BTS’ RM Targeted In Hateful Edits Amid Online K-pop Fanwar
Fans unite to defend RM amid fan wars between Korean and South East Asian K-pop fans.
BTS’ RM, aka Kim Nam Joon, has recently been on the receiving end of a lot of racist rhetoric on social media. An ongoing discussion between South East Asians and East Asians escalated into a fight on x (formerly known as X). Amid this argument, several edited images of RM started doing the rounds. Read all about what the images are, why they’re problematic, and how ARMYs defended the BTS leader.
BTS’ RM Faces Racist Attack On X, ARMYs Flood Positive Hashtags
A recent K-pop concert in Malaysia saw a reportedly Korean fan filming using professional equipment, and fans from the country were quick to call out this behaviour. It blocks views for other fans and was therefore prohibited at the concert. Apparently, Korean netizens rose to defend the disruptive fan, and things quickly became intense.
🆘️🆘️🆘️🆘️🆘️🆘️🆘️🆘️🆘️
Mass report, log in and block this mf.
Do Not engage, only report.
Please Don’t forget to report to HYBE using link below.Account:
🔗https://t.co/lqfd1Urb7zReport to HYBE:
🔗https://t.co/OcHTdZrT4C pic.twitter.com/p9USQrOkYI— RM’s Moonchildren (@Moonchildren101) February 16, 2026
Both sides started spewing racist, colourist comments, and Kim Nam Joon’s name came up. As a prominent celebrity, he was an easy target. Netizens, said to be from Indonesia, created some racist and colourist photographs showing his skin to be darker than it is, along with comments degrading BTS’ RM as well as people of colour.
Anonymous people on the internet dragged Kim Nam Joon over something not in his control. As someone with atypical features not meeting Korean standards, he has received criticism before, but this blew up. ARMYs, both Indonesian and international, rushed to his defence.
Because we know that if we respond to hate trains with the same, it will end badly for BTS and the Army. A new hell will be created. So we respond with achievements.
Congratulation #RM ‘Groin’ has reached number #1 on iTunes Indonesia !
CONGRATULATIONS RM#INDOMYLOVENAMJOON https://t.co/3RSBo9TAuE pic.twitter.com/LMO6hHX8MF
— v | ᴀʀɪʀᴀɴɢ⊙⊝⊜ (@awbtsluv) February 16, 2026
Hashtags supporting RM (#PurpleRibbonForRM and #ArmyStandWithRM) started trending on X after fans spammed the social networking site with reasons they love the BTS leader. Indonesian fans also streamed ‘Groin’ from his 2024 album ‘Right Place, Wrong Person’, making it top the music charts in their country.
Also Read: BTS RM Reveals Single Status And Marriage Hopes On Live. Video Inside!
It is shameful that netizens stoop so low to make a point. BTS’ RM was not involved in this incident, but his name was pulled into it. Whether or not the original argument is sorted, it is never okay to make racist comments or edits involving real people. Celebrities often check how they’re perceived in the media. So, we hope people stop anonymously spreading hate because they think they can get away with it.
Also Read: From BTS To TWICE, Listen To These K-pop Songs About First Love!
First Published: February 16, 2026 6:50 PM
