Kim Namjoon, better known as RM, the thoughtful and intelligent leader of BTS, has always stood out for his deep love of learning, philosophy, and language. Long before BTS achieved worldwide fame, Namjoon had a surprising backup plan if his music career did not succeed: he wanted to become an English teacher. With his exceptional self-taught English skills, he seriously considered this path during his early years. He even began teaching in a small, informal way. However, after working with his very first group of students, he decided to abandon the idea completely. What makes this story especially touching is that those first students were none other than his own BTS bandmates.

Namjoon’s English ability is legendary among fans. He learned the language mostly on his own as a teenager by watching the American sitcom Friends. His mother encouraged him to study the show, and he progressed from watching with Korean subtitles to English subtitles, and finally without any subtitles at all. This dedication helped him score highly on English proficiency tests and developed a natural, fluent command of the language that few non-native speakers achieve. Because of this talent, Namjoon once quietly dreamed of becoming an English teacher as a stable, meaningful profession if the risky path of becoming a rapper and idol failed. Teaching would allow him to share knowledge and connect with others — values that have always been important to him.

In the early days of BTS, when the group was still trainees and struggling to improve their communication skills for international opportunities, Namjoon took on the role of English teacher for the members. He tried his best to conduct lessons and help them practice. However, things did not go as smoothly as he had imagined. The other members — Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook — found English challenging, and their progress was slow. In later interviews and group conversations, the members humorously recalled these “classes.” Jin once joked that “the teacher is good, but the students aren’t that great.” Namjoon responded with a mix of fondness and exhaustion, saying he showed a lot of willpower but felt like he had never really taught them anything. He added that there was nothing to regret because their Korean identity was part of their charm. Suga mentioned learning English in his own way, while Jungkook noted that their imperfect English was simply who they were as Koreans.

These lighthearted stories reveal the real reason Namjoon gave up on his teaching dream so quickly. Trying to teach his bandmates English turned out to be far more difficult and frustrating than expected. The members were not the most focused or quick learners in this area, and the experience left Namjoon feeling that his efforts were not yielding the results he hoped for. Instead of pursuing formal teaching, he channeled his language skills into supporting BTS as their unofficial translator and spokesperson during international interviews and events. This role became one of his most important contributions to the group’s global success. Over time, as BTS grew, Namjoon’s English helped open doors around the world, from United Nations speeches to collaborations with Western artists.

This chapter in Namjoon’s life teaches several meaningful lessons. First, having a backup plan shows wisdom and humility. Even someone as talented as RM prepared for the possibility of failure in the highly competitive entertainment industry. Second, teaching is never easy, no matter how knowledgeable the instructor is. Patience, student motivation, and clear methods all play crucial roles. Namjoon’s experience with his bandmates highlights how group dynamics and individual differences can make teaching more complex than it appears. Third, sometimes giving up on one path allows us to excel in another. By letting go of the formal teaching idea, Namjoon fully embraced his role as BTS’s leader and became an even more effective communicator for the entire group.

In the end, RM’s short-lived dream of becoming an English teacher reflects his thoughtful personality and lifelong passion for learning. Although he quietly walked away from the idea after those first challenging lessons with his bandmates, his English skills continued to shine and serve a greater purpose. They helped BTS connect with millions of fans worldwide and established Namjoon as a respected voice on art, society, and personal growth. Today, as BTS continues to make history, fans appreciate how Namjoon’s early struggles and dreams shaped the intelligent, caring leader we admire. His story reminds us that even when a plan does not work out exactly as imagined, it can still lead to something beautiful and meaningful in unexpected ways.