BTS' RM thanks fans on 30th birthday, reflects on military service

BTS singer RM performs onstage as a member of the 15th Infantry Division’s marching band at a tomato festival in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province, Aug. 2. Yonhap

RM, a member of the K-pop juggernaut BTS, shared a heartfelt message with fans on his birthday, Thursday, expressing gratitude and reflecting on his ongoing military service.

Through a post on Weverse, an online fan communication platform, RM began by acknowledging the milestone. "I'm 30 now (already…), " he began, thanking fans for celebrating his birthday.

"Thank you so much for sending me such sincere congratulations on this day, which even I often felt was insignificant," the BTS frontman wrote. "You know that I'm hanging in there thanks to all of you, right?"

RM also shared words of comfort with his fans, quoting a Buddhist saying, "Live by relying only on yourself as your lamp." He explained that he recalls this saying whenever he feels unsettled or experiences anger without reason during his military service in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province.

"There are so many things I want to say right now," RM continued, "But for today, I think I'll let a few pictures on Instagram do the talking."

RM, who began his mandatory military service last December, also shared an update on his service, saying he has reached the halfway point. "My military life has now reached its halfway point. It's like the halfway mark of the 3-kilometer run at Nonsan Training Center where I was gasping for breath. Time flies," he wrote.

RM concluded the post by urging fans to stay healthy and expressing his love for them. "Please stay healthy, with good days, good words and good hearts. I love you."

Meanwhile, RM donated 100 million won ($74,600) to the Everyone's Veterans Dream project on Thursday, marking his birthday. The donation was part of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs' Uniform Worker Appreciation Campaign, which seeks to promote respect and appreciation for uniformed workers, including military personnel, police, firefighters and prison officers.

The BTS singer is expected to complete his service and be discharged in June 2025, alongside bandmate V.