RM

Kim Nam-joon, better known as RM, is a South Korean rapper, songwriter, and record producer who has an estimated net worth of around $22 Million. RM has earned the vast majority of his incredible fortunes through his musical talent and as the leader of the South Korean boy band BTS. Let's understand how the superstar singer has built such an impressive net worth.

What is RM’s Net Worth?

As of 2024, RM is one of the top-earning South Korean rappers and songwriters, who has an estimated net worth of around $22 Million. 

Between June 2019 and June 2020, the BTS members earned a combined $50 Million, roughly $7 Million per member. In 2019, BTS collectively generated $170 Million from the “Love Yourself Tour”. All the BTS members also continue to accumulate passive income as major shareholders of HYBE, the entertainment company behind BTS. In 2020, the company went public on the South Korean exchange and all members of BTS found themselves sitting on $7.9 Million as per reports.

RM has 68,000 shares invested in HYBE Corporation, which is said to already be valued at more than $16 Million.

RM, the leader of BTS, earns a significant amount of income from song royalties, brand endorsements, and album sales which continue to increase his net worth. With around 2.85 Million monthly listeners and 17.19 Million followers on Spotify, he's one of the top most streamed artists in the world on the platform. According to the Royalties Calculator, RM’s annual earnings from Spotify are likely to be more than $108,000. According to The Richest, BTS boys earned $16.5 Million from their YouTube channel in 2021. Fast forward to 2024 and Social Blade estimates BTS’s yearly earnings of $724,600-$11.6 Million from the video platform, however, we bet on the latter figure.

RM also earns significant income from brand endorsements for global brands like Bottega Veneta. Apart from music, RM reportedly got paid a standard monthly pay of about $465 as a trainee for his services in the South Korean military.

What is RM’s claim to fame?

RM, or Kim Nam-joon, achieved fame as the leader and main rapper of BTS, a global K-pop group. Let us look at the significant events that helped RM in gaining fame.

• Joining Big Hit Entertainment and debuting with BTS- In 2010, at the young age of 16, RM joined Big Hit Entertainment. On June 13, 2013, RM made his debut with BTS and has since produced and written lyrics for a variety of tracks for BTS albums.
• First solo mixtape- On March 17, 2015, RM released his first solo mixtape, RM, which ranked 48th in Spain's "50 Best Hip Hop Albums of 2015". This was a notable achievement for RM, as it highlighted his potential as a solo artist.
• Solo Debut album- In December 2022, RM released his official debut solo studio album, Indigo, led by the single "Wild Flower". The album ranked at number three on the Billboard 200, making him the highest-charting Korean soloist in chart history.
• Right Place, Wrong Person- On May 24, 2024, RM released his second studio album, Right Place, Wrong Person. The album debuted at number five on the Billboard 200 with 54,000 album-equivalent units sold, making it RM's highest debut entry on the chart and the largest opening sales week of his career.
• Joining the Military- RM, along with his bandmate Kim Taehyung, a.k.a V, enlisted as an active duty soldier in the South Korean military on December 11, 2023. RM is serving in the Special Task Force of the Capital Defence Command, a prestigious unit within the South Korean military. This comes since South Korean law requires every male between the ages of 18 and 35 to perform compulsory military service. 

What businesses does RM own?

Unlike many other high-profile celebrities, RM is not involved in any business ventures or investments, as he has primarily focused on his career in music. However, RM has a strong interest in Korean art and has invested significantly in the artwork. RM has amassed a notable collection of artworks featuring works by renowned Korean artists like Kim Whanki and Yun Hyong-keun. He often shares his artwork collection, knowledge, and appreciation of art with fans.

What brands has RM endorsed?

RM, alone and as the leader and member of the K-pop band BTS, has endorsed various top-notch global brands. Let us look at the details of his various brand endorsement deals and partnerships.

• Seoul Tourism- Since 2017, BTS has been the honorary Tourism Ambassador for Seoul. BTS promoted the city’s major landmarks and appeared in various promotional campaigns like ‘BTS’ Life in Seoul,’ ‘Live Seoul Like I Do, My Seoul Playlist,’ ‘Live Seoul ‘Like I Do’, Create & Share,’ ‘Your Seoul Goes On.’ The 2020 Seoul Tourism promotional video was launched after the seven teasers featuring each BTS member.
• Bottega Veneta- In March 2023, RM officially became the brand ambassador for the luxury Italian fashion house Bottega Veneta. He was the first ambassador for the brand and signed on to be the face of Bottega Veneta’s spring 2023 campaign. This partnership was a natural fit as RM has been spotted wearing Bottega Veneta pieces and attended the brand's Fall 2023 show at Milan Fashion Week.
• Coway- On March 12, 2021, BTS became a global ambassador for Coway, a South Korean home appliance brand. BTS is featured in various promotional videos for Coway’s Noble collection, which includes air purifiers and induction cooktops. They also launched the Icon Ice Water Purifier, which is compact and features hard ice technology.
• Samsonite Red- In 2021, Samsonite Red launched a BTS x Samsonite collection, which was inspired by "Dynamite," followed by a Butter Collection in 2022, featuring luggage and bags themed around BTS’s hit "Butter.”
• Lego- In April 2021, BTS collaborated with Lego, a famous toy brand for a BTS-themed LEGO set. The set was modeled after the band’s hit song, ‘Dynamite,’ which includes pieces to make all seven BTS members recreate the scenes of their music video.
• Xylitol- On May 27, 2021, Lotte Confectionery made BTS ambassadors for their Xylitol chewing gum. The 'Smile to Smile Project' showcased positivity associated with BTS’s song "Butter," releasing special edition gum bottles featuring BTS visuals. On July 3, 2023, they released their latest series of ‘Let’s Xylitol’ commercials featuring BTS.
• iloom- In December 2023, BTS leader partnered up with iloom, a Korean furniture company, as their brand ambassador. RM collaborated to create the "Where Life Becomes Creative" campaign, and related promotions. The first ad campaign was released on December 22, 2023, and has taken the internet by storm. As the face of the company, RM has benefited the company and led to a 500% rise in sales. This partnership reflects his known appreciation for art and design, as he often shares images of his home decor and art collection with fans.
• Louis Vuitton- In 2021, RM and the other BTS members collectively served as global brand ambassadors for Louis Vuitton, the luxury fashion brand. This marked their first-ever luxury fashion partnership. On February 24, 2023, Louis Vuitton announced J-Hope as its new house ambassador for their men’s Fall-Winter 2023 campaign. 
• Samsung- Since March 10, 2020. RM, along with the other BTS members, has campaigned globally for Samsung's Galaxy smartphones. According to the Korea Herald, BTS Suga is rumored to be dropped from the endorsement deal amid his ongoing investigation into the DUI scandal.
• Hyundai- Since 2018, BTS has worked with Hyundai on projects like the IONIQ electric car brand. In 2020, RM was part of BTS's endorsement for Hyundai, promoting vehicles like the Palisade and encouraging eco-friendly initiatives in the "Because of You" campaign.
• Loungefly- On September 13, 2023, Loungefly, a fashion brand announced their collaboration with BTS for their newest collection of accessories such as bags, mini backpacks, cross bags, and a trifold wallet.
• McDonald's- In May 2021, McDonald's and the K-pop band BTS collaborated on a limited-time meal from May 26 to June 20, 2021, in selected countries. The meal included 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, Medium French fries, Medium Coca-Cola, and Two dipping sauces: Sweet Chili and Cajun, inspired by popular recipes from McDonald's South Korea. This collaboration was very successful and one of BTS’s biggest endorsement deals, estimated to be worth about $9 Million as per The Street.
• Crocs- In 2022, Crocs Korea teamed up with BTS to release a teaser of a new line of 3D Jibitz charms in eight different characters. The collection was launched on September 20, 2022, and included black, white, and purple Crocs with BT21 designs.
• Fila- On October 1, 2019, KST, FILA Korea announced BTS as the global model for the brand and to spread their message of “One World, One FILA”. BTS FILA endorsements will be shared in many countries including America, Europe, and Asia.
• Funko- On February 15, 2019, Funko released a BTS figure series based on the "Love Yourself: Answer" theme, exclusively at Barnes & Noble. This was the first BTS Funko Pop series, which was followed by figure series for "Dynamite," "Butter," "BT21," and the BTS x Minions collection.
• Casetify- On November 19, 2019, Casetify teamed up with BTS for the first time. It featured BTS designs from the "MAP OF THE SOUL: PERSONA" EP and the song "Boy with Luv" followed by "Dynamite," "Butter," and "Permission to Dance.” On September 28, 2023, their latest collection was launched which included phone cases, earbud protectors, and watch bands with BTS-themed designs.
• Coca-Cola- On April 30, 2018, Coca-Cola announced their collaboration with BTS for their 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia campaign. On July 17, 2018, Coca-Cola announced the launch of their special edition of cans and bottles featuring BTS. The endorsement deal reportedly ended in 2023.
• Gojek- On June 20, 2022, BTS collaborated with Gojek, an Indonesian IT company. BTS endorsed its online products and services in Indonesia, Singapore, and Vietnam. This collaboration encouraged users to explore their services like GoFood, GoPay, and GoRide.
• Cookie Run: Kingdom- On September 20, 2022, BTS collaborated with Cookie Run: Kingdom, a mobile gaming application for a crossover project called Braver Together. The collaboration featured BTS-themed maps and adventures that are pivotal to each member of BTS.
• Slideshow- On June 28, 2021, Sideshow, a figurines and collectibles brand announced their collaboration with BTS. Sideshow released a total of 11 different editions of the BTS premium logos. The items include travel cups, mugs, and sticker decals. The hand-painted collectibles were inspired by the iconic performance of their song ‘IDOL.’
• MND Agency for KIA Recovery & Identification (MAKRI)- On June 1, 2023, RM was appointed as the public relations ambassador to South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) Agency for Killed in Action (KIA) Recovery & Identification (MAKRI) at an official appointment ceremony in his honor. The organization is mainly responsible for excavating the remains of fallen Korean War veterans and returning them to their families. As an ambassador, RM will be involved in promotional activities for the organization. RM is the third ever to receive this honor after previous ambassadors, Professor Kyung Deok and veteran MC Song Hae.
• The Cream Shop- On May 30, 2021, The Creme Shop, a Korean beauty brand launched their BT21 Collection in collaboration with BTS. The limited edition collection included beauty products and accessories with different BT21 characters on them.
• World Expo 2030- On June 24, 2022, HYBE announced BTS as an honorary ambassador for the World Expo 2030. The effort was to bring the 2030 World Expo to Busan Metropolitan City, the second most populous city in South Korea behind Seoul. BTS is dedicated to hosting a global concert and participating in various promotional activities to support Busan’s bid to host an international event.
• BTS Island: In the SEOM- As part of a pre-concert etiquette video that aired at their ‘PTD on Stage: Las Vegas’ concert, BTS introduced a new game BTS Island: In the SEOM on April 8, 2022. The video game is about the story of 7 friends living and relaxing on an island filled with entertainment, fascinating puzzles, and many more. According to the game's official Instagram account, BTS helped develop the characters to reflect the unique personality of each member. They also included creative input on the story, art, and puzzles. The video game was officially released on June 28, 2022.
• Smart x TinyTAN- On August 8, 2022, Smart, a mobile service company announced their collaboration with BTS animated characters. The collaboration was for TinyTAN, a new line of products that includes 5G-ready SIM packs and load cards for subscribers. The exclusive Smart SIM TinyTAN Edition includes one character card per pack, allowing subscribers to collect all 8 special edition TinyTAN character cards by purchasing a 5G-enabled SIM pack.

How does RM spend his Millions?

RM leads a luxurious lifestyle, investing his millions in various ways, including real estate, art, expensive cars, and personal interests. He owns multiple lavish apartment complexes and properties across South Korea. He has a remarkable art collection, including a $1.2 Million sculpture by American artist Roni Horn and an abstract piece by Korean artist Yun Hyong-keun.

RM's taste also extends to luxury watches like the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5712R and Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 40. He also has a notable sneaker collection featuring the Nike Sacai IDV Waffle Varsity Blue, Nike Air Force 1 '07, and the Nike x Tiffany & Co. edition.

How many houses does RM own?

RM owns multiple luxurious apartment complexes in Seoul. Some of his notable residences and properties include-

• Apartment in Hannam The Hill- In November 2019, RM bought an expensive apartment complex at Hannam The Hill for a whopping $5.4 Million. The 3,060 square feet apartment boasts a spacious living room featuring a cozy and comfortable seating area adorned with paintings and wall art. In March 2021, RM sold the property, making a profit of around $800,000.
• Apartment in Nine One Hannam- According to Koreaboo, in March 2021, RM purchased another apartment unit in Nine One Hannam for around $6.5 Million. The apartment complex is known as the "Beverly Hills of Korea" and offers views of the Han River and Namsan Mountain. The 3,167-square-foot apartment is equipped with a four-step verification security system and features party rooms, a golf course, a swimming pool, and a fancy dining lounge. The complex also houses other bandmates such as Jimin apart from celebrities like G-Dragon and Jun Ji-Hyun.

Apart from these properties, in November 2019, RM reportedly bought a property in the Yongsan District of Seoul for $4.2 Million but later sold it the following year for $4.91 Million.

How many cars does RM own?

Unlike many other high-profile celebrities, RM does not have an exclusively large collection of exotic cars and there isn't extensive public information about the car owned by the singer. Additionally, he doesn't even have a driving license. However, he reportedly owns an Audi RS.

• Audi RS 4- RM is rumored to own a red Audi RS 4, but this remains unverified as no official information or confirmation about the car has been provided.

What are RM’s charitable contributions?

Besides having a luxurious lifestyle, RM is actively involved in philanthropy and charity work. Let's look at the singer's most significant charitable contributions-

• Donation to Seoul Samsun School- In 2019, for his 25th birthday, RM donated around $85,810 to the Seoul Samsun School to help hearing-impaired students receive music education.
• Donation to the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art- In 2020, RM donated around $84,726 to the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art for the printing and distribution of various rare art books to schools and libraries in rural and mountainous regions. Additionally, in December 2020, the Arts Council of Korea named RM as one of its ten 2020 Patrons of the Arts in recognition of his donation. Since September 2021, he has consecutively donated around $84,726 annually for the preservation and restoration of cultural artifacts overseas, through the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) and the Overseas Cultural Heritage Foundation.
• Donation to National Forensic Service of South Korea- In September 2023, RM donated approximately $87,416 to the National Forensic Service of South Korea. This donation was used for the development of forensic science in the country.
• Donation to Veterans- In September 2024, for his 30th birthday, RM donated around $74,600 to the Funds for Veterans. The donation was allocated through "Everyone's Veterans' Dream" and the "Uniformed Workers Appreciation Campaign," which is a part of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs' efforts, to provide welfare and treatment to uniformed service personnel and their bereaved families.

What’s next for RM?

In May 2024, RM released his second solo album, Right Place, Wrong Person. An upcoming documentary film, about the making of RM's second solo album, Right Place, Wrong Person is set to be released very soon and the trailer has already been released. The documentary film is directed by Lee Seok-joon and premiered at the Busan International Film Festival in October 2024. RM is also currently serving in the South Korean military and is expected to finish his service in June 2025.