Spanish media outlet El País published an interview with RM on March 12 (local time) that covered the success of K-Pop, the history of South Korea, and RM’s art collection.
The “K” stands for Korea, which is used in front of many types of content, including K-pop, and the reporter posed the question in reference to RM’s inclusion of songs from a variety of genres on the album.
When asked, “Do you think K-pop’s overwhelming success dehumanizes artists,” RM replied, “There’s not much time for individuals, but that’s what makes K-pop shine. In our 20s and 30s, we put all our energy and time into BTS,” he said, asking the reporter what the question was.
When the reporter repeated the question, he said, “My company hasn’t always liked how I answer it. But it’s partly what makes this such a special industry. And things have improved a lot, in terms of contracts, money, education. Now there are teachers, psychologists…”
When asked if the “worship of youth, of perfection, and overstraining in K-pop is a cultural trait of Korea,” RM said that “people in the West just don’t get it.”
“Korea is a country that has been invaded, devastated, torn in two. Just seventy years ago there was nothing. We were getting help from the IMF and the UN,” he said, “But now, the whole world is looking at Korea.”
“How did that happen?” he asked, “Because people are working fucking hard to improve themselves.”
RM told the reporter who asked the question, “You are in France or the UK, countries that have been colonizing others for centuries, and you come to me with “oh God, you put so much pressure on yourselves, life in Korea is so stressful!” Well yes. That’s how you get things done. And it’s part of what makes K-pop so appealing. Although of course there are shadows, everything that happens too fast and too intensely has side effects.”
When RM’s interview was released, people commented, “Is there anything he can’t do,” “He’s a really good talker,” and “That’s great. He’s a young guy, but I’m learning so much from him.”
BY BORAM LEE [lee.boram2@joongang.co.kr]
