Some people celebrate their birthdays with cake and candles. Some with a big party. But BTS leader RM has chosen a path that speaks louder than any celebration. He gave the gift of hope to those in need.
On September 12, RM marked his special day by donating a total of 200 million won (around 1.2 crore INR) to two major hospitals in South Korea.
The 29-year-old rapper and songwriter sent 100 million won each to Seoul Asan Medical Center and Korea University Medical Center. Instead of receiving gifts, RM decided to give back.
“I wanted to take part in something meaningful for my birthday,” RM said in a statement. “I hope this donation can be even a small help for patients who are struggling financially to receive treatment.”
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Both hospitals shared how the funds will be used. Seoul Asan Medical Center explained that RM’s donation will help cover treatment and surgery costs for underprivileged patients who can’t afford them.
Korea University Medical Center announced that his contribution will go toward improving the clinical environment and expanding medical services.
But RM isn’t just a kind soul. He is also one of the most successful K-pop artists. The artist first made waves in the underground Korean hip-hop scene as a teenager.
In 2010, he joined Big Hit Entertainment. And, by June 2013, RM debuted as the leader of BTS.
Since then, RM has helped lead the group to global superstardom. It has broken records and completely reshaped the music industry. He has also built an impressive solo career.
His first mixtape, ‘RM’ (2015), was followed by ‘Mono’ (2018). It reached number 26 on the US Billboard 200. This is a record for a Korean solo artist at that time.
In 2022, RM released his first full solo album, ‘Indigo’. It featured collaborations with international stars like Erykah Badu and Anderson .Paak. The album reached number three on Billboard 200. This went on to become the highest-charting Korean solo project ever.
His second studio album, ‘Right Place, Wrong Person’ (2024), saw him experiment with alternative sounds and received critical praise. It peaked at number five on Billboard 200.
Beyond his own work, RM has collaborated with a wide range of artists. That includes Wale, Fall Out Boy, Megan Thee Stallion, Tablo, and Lil Nas X.