BTS Leader RM Injured Days Before Comeback Performance, Will Appear With Limited Mobility
RM will take the stage under restricted conditions this week after suffering an ankle injury during rehearsals, just days before BTS long-awaited return to live performance.
The group’s agency, Big Hit, confirmed the injury in a statement posted to Weverse, detailing that RM was taken to the hospital on March 19 after experiencing pain while preparing for the upcoming concert. Medical evaluation revealed multiple issues, including a sprain affecting the accessory navicular, a partial ligament tear, and a talus contusion, an injury involving both bone impact and ligament inflammation.
Doctors have advised that RM wear a cast and significantly limit movement for at least two weeks to prevent further damage. As a result, his participation in the group’s comeback performance will be adjusted.
According to the agency, RM will still appear on stage, but choreography and physical movement will be scaled back. The decision, the company said, was made in consultation with both medical professionals and the artist, with the priority placed on recovery rather than short-term performance demands.
The injury comes at a critical moment for BTS, who are preparing to return to the stage together for the first time since 2022. Their upcoming performance in Seoul, set to take place at Gwanghwamun, marks the group’s first full live appearance since completing a hiatus during which all seven members fulfilled South Korea’s mandatory military service.
Expectations surrounding the comeback have been high, both domestically and internationally. The performance also coincides with the release of the group’s fifth studio album, Arirang, their first full-length project since before the hiatus.
In its statement, Big Hit acknowledged the potential disappointment among fans but emphasized that RM remains committed to participating in the event to the extent that his condition allows. The agency said he intends to be present on stage and engage with the audience, even if his physical role is limited.
The group’s return extends beyond a single performance. BTS is scheduled to appear at a special fan event in the United States on March 23, followed by the launch of an extensive world tour beginning April 9. The tour is expected to include 82 dates, signaling a full-scale return to global promotion after nearly two years away from the stage as a complete unit.
RM’s injury introduces an element of uncertainty at the start of this new chapter. While the timeline for recovery suggests he may regain full mobility relatively quickly, the immediate focus remains on preventing further strain.
The situation also highlights the physical demands placed on performers during comeback cycles, particularly for groups like BTS, whose live shows are built around tightly coordinated choreography and high-energy staging. Even minor injuries can have a noticeable impact on performance structure.
