BTS' RM Talks About the Band's Identity, 'Fighting Demons', and the Meaning of Life | Cover Story

For Rolling Stone's eight-part May 2026 cover-story package, the seven members of ‪@BTS‬ met up in Seoul, South Korea in mid-February to talk with senior writer Brian Hiatt, both individually and as a group. In this solo interview, #rm opens up about rediscovering his love for music during military service, his contrarian streak, how he finds meaning, why he's trying to live in the moment, and much more. #bts #btsarmy #rmbts on his solo work: "I started music just on the streets and by rapping. And I just can't resist that." RM on his nature as an artist: "When everybody is saying yes, I really want to say no." RM on moving on from his military service: "That experience, hitting the rock bottom psychologically…that helps me. 'Yo, this is now, I'm sleeping on my bed. I'm good.'" RM on trying to live in the present: "I really miss the time that I just walked in the rain and thought of everything.” RM on his state of mind "That essential sorrow…it's always there in some part of my heart..I'm still fighting the demons. [But] I think life is fun. And living is better.” Read the Rolling Stone interview with RM here: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/mu... ON SALE NOW: 'BTS: The Cover Collection' brings all 8 covers together in one set, the best way to secure the full collection. Tap to shop, while supplies last: https://shop.rollingstone.com/ ⸻ Talent — RM Interviewer & Senior Writer — Brian Hiatt Director of Social & Video — Waiss Aramesh Executive Producer & Shoot Director — Christopher Hwisu Kim Senior Producer — Viviane Feldman Producer & Colorist — Mitch Saavedra Social Video Producer/Editor — Sim Tumay Moktan Productions Video Director of Photography — Mike Beech Gaffer and Camera Operator — Wonman Kim Camera Operators — Byeong Hwi Min, Churl Gwon, Hyunsuh Paik DIT — Jiwoon Lee Sound Operator — Min Jae Lee Production Assistant — Seohyun Yoon Nuhana Executive Producer — Sooh Hwang Producer — Sebin Park Line Producer — Cherry Lee Translators Alex M. Lee, Sungbin Moon Creative Director — Joe Hutchinson Executive Music Editor — Christian Hoard Editors in Chief — Sean Woods & Shirley Halperin CEO — Julian Holguin    / rollingstone