For many fans all over the world, the debut of RM’s first-ever album Indigo has evoked a rollercoaster of emotions. Ten tracks — each with their own genre, vibe, message, and purpose — and while a superficial glance might only see words put to music, those in the know are much more informed. RM’s entire album is unashamedly personal — a candid tribute and farewell to his twenties. Having spent the past decade in the spotlight as the leader of BTS, it is only fitting that now, as he embarks on his ‘chapter 2,’ he takes time to share reflections of a critical period in his life.
During RM’s ‘Indigo’ Album Magazine Film that aired on YouTube on December 4th, he mentioned that “for the fans who like me and know me, it'll be an opportunity to know me better.” BTS fans have for a long time been aware of RM’s struggle with identity or more specifically, his identity as RM, the leader of BTS who makes music, and Kim Namjoon, “a human being, a family member, and a friend.” The age-old question of “who am I?” is very relatable across all walks of life and the journey taken to answer this question can be deeply personal and private. That RM shares this part of himself with his fans is one of the reasons why he is loved (and respected) so much.
In 2022, we see how much RM has matured since BTS debuted in 2013. BTS’ whirlwind romance with fame has seen them reach dizzying heights that other artists can only dream of, yet for all of their fame and fortune, music is still the binding ingredient amongst the brotherhood of these seven young men. For the most part, maturity comes with experience rather than age. Tastes, bodies, emotions, and relationships all mature. Thus with all that RM has experienced in his twenties, it’s not surprising that he now possesses a much better understanding of who he is. The lived experiences influencing and informing his journey and the people he crosses paths with are all contributing, in some way, to the man he is becoming every day.
Over time RM has continually narrated that he is only 1/7 of BTS — a critical component (as we all know), yet still only a piece of the bigger puzzle. Yes, he was the first member and BTS was formed around him; however, it is clear that BTS grew above and beyond everyone’s initial expectations, surpassing even the biggest of hopes for the boy band. As a group of seven, they worked collectively and tirelessly for the benefit of the group. Now, each member has the opportunity to find their own colors, flesh out their own styles, and communicate with the world in ways that are intrinsically unique to who they are as individual artists. Knowing what they want to say and having the means with which to say it must, to an extent, feel very liberating after all this time.
According to RM, Indigo has been four years in the making. RM’s growth and development as the leader of BTS has been an even longer project, spanning ten years at the very least. Both his strengths and weaknesses, struggles, and achievements have contributed in some way to the making of this album. What makes this album even more special though is the knowledge that right now, in this time and space, RM is feeling the most represented in and by his music. For this simple fact alone, RM’s fans across the world are cheering him on.
Whether we are looking back at our past, reconfiguring our present, or moving steadily forward into our future, to do so with wisdom and gratitude is never an easy feat — but it is possible. RM has shown us that we can embrace our regrets, but more than that, he has finally been able to say out loud the words that stayed silent for so long. Indigo will continue to age with time, just as humans do, carrying a sweeter scent and resonating at a higher frequency. As RM pointed out, one of those songs may even make it to our lifelong playlist — depending on who we are, what we are experiencing, and what our needs are at the time. For now, though, it's time to enjoy the fruit of RM’s first solo album.
So much of himself has gone into this project, his child as he calls it, and by the sounds of it, there is still more to come. This is the gift that RM has prepared for his beloved fans and for many who may be feeling lost and lonely or tired and frustrated, Indigo is a long-awaited panacea. Life may feel a little “Hectic” at times, but now we have even more of an incentive to say “I’m still life!”
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Written By: Shelley
Edited By: Aury
Checked By: Miranda
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