On December 12, ARMYs belatedly commemorated BTS RM’s inclusion in The Pixel Project’s list of “16 Male Role Models Helping Stop Violence Against Women” released on the 4th.

The Pixel Project is a non-profit organization founded in 2009 with the mission to stop violence against women (VAW) through various campaigns and projects including popular culture and the arts.

Among the 16 significant personalities listed, the global K-pop star ranked ninth. The article particularly praises RM for taking responsibility for his previous controversial misogynistic lyrics in some BTS songs by taking women and gender studies classes.

This also led him to have his writing checked by a women’s studies professor until now.

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“She has since used her enormous platform to influence pop culture and the arts in support of women,” the NPO added.

Although ARMYs (BTS fandom) acknowledged this recognition, it, however, sparked criticism among female idol supporters, claiming that RM did nothing to stop VAW.

Netizens highlighted RM’s connection to Lee Jin Wook, who was accused of being a sexual predator. They added that the idol remained silent while some ARMYs hurled hateful and demeaning comments against idols like NewJeans, BLACKPINK, and others, in the context of her defense from other fandoms.

RM’s supporters quickly took his side and added more reasons why the BTS leader deserved his place on the list.

“Namjoon was literally blacklisted by Korean men for being a fan,” one fan said.

“He is the reason why HYBE organizes gender sensitivity training for their trainees. I can’t say the name of other idols,” another fan said.

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