BTS RM Being Praised As ‘Role Model Helping to Stop Violence Against Women’ Ignites Heated Discussions Online

On December 12, ARMYs belatedly commemorated BTS RM’s inclusion on The Pixel Project’s “16 Male Role Models Helping to Stop Violence Against Women” list, released on the 4th.

The Pixel Project is a non-profit organization established in 2009 with the mission of stopping violence against women (VAW) through various campaigns and projects including popular culture and arts.

Among the 16 significant personalities listed, the K-pop global star placed ninth. The article particularly commended RM for taking accountability for his previous controversial misogynistic lyrics in some of BTS’ songs by taking women and gender studies classes.

This also led him to have a women’s studies professor check his lyrics up until now.

“He has since used his enormous platform to influence pop culture and the arts in support of women,” added the NPO.

While ARMYs (BTS fandom) acknowledged this recognition, this, however, sparked criticism among supporters of female idols, claiming that RM didn’t do anything to stop VAW.

Netizens highlighted RM’s link with Lee Jin Wook, who was accused of being a sexual predator. They added that the idol has kept his silence while some ARMYs were throwing hateful and demeaning comments against idols like NewJeans, BLACKPINK, and more, in the context of defending him from other fandoms.

RM’s supporters quickly took his side and added more reasons the BTS leader deserved his spot on the list.

“Namjoon literally got blacklisted by Korean men for being a woman supporter,” said a fan.

“He’s the reason why HYBE has gender sensitivity training for their trainees. Can’t say the name for other idols,” stated another fan.

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