BTS’s RM is under fire after a journalist linked his military struggles to the NewJeans controversy, sparking backlash from fans.
RM and V were recently discharged from the military. At the ceremony, fans noticed RM’s trembling hands, signaling heavy emotions. During his first post-discharge livestream, RM opened up about his insomnia and mental health battles while in service.
RM said:
"To be honest I’m still scared of the night even now. I’m scared of the fact that I have to sleep. Lying down and being still for 3 to 4 hours is truly hell."
He revealed his insomnia worsened around April to May 2023, coinciding with turmoil at HYBE, including conflicts with former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin.
A viral article titled “RM Stressed Over the NewJeans Controversy? ‘There Were Times I Didn’t Sleep for Three Days.’” claimed RM’s sleep issues stemmed from company conflicts during that period.
The article quoted RM:
"Military life was very tough. Not just the military itself, but I really struggled with sleep…There was a time when I didn’t sleep a single minute for 78 hours. There was just too much going on outside."
"I had to do my military duties, but I couldn’t function without sleep. I eventually started taking sleeping pills, but they caused side effects, and I couldn’t live normally."
The conflict referenced was HYBE’s audit and criminal complaint against Min Hee Jin over management control of ADOR.
Fans slammed the journalist for dragging NewJeans and Min Hee Jin into RM’s personal struggles, calling it trash journalism.
Fan reactions included:
"Look at that trash journalist headline."
"The level of trash journalism, wow."
"Nice job, trash journalist."
RM’s honest remarks on mental health are being overshadowed by a misleading article tying him to unrelated controversies. The situation is gaining traction as fans defend RM’s integrity.
