BTS member RM recently caused a stir among fans by sharing an Instagram post featuring a humorous and cheeky statement about his love life.
The post, made three days ago, has led to various interpretations ranging from album spoilers to personal jokes.
The Post and the Product
RM, known for his style and intellectual curiosity, posted a photo of himself wearing a baseball cap that featured the embroidered slogan:
“Techno is my boyfriend.”
He captioned the picture simply with a laughing emoji, indicating the post was intended to be lighthearted and funny.
The cap, produced by the brand IDEA, quickly sold out online due to the attention generated by the post.
Fan Theory 1: The New Album Spoiler
The most popular interpretation among fans is that the hat serves as a spoiler for BTS’s upcoming album.
This theory aligns with previous statements by RM and other members, who mentioned that the new album would feature a variety of genres they haven’t extensively tried before.
Given that member V recently shared jazz music, and now RM is referencing techno, fans speculate that the next BTS release will be a diverse exploration of electronic, jazz, and other genres, with “Techno” being one of the new sounds to anticipate.
RM (Credit: X)
RM himself has previously expressed his personal interest in both techno and house music during a live broadcast, lending credibility to the idea that this genre could make it onto the new group album.
Fan Theory 2: A Playful Personal Statement
Other fans interpreted the post as a playful response to the persistent dating rumors that often circulate about K-pop idols.
By joking that his “boyfriend” is an entire genre of music—techno—RM could be subtly dismissing any speculation about his relationship status and asserting his focus on his art and passion for music.
Fan Reactions: Jealousy and Intrigue
Regardless of the intended meaning, the statement immediately captured the fandom’s attention.
Reactions ranged from humorous “jealousy” toward the non-existent rival, “Techno,” to intense excitement over the potential album spoiler.
The entire episode is typical of how BTS members often use subtle or humorous methods—like fashion and social media posts—to communicate with fans and generate buzz about their creative endeavors.
The Controversial Financial and Military Claims
The controversy stems from a lengthy Facebook post discussing SEVENTEEN , HYBE, and BTS . Vernon’s mother made two major claims regarding the business relationship between the groups:
- Acknowledging BTS’s Role: She admitted that BTS’s massive success was responsible for building the company (HYBE) that was subsequently able to acquire Pledis Entertainment, SEVENTEEN’s label.
- The “Income Loss” Assertion: She then claimed that HYBE was using SEVENTEEN to “offset the inevitable income loss” that would occur when the BTS members began their mandatory military enlistment. This specific framing was seen as a slight by many BTS fans, suggesting SEVENTEEN was being used as a financial crutch.
The “Paved The Way” Comment
In response to commenters on her post, Vernon’s mother further fueled the fire by entering the long-standing debate over who truly “paved the way” for K-pop’s global success.
She explicitly stated that other acts “might rightfully be considered the act that truly paved the way,” implying that BTS does not deserve the full credit.
She instead credited YG Entertainment’s BIGBANG and the global viral sensation PSY for the genre’s rise.
Fandom Reactions and Secondary Accusations
The remarks immediately sparked heated reactions from the BTS fandom:
- Fan Condemnation: ARMYs condemned the statements, with many calling Vernon’s mother “bitter” and “a loser” for engaging in the fan debate publicly.
Vernon and BTS (Credit: YouTube)
- Recalling Past Incidents: Fans also brought up a separate, past incident where another SEVENTEEN member, Hoshi, allegedly liked an Instagram post that was perceived as shading BTS, suggesting a pattern of resentment.
- Political Allegations: Further digging by netizens revealed other posts on her personal account that allegedly showed support for controversial U.S. political figures, including former President Donald Trump, intensifying the backlash and drawing further criticism about her public presence and views.
The Plea to Protect the Idol
In the wake of the controversy, SEVENTEEN fans (CARATs) came forward to defend the idol himself, making a clear distinction between the parent and the artist:
They strongly requested that Vernon be kept out of the conversation, stating that he is his own person and should not be held accountable for the opinions and actions of his family member.
CARATs also urged fellow fans to stop sharing posts from her personal Facebook account to limit the spread of the sensitive content.
The incident highlights the volatile nature of K-pop fan wars and the intense scrutiny that extends beyond idols to their families, especially concerning sensitive industry topics like the financial workings of HYBE and the legacy debate surrounding the “paved the way” title.
