BTS RM (Kim Nam-joon) was appointed the group leader because he was there before BTS was fully formed. BigHit Entertainment first recruited him for his rap talent; his communication skills and confidence made him a natural leader. 

Before BTS became a seven-member idol group, BigHit Entertainment had already signed RM . The original concept was closer to a hip-hop crew built around him. Later, Jin, Suga, Jhope, Jimin, V and Jungkook joined the group. 

BTS RM's role was not just about being the oldest or loudest member. He was born in 1994, so he was not the group's oldest member — Jin is. His leadership, therefore, grew around his ability to communicate and represent the team.

BTS RM himself explained this clearly in a 2017 Teen Vogue interview: "It's my official role to represent the seven-member group to the world." He also added that behind the scenes, he was 'one of the members'.

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As the Kpop group began appearing internationally, BTS RM became the member who could communicate most comfortably in English. According to TIME, he was the group's only fluent English speaker at the time. That made him especially important during international interviews and public appearances.

BTS  RM has never presented himself as being above the other six. In the same Teen Vogue interview, he said that being leader had been 'a chance for me to mature as a person' but immediately stressed that he was still one of seven and learned from the other members.

The other members have also described the weight of his position. In a 2026 interview with GQ BTS reunion feature, V called RM 'the identity of this group' and said he was the 'core leader' who carried more pressure than the others. 

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To wrap it up:

BTS RM wasn't chosen because he was the oldest, or simply the most popular. He was the first member, the early foundation of the project, an experienced rapper and lyricist, and eventually the member best positioned to communicate BTS’s ideas to the outside world. The leadership title grew naturally from that combination.

Happy Birthday, BTS RM!

FAQ

1. When is BTS RM's birthday, and how old is he?

BTS RM (Kim Nam-joon) was born on September 12, 1994.

2. Why is RM the leader of BTS instead of the oldest member?

RM was appointed as the leader because he was the first member to join BTS, has strong, fluent English communication skills, and plays a major role as a producer and songwriter for the group.

3. Who are all seven members of BTS?

The seven members are RM, Jin, Suga, Jhope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook.