BTS member RM faces allegations of smoking in non-smoking areas in Japan.
According to the Japanese weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun, which reported on the 22nd (local time), witnesses saw RM smoking several times in non-smoking areas while moving between izakayas and bars in the Shibuya area of Tokyo, enjoying drinks with acquaintances.
The magazine reported that RM stayed at a certain establishment in Shibuya for about three hours and left around 1 a.m. Although there was no designated smoking area inside the building, the magazine said RM and his party smoked in clearly marked non-smoking areas in the hallway.
Additionally, a security guard managing the building reportedly approached RM and warned him, but he continued smoking.
The magazine also criticized RM’s handling of the cigarette butts. His party allegedly discarded them directly on the floor, and a female staff member had to pick them up on her knees.
Photos showing RM smoking with an acquaintance and staff members cleaning the floor were released, prompting criticism of RM’s actions.
Currently, BTS’s agency Big Hit Music has not made a statement regarding the reports about RM in Japan.
This situation has caused a stir among fans.
BTS recently held the ‘BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG” at the Goyang Sports Complex Main Stadium from March 9th to 12th, meeting with local fans. During the concert, RM appealed for fans’ trust, saying, “We are all over thirty. We decided to work together as independent entities to continue doing what we love for a long time,” and added, “Please trust us and enjoy our growth. Just trust us once more.”
RM’s statement continued his previous remarks during a live broadcast in December last year, where he contemplated disbanding the team. At that time, RM said, “Anyway, we have to move forward. We contemplated thousands of times whether it would be better to disband or to take a break,” drawing significant attention.
As the leader of BTS, RM is known for his candidness and commands great trust from the members and fans alike.
However, regarding the recent smoking incident in Japan, fans are expressing disappointment with comments like, “Couldn’t he have just smoked in the designated area?”, “Is he just a leader in words?”, “It’s difficult to follow basics while pretending to be aware and then smoking on the street,” and “I am disappointed in RM, who was considered the BTS brain.”
Image source: Xportsnews
