BTS RM’s Old Political Poetry Resurfaces After Enlistment

BTS‘s leader, RM, enlisted in the military for his mandatory service recently, along with the remaining members, V, Jimin, and Jungkook.

The enlistment brought about a multitude of reactions from fans. While all of them wish them a safe return from their 18-month-long service, they were also heartbroken about their absence for that period of time. On the other hand, it opened up discussions about mandatory service in general, with people taking different stands on the issue.

Amidst these discussions, RM’s old poetry has resurfaced on Twitter, where he talked about the reunification of North and South Korea. Notably, this poem was written by the BTS leader when he was only ten years old!

for those of you who may not know, 10 year old namjoon wrote this poem on the 19th of may 2005 about his longing for the reunification of north and south korea. pic.twitter.com/OsXKeDRFz0

— (winnie the) rooh⁷ (@btsprodsuga) December 11, 2023

In the poem, he metaphorized the divided Koreas as a tiger with broken bones that the world looks down upon, oblivious of its strength once it recovers.

The poem’s poignancy left readers in awe of RM’s poetic skills, even at that young age. It also gained an honorable nod from relevant institutions when featured in a tribute video during the 2018 Inter-Korean Summit.

[Eng Es PT Sub] #BTS NAMJOON's 5th grade poem
방탄소년단 김남준 5학년때 지은 시

Korean historical event "North-South Korean summit meeting" held last week.
This is tribute video in hope of our country's peace and unification along w/ RM's beautiful poemhttps://t.co/CCOf10TAwU pic.twitter.com/4p8Asrkdn9

— Jayelle_Kdiamond (@JL_Kdiamond) September 24, 2018

The poem’s subject matter is also related to the issue of conscription. In South Korea, the law requires all able-bodied adult men to serve in the military for at least 18 months. A part of the reason behind this policy is the country’s ongoing war with the North, which completed 70 years of ceasefire this July.

Many new ARMYs have just encountered this beautiful poem by RM and praised him for his genius. Some also expressed their discontent at the fact that his pacifist views couldn’t translate into a similar reality.

He's 10 years old here btw let that sink in. For a kid that young to have the understanding of it all, and to express it so beautifully, goddamn. https://t.co/ZRBn5HRLJs

— roses ⁷ (@namgiiist) December 11, 2023

just in awe of how joon is born to be a poet, poetry really was his beginning. he should be holding a pen, not a gun. its heartbreaking imagine so many young people dreamed & fought for their country. decades after the armistice, korea remains divided. https://t.co/lIimCt1xOd

— míkha⁷ (@ftygminn) December 12, 2023

I often see people saying BTS should be exempt, and I agree with the sentiment of not wanting them to go, but I wish they didn't have to go because there was no need for a mandatory military. https://t.co/qBMiMwCzYv

— jyl-bts⁷ (@JylBts) December 12, 2023

whenever i read this i always get reminded about "my beginning was poetry" from wildflower he was born to do this like the fact hes only 10 here ???? https://t.co/FbOlqBQW9n

— feze (@hbzqbo) December 11, 2023

still in awe of 10 year old namjoon. but also a little heartbroken for him and everyone who dream of a reunified korea.

almost 2 decades after this poem and 7 decades after the armistice, korea remains as divided as it was. https://t.co/Ue1eBezZrS

— zi⁷ (@untilnamjoon) December 12, 2023