BTS leader Kim Namjoon, popularly known as RM, has been serving his mandatory military service since December 2023. With just two months left before his return, excitement is building among ARMYs worldwide, especially with BTS’s reported comeback scheduled for the second half of 2025. However, recent reports have sparked concern regarding RM’s living conditions at his military base.
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Viral Photo Raises Questions
A photo published by South Korean outlet Yonhap News showed RM sleeping on a basic wooden bed frame at his base in Hwacheon, a location near the North Korean border. Due to his tall stature, fans noticed his legs appeared to dangle over the short bed. The image quickly spread across social media, prompting fans to voice their disappointment and concern.
One fan posted on X (formerly Twitter), “Ain’t no f—ing way Namjoon has been sleeping on a damn wood board every day… No mattress, legs hanging off, -20 degrees. F—k man.” Others echoed similar sentiments, calling the bed “painful” and “inhumane,” especially for someone of RM’s height and build.
Ain’t no fvcking way Namjoon has been sleeping on a damn wood board everyday. Hwacheon base on which Namjoon is stationed is the closest to NK with the harshest living conditions and like other bases it’s not even upgraded. No mattress, legs hanging off, -20 degrees. FVCK MAN https://t.co/uGjRxlrqlM pic.twitter.com/gfJq4XwiwP
— nush⁷ (@namgiseokbase) April 9, 2025
Comparisons to Other Members’ Conditions
While many fans criticized the military for not offering better accommodations, others referenced a recent comment by BTS member Jin. In his Netflix show Kian’s Bizarre B&B, Jin mentioned that military sleeping arrangements have improved. However, fans speculated that his comments may only apply to the bases of members like Jimin, J-Hope, and Jungkook, not RM and V.
Calls for Better Treatment
As RM’s photo continues to circulate, fans have rallied online demanding better living standards for all soldiers, not just celebrities. “Free my Joon,” one user wrote, echoing the collective sentiment of ARMYs hoping for RM’s safe and healthy return.