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.
RM has been selected by "The Pixel Project" as one of the Male Role Models who are making a positive impact by helping to stop violence against women.
— Pop Core (@TheePopCore) December 12, 2024
📎 https://t.co/SPzKK8onug pic.twitter.com/kexN7ZSx3m
READ ALSO: BTS RM Dubbed the 'Savior of Korean Literature' — Here's Why
"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.
His fan wishing harm for 16 years old girl https://t.co/siAY7AieVb pic.twitter.com/ySG0yd1DPa
— salep🩵🍀 (@NJ1soon) December 12, 2024
meanwhile his fandom :- https://t.co/uHO3NycmGr pic.twitter.com/jRAhqapmPL
— ᴍᴇᴢꪶ (@mezdome) December 12, 2024
he helping to stop violence against women??? I GAGGED. his own fandom has done nothing but harass and sltshame women/girls since its existence and he haven't called them out not even once. what a fkn joke is this? https://t.co/p4mbgFw5Wi
— clau (@smiskimina) December 12, 2024
What exactly has he done to help women? His fans harass women daily, he's still friends with women beaters, and all he talks about is paving the way BFFR pic.twitter.com/MB3a3BTFpA https://t.co/sSswV3MSz7
— Æ♡..🏁 || rosie (@karosa00_) December 12, 2024
no shade i don’t think any man should be regarded as a role model when it comes to feminism https://t.co/I7O9QelIUc
— 🧃 nes (@esnupijoy) December 12, 2024
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.
Namjoon literally got blacklisted by korean men for being a women supporter. He is never going to be the bad guy y'all want him to be. https://t.co/Ov1RZU4Nbz
— lia 𓍯 (@jmndiorz) December 12, 2024
right right… https://t.co/JiDKlqhFf5 pic.twitter.com/BwUMyjV0OX
— ted¹² (@ohmyyeojin) December 12, 2024
"what impact" he's the reason why hybe has gender sensitivity training for their trainees. Can't say the same for other idols https://t.co/SBoo3dVgvk pic.twitter.com/ktxkPSWCsa
— sig (@sambalsmatah) December 12, 2024
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