The Potential of RM from BTS to Become a Megastar in the Pop Genre

Before elaborating on my answer, let me clarify some points. I don’t consider Jungkook (Jungkook, or JK) a megastar because that label entails far more than just breaking some records or having a significant influence like Madonna or Michael Jackson. JK is an undoubtedly successful artist, and according to Business Insider, the only two rappers on their list of the best-selling artists of all time are Eminem at No. 12 and Tupac at No. 43. Even today, there are superstar rappers, but rap has never dominated the charts as much as pop and rock.

The terms megastar and superstar in music are often associated with the pop genre, although every genre has artists with great success and influence. Besides, this question is about the potential of an artist, mainly a rapper, in comparison to another artist who is in the pop genre, so I will consider that as a basis.

BTS members are already successful individually, and some have the innate potential to become a star in the sense of a pop star. However, in the business world, if you have an artist who is already leaning towards pop music and has the necessary characteristics or innate qualities, it becomes easier to market them and achieve success. Various factors need to be considered when discussing potential, including the company's marketing strategy and the artist's desire to choose this route.

Characteristics and Expectations of a Pop Star

Let's talk about some characteristics and expectations of a pop star. A pop star, as exemplified by Dua Lipa, was cyberbullied years ago for being stiff while dancing according to the internet. Troye Sivan, who was not that mainstream in the past, had to incorporate dance into his performances. Therefore, a pop star is expected to be more than just a performer, combining elements of attractiveness, rhythmic performance, and the ability to entertain the audience.

As an example, consider Taylor Swift. She has moved more towards pop but is not heavily criticized for not dancing, even though she started as a country musician and has always been known for her storytelling and lyricism. However, she has had to incorporate choreography into her stadium concerts to cater to the expectations of the pop audience. This shows that a pop star needs to be versatile and entertain beyond their comfort zone.

RM and His Pop Potential

Returning to RM from BTS, the same could apply. RM's lyrics are compelling, and he could deliver a BTS-level choreography. However, is that his innate individual style or his preference for his solo albums? Considering the idea of RM as a pop star feels unnatural because he is not like that. If RM were to become a pop star, it would be more as a business strategy tied to current trends rather than simply his personal artistic choice.

With this in mind, Tupac and Eminem were on the list of best-selling artists led by pop stars and rock bands during crucial eras. Tupac was in the golden era of Hip-Hop, and in an era dominated by pop stars, Eminem thrived due to his talent and the help of Dr. Dre. Therefore, RM's potential to become a megastar in the pop genre is:

- Yes, but unlikely as a megastar.
Due to many factors, including the overall industry trends, the type of music, and the marketing strategy, it's more a matter of business strategy and personal artistic decision rather than just the artist's preference or talent alone.

Ultimately, RM from BTS has the potential to become a more mainstream pop artist with the right push from the company and his willingness to adapt to current trends. However, it's important to note that becoming a megastar like his bandmate Jungkook would require a significant shift in his current style, which might not come naturally or be preferred by the artist.