RM (Kim Nam-joon), a member of the group BTS, shared his honest thoughts on marriage and childbirth during a live broadcast with fans.
On the 5th, during a live session on the global fan communication platform Weverse, RM said, "As I get older, I need to learn how to become friends with myself, but I still can't endure being alone." He added, "Even if I decorate my house beautifully, I mostly just go in to sleep. So I feel like I haven't become an adult yet."
He continued, "I think it's a problem that I can't spend time alone well," and expressed his perspective, saying, "Maybe this is why people get married. It seems like a process of finding a lifelong friend, family, or colleague."
Comparing his life to that of his parents' generation, he said, "When my parents were my age, I was already three years old. I still feel like a child," and added, "It's amazing that they got married and had me at that age. Now that I'm in my 30s, I realize how significant it is to raise a child and build a family."
He also mentioned the decreasing trend of marriage and childbirth among his friends. "Out of 10 friends, 2 or 3 are married, and some have had children, but more and more people are not getting married," he said. "You might get married if you meet the right timing and connection, or you might live alone. There is no right answer."
He raised his voice about the pressure that societal atmosphere puts on individuals. "These days, many people feel pressured or burdened by marriage issues. Especially women seem to feel a significant burden regarding children or careers," he emphasized, "Living in your own way is the most important."
In particular, he stated, "Just because someone who can't endure being alone gets married doesn't mean it will get better. They might want to be alone again after marriage. Choosing marriage as an escape from loneliness is something to be cautious about."
He also showed an honest attitude towards childbirth. "It's overwhelming to raise myself, so being responsible for someone else's life is even harder," he confessed, "I imagine how I would feel if I became a parent, considering how much trouble I caused my parents when I was young."
Finally, RM said, "Married people can only speak from their perspective, and unmarried people from another perspective," and added, "We are the first generation where marriage has become an option. Choosing marriage as an escape from loneliness should be approached with caution."
RM is set to hold a special exhibition at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) from October next year until February 2027.
