"Are you sad inside that you didn't get military exemption?"



"Of course I want to do my duty as a citizen of the Republic of Korea. Only then can I talk about my rights. I will think of it as a time to become an adult."



RM (Kim Nam-jun), the leader of BTS, who spent the end of 2022 with Hwaeomsa Temple, responded to the head monk who asked about the military issue.



On December 29 of last year, when the year was coming to an end, RM and music producer Kang San made a 'visit' to Hwaeomsa Temple using public transportation for 2 days and 1 night.



He was looking for personal relaxation and inspiration for music.



Upon arriving at Hwaeomsa Temple, RM met and chatted with the head monk Deokmun, whom he had a long relationship with, saying, "I wanted to go early, but I came too late."



In the chatroom that lasted for about two hours, the story of the military service, which ended with the recent enlistment of Jin (Kim Seok-jin), the eldest brother of BTS, came up.



When Venerable Deokmoon asked, "Are you sad at the bottom of your heart for not being exempted from military service?" RM replied, "Of course, I want to fulfill my duty as a citizen of the Republic of Korea."



In response, Monk Deokmoon said, "A year and a half out of my 80's life will not be wasted, but will be a precious time to look back on myself for a moment." told



He added, "As much as BTS is loved by people around the world, I hope they actively donate and convey the message of mercy and love through music and video." I hope,” he begged.



After the chat, RM handed over his first solo album 'Indigo', which he had prepared in advance, to Monk Deokmoon.



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Afterwards, RM and Gangsan spent their free time looking at cultural heritage, such as listening to Chungmugong Lee's story about Jirisan Mountain and the Seomjin River on the hill where the National Treasure Four Lion Three-story Stone Pagoda is located, guided by Venerable Woo Gyeon, director of Hwaeomsa Temple's cultural bureau.



Also, Yeongi Josa, who founded Hwaeomsa Temple, took her mother and walked along the 'Mother's Path', where she climbed Yeongi Rock.



After finishing the schedule, RM said to the officials of Hwaeomsa Temple, "I will bring wonderful and good memories. I really want to visit Hwaeomsa Temple again" and left.



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Meanwhile, BTS has continued their relationship by donating 500 bags every year to Good World Charity Bank, a children's relief organization headed by Monk Deokmoon.



(SBS Sub Star)


(Editor Kim Seong-hwa of SBS Entertainment News)