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RM (Nam Joon Kim)
Also known as: Namjoon, 랩몬스터, 김남준, Rap Monster, Kim Nam Jun, Runch Randa
Date of birth: 12 September 1994 (32 years old)
Country: South Korean
Kim Nam Joon, formerly known professionally as Rap Monster and currently known as RM, is a South Korean singer-songwriter, dancer, producer, composer and member of BTS (방탄소년단). He graduated from Apgujeong High School and later obtained a bachelor's degree in Broadcasting Entertainment from Global Cyber University and a master's degree in Advertising Media from Hanyang Cyber University. He has an IQ of 148 but has never taken the test to become a member of Mensa International.
Before debuting, he was an underground rapper under the stage name Runch Randa. He released a number of tracks and once collaborated with fellow underground rapper Zico.
He made his debut in June 2013 (using the stage name Rap Monster) as the group's leader and main rapper with the single album, "2 Cool 4 Skool". BigHit Music (빅히트 뮤직) originally planned BTS as a hip-hop group, so it was not until 2016 that they began expanding their music to incorporate more genres. Their second studio album, "Wings", became the first to sell one million copies in South Korea, and the following year, they began paving the way for K-pop in the United States by receiving a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for their single "Mic Drop".
In March 2015, he released his first mixtape titled "RM". Then, in November 2017, he decided to change his stage name from Rap Monster to RM.
In 2018, all members were awarded the fifth-class Hwagwan Order of Cultural Merit by the President of South Korea for his contributions to Korean culture.
In July 2021, all members were appointed as Special Presidential Envoy for Future Generations and Culture by then President Moon Jae In to help "lead the global agenda for future generations, such as sustainable growth" and "expand South Korea's diplomatic efforts and global standing" in the international community.
In June 2022, BigHit announced the group would go on hiatus as all members would focus on individual activities for the time being. In December 2022, he made his debut as a solo artist with his first solo album, "Indigo". He has co-composed and co-produced over 160 songs and has collaborated with many artists both domestically and internationally.
He enlisted for his mandatory military service on December 11, 2023, and was discharged on June 10, 2025.
