BTS leader RM finally got behind the wheel and shared his first driving video with fans on February 18, 2026, and the internet immediately exploded with emotions, jokes, and overwhelming pride. The 31-year-old rapper, who admitted to having a trauma about driving, posted a clip of himself gripping the steering wheel with both hands while wearing a nervous but happy smile. His caption simply read, “Laughing while driving #ImFunnyToo.”
What followed was a flood of fan reactions on social media, with the BTS ARMY celebrating what they called a historic moment. The video, shared on RM’s Instagram account @rkive, showed the Indigo hitmaker doing something fans had never seen before in his 13-year careerโdriving a car. His bandmates had long teased him about being the only member without a license, often calling him a “passenger princess.” But on this day, Kim Namjoon proved he is now officially a driver.
The timing of the post also made it extra special. RM shared the video on his bandmate J-Hope’s birthday, after first posting a funny meme to wish him. Fans quickly noted the sweet coincidence and celebrated the double joy.
The Video That Broke the Internet: RM’s Beginner Driving Skills on Full Display
The short clip, which lasted only a few seconds, captured RM sitting in the driver’s seat of a car. Someone in the passenger seat filmed him as he drove. His posture immediately gave away his novice status. He held the steering wheel tightly with both hands, his knuckles slightly visible from the grip. His eyes focused on the road ahead, but a small, genuine smile spread across his face.
Fans found his expression absolutely endearing. It was the smile of someone conquering a personal fear. RM, who turns 32 in September, looked proud of himself, and that feeling instantly transferred to millions of fans watching the video worldwide.
His caption, “์์ผ๋ฉด์ ํฉ์๋ค, ๋๋ ์๊น,” translates to “Let’s laugh while doing it, I’m also funny.” The hashtag #๋๋์๊น (I’mAlsoFunny) showed his self-awareness about his beginner skills. He was not trying to look like a pro. He was simply sharing a real, relatable moment from his life.
His Mother’s Hilarious Reaction: “Is This Real or AI?”
Perhaps the most touching and funny part of this entire story came when RM shared a screenshot of his text conversation with his mother. The chat revealed that even his own family could not believe what they were seeing.
His mother texted him, “Son, is this real??” She then added, “Haha, it looks real^^,” expressing her disbelief that her son was actually driving. RM replied to his mom, assuring her, “Mom, this isn’t AI..”
This exchange made fans laugh even harder. In an age where deepfakes and AI-generated content are common, even RM’s own mother had to double-check if her son had truly achieved this milestone. The text message added a layer of warmth and humor to the entire situation, showing the close and playful relationship between the idol and his family.
Why This Moment Matters So Much: Overcoming Trauma at 31
For casual observers, a celebrity learning to drive might not seem like big news. But for those who follow BTS closely, this moment carried deep emotional weight. During a live broadcast on Weverse in December 2025, RM had opened up about why he finally decided to get his license at age 31.
He revealed that he “wanted to overcome my trauma.” He admitted that he had no immediate plans to buy his own car, but he simply wanted to try. During that same live broadcast, his bandmate J-Hope teased him about rumors that he had failed the test once. RM honestly explained what went wrong. “I crossed the center line while making a U-turn. The paint was faded,” he said.
He also confessed that while he can drive, parking remains a challenge. “I need to take lessons for that,” he added. This honesty about his struggles made fans love him even more. Here was a global superstar, someone who has performed in front of hundreds of thousands of people, admitting that he was scared of something as ordinary as driving. And then, he worked to overcome that fear.
For years, RM was associated with bicycles. He even released a song called “Bicycle” in 2021, where he sang about the freedom he felt while riding. The bicycle became a symbol of his personalityโcalm, thoughtful, and a little bit of a loner. Seeing him trade two wheels for four marked a significant personal evolution.
Fan Reactions: From Tears to Jokes, ARMY Shows Pure Love
As soon as the video dropped, social media platforms, especially X (formerly Twitter), lit up with reactions. The BTS ARMY did what they do bestโthey turned a moment into a celebration.
Many fans expressed how proud they were. One user wrote, “The same Kim Namjoon who said he’s afraid of driving now doing it with the biggest smile on his face.. oh words can’t explain how proud and happy i feel rn. my baby.”
Another fan declared, “18th Feb 2026 shud he celebrated as national holiday in boranation in honor of Kim namjoon driving for the first time idfc!!!!” The sentiment was shared by thousands who felt like they had witnessed a personal victory for the artist they admire.
Humor also took center stage. Fans immediately started calling RM a “pro rider,” referencing his own lyrics from his solo track “Nuts.” The song, from his 2024 album Right Place, Wrong Person, contains the lines: “He a pro ridah, hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo rider / Must be an A1 guider.”
When RM first announced he got his license in December, “Nuts” experienced a massive resurgence. It re-entered the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart at number two and topped iTunes charts in 45 countries. Now, with the video proof of him driving, the song is trending again.
One fan cleverly tweeted, “He’s a pro rider, hoo hoo hoo hoo, rider Must be an A1 guider Nobody can’t stop him.” Another added, “HE’S DRIVING OMG HE A PRO RIDER HO HO HO RIDER!!!!!”
A particularly funny reaction came from a fan who said, “I’M SO FREAKING PROUD OF HIM HE IS NOT A PASSENGER PRINCESS ANYMORE ๐ญ๐ญ๐ญ๐ญ๐ญ.” This referred to the long-running joke that RM was always the one sitting in the backseat while others drove.
The steering wheel grip became a meme on its own. Fans noticed how tightly he held it, with both hands at ten and two, the way driving instructors teach beginners. They found it adorable that a man who commands stadiums looked so careful and slightly nervous while doing something as routine as driving.
Inspiration for Fans: “No Excuse Anymore”
Beyond the jokes and the celebrations, RM’s driving video inspired many fans to face their own fears. Several people took to social media to share that they too have been scared of driving, and seeing RM do it gave them courage.
A fan tweeted, “Everyone has no excuse anymore. Get that license. Study that thing. Do the scary thing. Kim Namjoon is on the road. Driving besties to places and driving armys crazy. Get it!”
Others responded with their own plans. One person wrote, “I’m probably going to learn next year (crying emoji).” Another shared, “I’m gonna move out before my bday, it’s scary but I’ll do it.”
This is the kind of impact RM has on his fandom. He does not just entertain; he leads by example. By sharing his vulnerabilityโadmitting he had trauma, admitting he failed the test the first time, and then showing himself succeedingโhe gave his fans permission to try things they are afraid of.
BTS Comeback News: ARIRANG and Full Group Activities
While RM’s driving video is the hot topic right now, fans are also eagerly awaiting BTS‘s full-group comeback. The group is set to release their fifth full-length album titled “ARIRANG” on March 20, 2026.
Following the album release, BTS will hold a special live event called “BTS Comeback Live: Arirang” at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on March 21. This stage will be broadcast live on Netflix, allowing global fans to watch the historic moment.
The album is reported to contain 14 tracks and will focus on the theme of “BTS right now,” sharing honest stories about the group’s present. This marks their first full-group activity after all members completed their mandatory military service.
RM shared his driving video during this exciting pre-comeback period, adding to the joy fans are feeling. With new music on the horizon and now proof that all seven members can drive, the ARMY has plenty of reasons to celebrate.
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Looking at the Bigger Picture: All Seven Members Can Now Drive
This milestone also means that for the first time in BTS‘s history, all seven membersโJin, SUGA, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkookโare licensed drivers. Over the years, fans have seen various members drive on variety shows like “Run BTS” or in other content. RM was the last holdout.
Now, the group is complete in yet another way. It is a small but satisfying detail for long-time fans who have followed their journey from trainees to global superstars. Seeing RM finally join the ranks of drivers among his friends feels like watching the last puzzle piece fall into place.
The video also comes at a time when BTS members are increasingly sharing personal moments with fans. After completing their military service, the members have been more active on social media, giving glimpses into their daily lives. RM’s driving video is a perfect example of this new, more open chapter.
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