Japanese fans are reportedly disappointed as RM of BTS is said to be heavily addicted to smoking to the point where he cannot control it in public spaces. Their frustration has escalated so far that, unable to stop their idol, some fans have even gone as far as purchasing shares in tobacco companies.
While RM continues to be praised as the deep and intellectual symbol of BTS, a wave of Japanese fans are said to be heartbroken and outraged over what they believe is his real image. Moments of him allegedly smoking openly in public without concealment have shaken the local fan community.
Sources say that despite repeated advice, direct interventions, and even emotional pleas from fans, RM has been unable to stop. Reports from insiders suggest that the disappointment has grown so intense that a group of loyal fans made an extreme decision: investing money into major tobacco corporations just to feel “closer” to their idol’s habits.
The scandal is sending shockwaves through the ARMY community in Japan, a country where smoking in public is heavily frowned upon and strict social etiquette reigns supreme. What was once whispered in small fan circles has now exploded into heated online discussions, late-night forum threads, and private group chats filled with screenshots, blurry photos, and desperate theories.
According to multiple local fan accounts that have spoken anonymously, RM’s smoking habit is not occasional or hidden — it is described as compulsive and visible. Witnesses claim to have seen the BTS leader lighting up near hotels, backstage areas, and even during casual walks in Tokyo and Osaka, paying little attention to the stunned fans gathering at a distance. One source close to the fanbase told reporters, “He would finish one cigarette and immediately reach for another. It wasn’t discreet. It looked like he couldn’t help himself.”
This revelation has hit especially hard in Japan, where BTS enjoys massive popularity but also faces intense scrutiny over personal image and discipline. Japanese fans have long prided themselves on their dedication — organizing flawless fan meetings, creating elaborate gifts, and maintaining respectful boundaries. Now, that same dedication is turning into painful confusion.
The most bizarre twist in this unfolding drama is the tobacco stock purchase. Insiders reveal that after months of failed attempts to “help” their idol through letters, petitions, and subtle hints during fan events, a small but determined faction of fans took drastic action. They pooled resources and bought shares in several major international tobacco companies. Their reasoning? “If we can’t stop him, at least we can feel involved in his world.”
This move has left even seasoned K-pop observers speechless. Financial records and trading activity screenshots circulating in fan communities appear to support the claims, showing unusual spikes in individual investments from accounts linked to Japanese ARMY members shortly after alleged sightings of RM smoking.
As the story spreads, questions are multiplying faster than answers. How long has this been going on? Why hasn’t the management company addressed it publicly? Are there deeper personal struggles behind the addiction that the public doesn’t know about? And most importantly — will this affect RM’s future activities with BTS?
Some fans defend him fiercely, arguing that celebrities are human too and that smoking doesn’t diminish his talent, leadership, or the powerful messages he delivers through music and poetry. Others feel betrayed, saying the image RM built as a thoughtful, health-conscious artist now feels cracked.
The situation has created a deep divide within the Japanese ARMY. Supportive fans are organizing “positive energy” campaigns, while disappointed ones are quietly stepping back or channeling their emotions into the controversial stock-buying strategy. Online spaces that used to be filled with fan art and concert clips are now flooded with debates, leaked photos, and emotional threads.
Industry experts following BTS closely note that this could be part of a larger pattern of pressure that idols face after years at the top. The relentless schedule, global expectations, and personal isolation often lead to private coping mechanisms that eventually surface. However, few expected it to manifest so publicly in a market as image-conscious as Japan.

Rumors are also swirling about possible internal discussions within HYBE. Will they implement stricter guidelines? Is a hiatus or personal break in the works? Or will they continue the silence, hoping the story fades like previous controversies?
For now, Japanese fans remain in a state of stunned disbelief. The man they looked up to as a role model of intellect and calm is reportedly battling something he cannot control in plain sight. And their love has driven them to an act so extreme — buying shares in cigarette companies — that it feels ripped straight from a psychological thriller.
This is only the beginning. More eyewitness accounts are emerging daily. More screenshots. More questions. The full picture is still hidden behind closed doors, but the cracks are widening.
What happens next could change how fans see RM forever.