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All the Dating Rumours that Have Swirled Around BTS’ Leader RM aka Kim Namjoon

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The most powerful, popular K-pop group in the world is no stranger to rumours and controversies — particularly of the romantic kind. Over the years, the seven members of BTS have had to thwart several dating speculations — including the leader RM (or Kim Namjoon). Here’s a look at a few — some based on logic, others entirely fabricated (or Fake Love if you will) — that he’s been involved in.

In South Korea, the Entertainment industry believes in staying tight-lipped about romantic equations. Every now and then, however, news about certain celebrities dating comes to light. Some, like singer-actor IU and Lee Jong-suk, are based on facts and backed up by official statements from the individuals in question and their agencies. Others, like actor Ji Chang-wook and BLACKPINK’s Jennie, are mere rumours. No surprise that BTS — the biggest, most powerful K-pop boy group — has also had to cope with them. That said, none of the seven members has ever admitted to seeing someone, each maintaining their singlehood on camera.

However, with a string of hit romantic songs to their name — many written by them — the speculations are here to stay. Particularly for the leader of BTS, Kim Namjoon, whom many fans believe to be ‘marriage material’ and built for commitment. In fact, news of him having a wife and kids often do the rounds online. The Hills Times describes his type as intelligent, thoughtful, and confident. However, like his bandmates, he’s yet to come out with a relationship. Here are a few that made the headlines.

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Relationship rumours surrounding BTS leader RM aka Kim Namjoon

2015: A throwback to young love

One of the only admissions of a relationship by BTS came through on an episode of Problematic Men — when Namjoon revealed little details about his relationship in high school. He stated that his ex-girlfriend was quite popular with members of the opposite sex and that led him to doubt himself. Eventually, they parted ways over this.

2017: Love Yourself: Her

In 2017, a BTS interview with Billboard sparked dating rumours for Namjoon. While answering a question about the introspective nature of the album Love Yourself: Her, he said “I think that was the fastest work I did for this album. I wrote the verse in 20 minutes. It just came, very truthfully, from the bottom of my heart.” He further added, “I thought it was the right outro (Outro: Her) for this album because it is really a range of emotions. I’m saying I met this person that I really love, this person is the love of my life right now. I’m saying that I was confused, and I was looking for love and this world is complex. But I think it’s you so, ‘I call you her, cause you’re my tear. I think you’re the start and the end of me.’ That’s what I’m saying: You’re my wonder, but you’re also my answers.” However, there were no further clarifications on the same from him or Big Hit Music.

2019: In a pickle over a poodle

In 2019, rumour mills began working overtime when RM shared a picture of himself with a dog. A Korean YouTube channel linked the picture to one with a wealthy, non-Celebrity woman who’d shared an image of herself with a similar-looking poodle — linking them to each other. Big Hit Music was quick to shut it down. “The dating rumours involving RM are not true,” the agency said, according to a report by Hindustan Times. Soon after, RM took to Weverse to reiterate the same, “I don’t know the person at all and the poodle is my friend’s poodle,” he wrote on Weverse (translated).

2023: ‘Spicy’ news with AESPA’s Karina

On a live broadcast on Weverse in October, Namjoon was asked by a fan to introduce them to his girlfriend. He responded to this with, “I really want (a girlfriend) but I don’t have one right now. Can you introduce me to someone?,” according to a report by News18.

Later in November, he found himself linked to fellow idol and girl group AESPA’s rapper Karina. This, was after a post went viral where Karina revealed her interest in the band Se So Neon — whose lead vocalist is a good friend of RM and had collaborated with him on the single Smoke Sprite. Other ‘proofs’ included similar-looking Instagram updates — such as the two sharing monochrome pictures of themselves with So Yoon on their Instagram stories, with similar angles and filters. There was no confirmation of this. Later, in 2024, Karina and Lee Jae Wook were confirmed to be dating but they later called it off.

2024: Right Place, Wrong Person

On 24 May, Namjoon released an 11-track second solo album Right Place, Wrong Person — on which he’s been credited for songwriting and production. According to Big Hit Music, “RM paints a portrait of universal emotions that anyone could have encountered at least once in their lives, delivering a message that resonates with those who strive to find answers in the face of these emotions,” Hindustan Times reports. The album alludes to love and relationships, delving into the heartbreak the two bring.

In particular, the track Nuts brought with it a series of relationship rumours. The lyrics refer to a tumultuous love. “Since you left, I finally feel alive…Every night, I write letters to my past self,” “I’ll sincerely wish for your happiness, even though you probably won’t believe me. It was a tough relationship, there’s a stigma on my chest,” he adds. That said, he has not commented on the rumours themselves.

Which of these relationship rumours about BTS’ Kim Namjoon do you think hold the most weight?

Hero and feature images: Courtesy rkive/Instagram

This story first appeared on Lifestyle Asia Hong Kong

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