be back to bother you all relentlessly.

Until then, live your best lives.

Now, I’m off to finish my webtoon.

I love you all, today and always.

This is my decision and my promise.

I miss you!

Summer, hurry up and get here already!

And those damn cicadas—where are you?!”

Meanwhile, RM along with V, began his military service in December 2023, their military discharge is scheduled for June 10.