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BTS Member RM Removed from Role Model List After Photo With Chris Brown Sparks Fan Outrage
🇲🇽 Mexico /Culture & Society

BTS Member RM Removed from Role Model List After Photo With Chris Brown Sparks Fan Outrage

From El Universal · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • RM, a member of the K-pop group BTS, has been indefinitely suspended from a list of male role models by The Pixel Project.
  • The suspension follows a photo of RM with rapper Chris Brown, who has a history of domestic violence.
  • The organization cited RM's lack of a public statement and the distress caused to fans, particularly survivors of abuse, as reasons for the decision.

RM, a prominent member of the global K-pop sensation BTS, has been removed from The Pixel Project's list of male role models following controversy over a photograph with rapper Chris Brown. The organization, which advocates against violence toward women, announced RM's indefinite suspension after he appeared in a picture with Brown, who has a documented history of domestic abuse, including a 2009 conviction for assaulting Rihanna.

With effect from today, we are indefinitely suspending RM from our list of male role models.

— The Pixel ProjectThe Pixel Project announced the indefinite suspension of RM from their role model list.

The decision by The Pixel Project, made on August 15th, came after RM and fellow BTS member J-Hope attended a concert in Toronto where they met and posed for a photo with Brown. The image, shared by Brown, quickly drew criticism from BTS fans, known as ARMY, who expressed concern over RM's association with an artist with such a past.

In their statement, The Pixel Project explained that they had chosen RM as a role model in 2024 after researching his work in challenging misogyny, supporting women in the arts, and speaking out against gender-based violence in South Korea. However, they emphasized that public figures must take responsibility for their actions and the impact they have. The organization noted that RM's lack of a public statement addressing the photo contributed to their decision.

We never expected any male role model, including RM, to be perfect. After all, we are all human. But being a decent person also means taking responsibility when your decisions hurt other people.

— The Pixel ProjectThe organization explained their stance on public figures and accountability.

The controversy has caused significant distress among some ARMY members who are survivors of domestic and sexual violence. The Pixel Project acknowledged this pain, stating, "We hear you and we see you, and we are very sorry for the pain and disappointment many of you are experiencing right now." As of the article's publication, neither RM, J-Hope, nor their agency have issued a public response to the situation.

We hear you and we see you, and we are very sorry for the pain and disappointment many of you are experiencing right now.

— The Pixel ProjectThe Pixel Project addressed the distress caused to fans, particularly survivors of abuse.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Universal in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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