RM aka Kim Namjoon, the leader of the popular Korean music band BTS has turned 27 on Sunday. The lead rapper was the first member to be recruited to the now seven-member legendary band and has led them ever since. RM was launched with the stage name Rap Monster. 

Then in 2017, the musician announced that he was changing his stage name from Rap Monster to RM. According to a letter released by an official BTS Fanclub, the band leader announced that he changed the name because RM suited more to the kind of music he wanted to create and provide a wider spectrum.

Also Read: Chinese social media platform bans K-pop fan accounts

“I’ve been promoting under the name Rap Monster for about five years, since the end of 2012. It was a stage name that I naturally came to be called among our company family members and my members, after a line in a song I’d made as a trainee, and I think I became very fond of it. But once I started promoting, the name ‘BTS’s Rap Monster’ was a bit long, and I’ve become keenly aware of the fact that it’s become different from [what I want] to put at the front of the music I’ve made for the past five years, and the music I want to share in the future,” RM wrote, as reported by Soompi. 

Also Read: BTS’ Jungkook’s birthday billboard pulled down in Pakistan for ‘promoting homosexuality

On shortening the name, RM wrote that after some time he anyway started introducing himself as Rapmon or RM rather than his full name because that’s what the business demands are.

“So I’d like to change the name I use for promotions to ‘RM,’ which I think is more in accordance with the music I’m aiming for and also has a wider spectrum. Since I’ve already released some music and mixtapes as RM, I think that some fans will have already guessed this. I thought about this carefully for a long while, because I want to make music for a long time in the future with an unrestricted and open mind and view,” the letter added.

In the letter, Namjoon further admitted that it was a bit awkward to change the name he has been called since the debut and may seem unfamiliar to many but urged fans to welcome his new name.

Also Read: Suga goes ‘Over the Horizon,’ remixes iconic Samsung jingle

 “It’s possible that it’s a bit awkward to be changing my stage name, which I’ve been called since before my debut, and you may feel like it’s unfamiliar. However, I would be sincerely grateful if you would welcome me after I’ve started with a new name following a long time of consideration,” he concluded the letter.

 Meanwhile, as RM celebrates his 27th birthday (28th as per the Korean calendar) fans and BTS armies are flooding social media with wishes and love for the rapper. 

The BTS leader started his birthday celebrations with a gratitude note to fans. He took to Twitter to thank fans for years of love and appreciation. “I’ll become more sufficient ‘me,” he said, as translated by fans.