BTS’ RM Learned English From Watching This ’90s Sitcom

He loves to write music and hang out with his dog. When he’s overseas, however, RM often acts as the translator for BTS because he is bilingual. Here’s what this rapper said about the unconventional way he picked up the second language — by watching a popular ‘90s sitcom.

RM is one of the BTS members who fluent in English

He can rap in English and in Korean. As the leader of BTS, RM often acts as the spokesperson and the translator for the group, putting his bilingual skills to good use during interviews. Since their debut, a few of the other members of this K-pop group picked up the second (or third) language. 

Jungkook shared that he’s been practicing and studying pretty often, with a goal of holding a conversation with a foreigner before the year ends. For their recent release, “Dynamite,” each of the BTS members sang entirely in English. 

However, it wouldn’t be the first time for V, who released the solo song “Winter Bear” a year prior. For RM, while overseas, this rapper discussed how he picked up English by watching a popular American television series, even visiting the set while in Los Angeles. 

How did RM learn English?

Graf- During one interview on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, the leader of BTS explained how he became fluent in English.

“I taught myself English. My English teacher was the sitcom Friends. Back in the days when I was like 15, 14, it was like a syndrome for Korean parents to make their kids watch Friends. I thought I was a victim at that time, but now I’m the lucky one,” RM said during the talk show.

“Thanks to my mother, she bought all the seasons on DVDs, there’s ten of them,” he continued. “Firstly, I watched with the Korean subtitles, then the next time I watched with English subtitles, then I just removed it. I love Friends.”

RM mentioned how he learned English to James Corden

When RM described how he learned English with this sitcom on The Late Late Show With James Corden, Jin and Suga had some thoughts regarding how he managed to do that. They were in the back of the car during Carpool Karaoke, though, so RM didn’t exactly hear them.

“Well, I’ve watched Friends, too, but I can’t speak English,” Jin said. Suga laughed, saying, “Me too. I enjoyed watching it.” 

“Me too, it was fun,” Jin responded, with Yoongi then saying ‘He memorized it to study.”

The “Dynamite” music video is now available on YouTube. Music by BTS, including their recently released album, Map of the Soul: 7, is available for streaming on Spotify, Apple Music, and most major platforms.