BTS leader RM just achieved something ARMY has been waiting years to see — the rapper finally got behind the wheel and shared his very first driving video. At 31 years old, Kim Namjoon conquered a long-standing personal fear by obtaining his driver’s license in December 2025, and on February 18, 2026, he gave fans the moment they had been asking for. The clip went instantly viral, but the sweetest part? Even his own mother couldn’t believe it was real.
RM’s First Driving Video Goes Viral
On February 18 — which also happens to be J-Hope’s birthday — RM posted a 16-second clip on his Instagram account @rkive showing himself driving a Hyundai sedan. The caption read “Smiling while driving #I’mAlsoLaughing” in Korean, and the video was set to Seo Taiji’s song “Moai.”
True to being a brand new driver, RM gripped the steering wheel tightly with both hands, his posture showing a mix of concentration and visible excitement. While his driving appeared cautious and slightly unstable — exactly what you’d expect from someone who just got their license — what truly stood out was his wide, unmistakable smile. The BTS leader looked genuinely happy, and ARMY couldn’t get enough of it.
The video immediately exploded across social media, with fans flooding X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram with reactions ranging from pride to disbelief to pure joy.
“Mom, This Isn’t AI” — The Sweetest Exchange
If the driving video itself wasn’t heartwarming enough, RM followed it up with an Instagram story that sent ARMY into complete meltdown mode. He shared a screenshot of a text conversation with his mother, who had seen the video and responded with genuine confusion.
RM’s mom wrote: “Son, is this real?? Haha, it looks real^^”
RM replied simply: “Mom, it’s real. It isn’t AI.”
The exchange perfectly captured the disbelief even RM’s own family felt seeing him finally drive. Fans immediately latched onto the moment, with one ARMY writing, “How does she even fall for that lmao, RM’s gotta be the chillest son ever.” Another added, “Only your parents can roast you, it doesn’t matter how old or famous you become.”
Why This Moment Means So Much to ARMY
For those who haven’t followed BTS closely, RM’s journey to getting a driver’s license has been a long-running and affectionate joke within the fandom. For years, RM was the only member of BTS who couldn’t drive. While Jin, SUGA, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook had all been spotted behind the wheel at various points — whether in variety shows, personal vlogs, or casual social media posts — Namjoon remained firmly in the passenger seat.
Fans lovingly nicknamed him the “Passenger Princess” of BTS, and RM himself openly embraced the joke. He was known for his love of cycling instead, which he documented in his 2021 solo song “Bicycle”, released during the annual BTS Festa celebrations. The track became synonymous with his preference for two wheels over four.
However, during a Weverse livestream in December 2025, RM shocked fans by revealing he had finally obtained his Class 2 driver’s license in Korea. He admitted it was his second attempt — he had previously failed the road test after crossing the centre line during a U-turn because “the paint was faded.”
More importantly, RM opened up about why getting the license mattered so much to him personally. “I wanted to overcome my trauma,” he said during the livestream, explaining that while he had no immediate plans to buy his own car, “I just wanted to try it.”
That vulnerable confession resonated deeply with ARMY, many of whom saw RM’s journey as a reminder to face their own fears.
ARMY Celebrates — And Gets Inspired
The reactions to RM’s driving video have been overwhelmingly emotional and supportive. Fans didn’t just celebrate the milestone — they also drew personal inspiration from it.
One ARMY wrote: “Everyone has no excuse anymore. Get that license. Study that thing. Do the scary thing. Kim Namjoon is on the road.”
Another added: “Weirdly emotional about Namjoon driving. It feels like a page has turned, not just for him but for ARMY too.”
Some fans even shared their own plans to tackle personal challenges, with comments like “I’m probably going to learn next year” and “I’m gonna move out before my birthday, it’s scary but I’ll do it.”
RM’s achievement also sparked a fun trend where fans compiled photos of all seven BTS members driving, celebrating the fact that the group is now complete in this regard. One fan joked, “First in my bloodline to witness Namjoon driving a car.”
“Nuts” Re-Enters the Charts
Interestingly, when RM first announced he had obtained his driver’s license back in December 2025, fans mass-streamed his solo track “Nuts” from his 2024 album Right Place, Wrong Person. The song’s lyrics — “He a pro ridah, hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo rider / Must be an A1 guider” — suddenly felt prophetic.
“Nuts” unexpectedly re-entered Billboard’s World Digital Song Sales chart at number 2 and topped the iTunes Top Songs chart in a total of 45 countries and regions. Following the driving video’s release, the song is experiencing another surge in streams, with fans celebrating RM’s real-life transformation into a “pro ridah.”
J-Hope’s Birthday Reaction
Since RM posted the driving video on J-Hope’s 32nd birthday, fans naturally asked Hobi during his birthday Weverse live whether he would trust RM behind the wheel. When one ARMY asked, “Do you have the courage to go for a drive with Namjoon?” J-Hope hesitated, nodded slowly, and replied with a grin: “Someday!”
The response had fans laughing, with many noting that J-Hope’s cautious optimism was entirely understandable given RM’s novice status.
What’s Next for BTS?
RM’s driving milestone comes ahead of BTS’s highly anticipated comeback. The group is set to release their new album ARIRANG on March 20, 2026, alongside a concert at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul and an extensive world tour. After completing their mandatory military service, all seven members are back together, and ARMY worldwide is gearing up for what promises to be one of the biggest comebacks in K-pop history.
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