&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium "BTS RM controversy: The Pixel Project withdraws role model recognition after Chris Brown concert backlash")
South Korean boy band BTS' leader RM is grabbing headlines for all the wrong reasons. The K-pop idol is facing another wave of trouble after The Pixel Project announced that it had indefinitely suspended him from its list of male role models. The decision comes after RM and J-Hope attended Chris Brown's concert in Toronto and posed for photographs with the singer.
The Pixel Project issues a statement for removing RM from their list of role models
The Pixel Project subsequently announced that it was indefinitely suspending RM from its list of male
role models. The organisation said it had waited for him to issue a public explanation or acknowledgement concerning the decision to attend the concert and interact with Brown. It said that after a week without a response, it decided to suspend him from its role-model list.
According to the organisation's statement, RM had been included in its 2024 honour roll after its research found that he had taken steps to address internalised misogyny, supported women in the arts and spoken about violence against women in South Korea. The organisation said it had also featured him in a 2025 Father's Day article as an example of an “imperfect male role model” who was making an effort to learn and improve.
Trending Stories
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
National Handloom Day 2026: From Alia Bhatt to Samantha Ruth Prabhu; Actresses who celebrated India's textile heritage as brides
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
Unitree Robotics targets $9 billion valuation in landmark IPO backed by DeepSeek and Tencent
)
India names 27 sites in Arunachal Pradesh
)
Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata OTT: When will Kangana Ranaut's film stream online?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How many soldiers operate one S-400 battery?
)
Shakib Al Hasan ready to return to Bangladesh—under one condition
)
‘Fake news’: MEA rejects report claiming India sought defence pact with Israel after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey deal
)
Rockstar to unveil GTA 6 extended look ahead of November launch
)
Russia forms Ukrainian Volunteer Spetsnaz Brigade to fight Ukraine
)
Drug-resistant fungus that hides in hair and enters bloodstream reported in 23 US states
)
Technology transfer deal boosts India's defence manufacturing ambitions
)
Border row erupts in Europe after Ceuta crossings, Spain imposes border controls on Italy
)
Morale plummets on USS Abraham Lincoln: Are US sailors reaching a breaking point? | GRAVITAS
)
'Security can't be bought with Pakistan, Turkey deal': Iran tells Saudi Arabia
)
Baba Vanga's 2026 prophecy: 2 predictions 'already came true', 3 terrifying ones remain. Details inside
)
Colombia’s new president Abelardo de la Espriella vows to ‘defeat narco-terrorists’, signals hardline shift
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New Friday OTT releases (August 7, 2026): Operation Safed Sagar, Vadhandhi, Main Vaapis Aaunga- 6 movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth scripts history as Indian Air Force gets its first woman ‘Top Gun’ pilot
)
RSS says Gen Z protests reflect genuine distress
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
IAF officer held for sharing sensitive information in 'honey trap' case, booked under Official Secrets Act
)
Stray Kids under scrutiny? Fans react to Grammy submission silence after BTS boycott
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI doesn't need external fuel tanks to fly vast distances
)
Jugal Hansraj reunites with Shekhar Kapur after 40 years for Masoom: The Next Generation
)
New speed limits, automatic challans: Big traffic change coming to Delhi-Meerut Expressway. All you need to know
)
India officially names 27 places in Arunachal to counter China's renaming claims
)
Trump calls White House ballroom ruling a 'national disgrace' as court says Congress approval needed
)
US sanctions Iran’s crypto network after Strait of Hormuz attacks, offers $15m bounty for intel on IRGC finance
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI is one of the heaviest fighters ever built
)
Uttarakhand young innovator builds India's own flying vehicle, conducts first test flight: WATCH
)
Chilling video shows students take cover as teen opens fire at Thai school
)
Reese Witherspoon's father hospitalised after poolside incident in Nashville: Report
They stated, "Effective today, we are indefinitely suspending RM from our list of male role models. We will also be reviewing and revising our Father’s Day 2025 op-ed that featured RM as a case study of a good but imperfect male role model." They had also mentioned that in 2024, The Pixel Project had included Kim Namjoon better known as RM, the leader of BTS, the biggest boy band in the world – in our 5th honour roll of 16 male role models helping to stop violence against women. We did so in good faith after conducting due diligence which showed that he had taken steps over the years to address his own internalised misogyny, support women in the arts, and speak out about violence against women in intensely patriarchal South Korea. "
What is The Pixel Project?
The Pixel Project is a volunteer-led nonprofit organisation focused on raising awareness and support around violence against women and girls through social media, popular culture and other online initiatives. Its long-running Celebrity Male Role Model campaign highlights men it believes can help shift conversations around gender-based violence.
So far, RM has not publicly responded to the criticism or the Pixel Project's decision. J-Hope has also not publicly commented on the backlash over the concert appearance. BTS' agency has not issued a statement specifically addressing the controversy either.
When did BTS' RM and J-Hope attend Chris Brown's concert?
BTS members J-Hope and RM attended a concert featuring Chris Brown and Usher on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Rogers Stadium in Toronto. The two BTS members enjoyed the set, shared social media footage (including dancing to Look at Me Now), and met both Chris Brown and Usher backstage for photos.
Also Read: BTS' Jungkook opens up about attending Stray Kids' concert, praises Bang Chan in live broadcast
The public appearance drew online criticism from some fans who pointed to Chris Brown's past legal controversies and assault convictions. Other fans defended the members, noting they may have just been enjoying the music or supporting general artists, while neither the members nor their agency issued a public statement regarding the debate.
