The Lyrical Genius

“I was born in Ilsan, a city near Seoul, South Korea. It is a really beautiful place with a lake, hills, and even an annual flower festival. I spent a very happy childhood there, and I was just an ordinary boy. I used to look up at the night sky and wonder, and I used to dream the dreams of a boy. I used to imagine that I was a super hero who could save the world” said a 24-year-old boy as he stood at the podium with his six band members beside him. His hands trembled and his heart was beating at a very fast pace. It was his first time giving a speech at the UN General Assembly that too in a language he wasn’t used to speaking in. How? How did an ordinary boy from a small town end up at this podium at the UN General Assembly to deliver a speech to millions of people out there? The answer in one word is, Music.

During his primary school days, all he wanted to become was a security guard since he was so fascinated with their uniforms. In school, he learned both his native language (Korean) and Japanese. While he learned English and became fluent at it just by watching the American sitcom “Friends” on repeat since he knew that it would be essential in the long run. His parents expected him to have a regular job because of his exceptional academic achievements, but he was able to pursue them on wanting to become a full-time rapper, something he was inspired to do as he observed his favourite artists when they performed. Not just rapping, he also grew interested in lyricism. The boy who used to write short poetries in school, now stated that his poetry became lyrics as it combined with music.

In 2007, as a first-year middle school student, he began rapping in local amateur hip-hop circles and created his first ever self-composed recording. He eventually became more active in the Korean Hip-hop scene. He was already an academic genius who scored in the top 1% of the country in the university entrance exam and with an IQ of 148 but slowly he was turning into a musical genius too.

In 2009, he auditioned at a music company to begin his dream as full-time rapper. Unfortunately, he couldn’t pass it as he forgot his lyrics due to nervousness, but there he was spotted by the rapper of another company who later contacted him and encouraged him to audition at his company. He accepted the offer and ended up joining that company after his auditions. He was made a member of an idol group in the company for which he was mocked since idols aren’t acknowledged in the hip-hop scene especially idol rappers. Despite of that and various other challenges like having to dance and sing, something he never expected to do, he worked really hard for three years along with the rest of his group members.

In 2013, his group finally made their debut. He was announced as the leader of the group. Their first song, ‘No More Dream’ was written by him which reflected how he had no dreams when he was in school and rapping helped him get over the stress of studying. In the early years, his group suffered through a lot of hardships since they were constantly looked down on since they belonged to a small company. As the leader of the group, the pressure on him was the most, but that did not stop him. His looks, his talent, everything was questioned. “I will prove it to you” he said as he read all the hate comments which were posted on social media about the group. He continued to work hard with his members.

Through 2014-2017 he worked on various solo as well as collaboration projects. In 2017, he collaborated with an American rapper on a socially-charged track called Change, which helped him reach a significant position on the emerging artist chart. He also made the history as the first KPOP artist to chart on Rock Digital Songs Chart. In 2018, he released his second mixtape entitled ‘Mono’ which is the highest charting album by a Korean soloist on the Billboard 200 chart. Mono portrayed his 24-year-old self, undergoing the process of self-discovery. His fans saw his vulnerable side through the songs in this mixtape.

He is known for writing the most wise and relatable lyrics. People instantly connect to his writing and it also helps them get through their own hardships. His music inspires a lot of people helping them believe in themselves. Every time the group wins an award and they go on stage for a speech, he starts it by thanking his fans. He shares his success with them and all these things have helped him establish a strong connection with his fans. Be it through music or through his speeches at concerts, award shows and various other occasions, he has this ability to move people emotionally. Also, the main reason being the fact that he never tries to hide his true self. “And maybe I made a mistake yesterday, but yesterday’s me is still me. Today, I am who I am with all of my faults and my mistakes. Tomorrow, I might be a tiny bit wiser, and that’ll be me too. These faults and mistakes are what I am, making up the brightest stars in the constellation of my life. I have come to love myself for who I am, for who I was, and for who I hope to become” he said in his UN Speech.

Through the many years of making music, he finally came to accept and love himself for how he is and he gives the credit of that to his fans. In return asked them to use him and their music to love themselves. He, with his group constantly inculcate the message of “love yourself”. They know how difficult it is for the current youth to survive the pressure from the society, how they struggle to accept themselves in the competitive world and that is why they always make music that comforts the struggling people and gives them hope. And this is why they have millions of fans from all over the world who look up to them. The group has broken various records, received multiple national as well as international awards, and has many more such achievements which has led to them to make history in the world of music.

“I’m Kim Namjoon, and also RM of BTS. I am an idol, and I am an artist from a small town in Korea. Like most people, I’ve made many and plenty mistakes in my life. I have many faults, and I have many more fears, but I’m going to embrace myself as hard as I can, and I’m starting to love myself gradually, just little by little” said the man as he concluded his speech at the UN General Assembly. And just like that, the man, who inspired millions just by working hard to make music with the sole intention of helping the youth, telling them they are not alone and giving them hope, Kim Namjoon is moulding the present to make an inspiring history for the future.