[GQ 🇯🇵 — GQ Men Of The Year] It teaches us what creativity is — BTS leader RM's documentary film "Right People, Wrong Place"

January 3, 2025

Kim Namjoon, known as RM, the leader of globally renowned group BTS and showcases his talents as a music producer and art collector. A documentary film titled "RM: Right People, Wrong Place," which follows the production process of his second solo album "Right Place, Wrong Person," will be released on January 3, 2025 (Friday). This work has been invited to the Open Cinema section at the 29th Busan International Film Festival, making it as the first K-Pop documentary to receive such an honor, indicating that it is more than just a typical idol documentary. It explores RM's thoughts through the album created in collaboration with creators from around the world. 

Not a documentary about an idol, but the journey of a single creator

The documentary film "RM: Right People, Wrong Place," featuring RM, the leader of BTS, who was shines as a global star, has been released in South Korea and is drawing attention. This film closely follows the production process of his second solo album "Right Place, Wrong Person," which was released in May 2024, over the course of eight months.

"Right Place, Wrong Person" has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Albums of 2024 by Rolling Stone magazine, showcasing RM's impressive musical talents. This work allows audiences to not only hear his talents but also see them through the visual presentation.

The meaning of the album title is "an outsider who doesn't quite fit in that place." Many people struggle with feelings of discomfort and not being able to blend in with their surroundings, but even RM, who has gained widespread global fame, expresses in the film that he feels a sense of being an outsider in some way and has grappled with that.

He reveals, "Various things happen in my life, and I'm some one who gets emotionally affected (even though I may seem strong) every time. I've always been overly sensitive to the feelings of others, and there are times when I can't say what I really want to say."

A fresh 8-month of a 28-year-old young man

Now more than ten years have passed since my debut, it might be said that being able to honestly express my feelings in this film during what could be considered a turning point in my life is a fortunate coincidence. In the struggle to dive deeply into my own life and find answers, it is not just the leader who boldly leads the group that is reflected; there is also the honesty, simplicity, and confusion of a single artist, a real human being, revealed without concealment.

Perhaps it is the nature of humanity to ponder the purpose of existence, to contemplate profound questions, and to articulate thoughts with intention. Each uttered word, each crafted lyric, reveals a profound sensitivity and an almost philosophical brilliance, striving to unveil the essence of existence. Beginning his journey into rap at the age of 15, he now, at 30, confronts the discord between his inner turmoil and outer reality.

"After nearly a decade, something within me has shifted. I felt compelled to document this change," he reflects.

In the creative process, he gathered a team of exceptional staff whose sensibilities resonated with his own—producers, directors, cinematographers, and musicians from various countries. The meetings and recording sessions transpired as earnest endeavors, where mutual respect and opinion exchanges fostered a commitment to achieving the highest quality. Yet, instead of an overwhelming tension, a serene atmosphere prevailed, likely due to the ideal rapport among all artists, who held each other in high regard. This dynamic can largely be attributed to RM's magnetic presence and admirable character. Even while occupying the most proactive role, he remained remarkably humble, attentively absorbing the perspectives of those around him. Producer Sanyang remarked:

"He always seemed to be in a state of uncertainty. I found his profound oscillation intriguing. Initially, I aimed to transform him, to pull him into our methodology. However, I soon realized the error in that thinking. He has lived his life in his own way. I asked him, 'Namjoon, what would it mean for you to start anew and to be truly honest about what you wish to convey?' I also conveyed, 'There are things you can only share with me; I urge you to be unabashedly truthful. The way you choose to begin this journey will undoubtedly shape your future; you, in essence, are a singular project.'"

Music, visuals, and photography created in collaboration with the finest creators

Among the participating musicians are Kim Han-joo from the band Sillica Gel, the American jazz duo DOMi & JD BECK, American singer-songwriter Moses Sumney, the Taiwanese band Sunset Rollercoaster, and the British rapper Little Simz, among others. This resulted in an album brimming with alternative music, a remarkable fusion of individuality and beauty. All lyrics are original compositions. The expressions of RM while collaborating with these diverse musicians were undoubtedly vibrant and filled with joy.

The collaboration with photogaphers was similarly significant. In Japan, we conducted a photoshoot with the photographer Takahiro Mizushima. The crew was small, and without any makeup, Kim Namjoon was captured in a remarkably natural state, as if among friends. We also collaborated with the prodigious Hong Kong still photographer Wing Shya, who has established his credentials as Wong Kar-wai’s exclusive photographer, as well as the British photographer Rosie Marks. As RM articulates, the essence of any endeavor lies in its concept, and the synergy between top-tier professionals ignites creativity.

In the music video for the album track "Come Back to Me," director Lee Sung-jin, who helmed the Netflix series "BEEF," undertook the roles of direction, production, and screenwriting, while the art direction was managed by Ryu Seong-hee, known for the film "Decision to Leave." Kim Min-ha, who appears in the Apple TV+ drama "Pachinko," is also featured. Moreover, the music video for "Groin" was directed by Pennacky, and viewers can witness the filming on the streets of London in this documentary.

The musicians, filmmakers, and photographers involved in the album come from diverse nationalities, genders, ages, and careers. The sole unifying thread among them is their possession of remarkable creativity as artists. Rather than confining themselves solely to the realm of K-POP, RM's talent lies in his open-minded sensibility, which allows him to navigate freely among exceptional artists of various disciplines.

You can relive refreshing eight months that RM has experienced

The days spent sharing meals and experiences with the crew felt akin to a retreat, where a warm trust flourished, giving birth to something profound. Oh Hyuk (HYUKOH) remarked, 

"I felt immense pressure due to our fame, yet once we began working, I realized he was simply a person brimming with a love for music and a deep interest in culture. He embodied the spirit of a sparkling youth."

This reflection seems to capture his essence most authentically—a person who possesses both delicacy and dynamism, driven purely by the joy of creation. RM expressed, "This was my first experience of collaborating to create everything from scratch. It feels as though our lives have been encapsulated and intertwined within the album and its visuals." It is easy to imagine that the eight months spent confronting his own contradictions and conflicts have reaped significant rewards.

As BTS and as solo artists, these two facets will continue to influence and resonate with each other, radiating light and hope ever further into the world.

Original article: GQ Japan