It’s been seven years, yet the message of “Love Yourself” that RM shared in his inspiring 2019 United Nations speech remains as powerful as ever. It wasn’t just an empty slogan or a mere PR campaign — it was the reflection of what each member of BTS had personally lived through.

Among them, RM’s journey embo∂ιєs that message most vividly. Starting out as an underdog from the underground rap scene, he was once looked down upon and dismissed as talentless, someone with no future. He was also belittled by those who called themselves “real rappers,” who insisted that idols could never be rappers — and that rappers would never wear makeup, dress up, or dance like K-pop idols.

But perhaps the most painful part of RM’s past was the relentless body shaming and ridicule over his looks. Who could have imagined that the current global ambαѕѕador for Bottega Veneta was once labeled as “too ugly to ever succeed”?. 

Of course, over time, RM’s unprecedented success silenced those voices — there’s no longer any valid way to criticize his talent, character, or appearance. ARMYs have also become stronger in protecting their leader from toxic individuals. Yet that doesn’t mean the mockery has completely stopped.

Recently, RM has become the target of another round of ridicule — this time involving the name “Indy Barends.” Although neither RM nor the veteran Indonesian TV host have any connection to each other or have ever mentioned one another, both were suddenly dragged into an online joke mocking RM’s appearance — even joined by a local brand.

The issue began when an Indonesian X (formerly Twitter) user named @magruderjazz quote-retweeted a post from @hanrosed on November 2, 2025, writing “indy barens” under a photo of RM attending The APEC CEO Summit кσяєα 2025.

What did this mean? The user was endorsing the original tweet’s claim — that ARMYs “refuse to admit” RM is “ugly.” Comparing him to the Indonesian MC was clearly meant as an insult to his looks.

The original tweet has since been deleted, leaving only screenshots circulating online. Still, @magruderjazz’s post went viral, reaching 8 million views as of November 7, 2025, along with 7.7K retweets and quote retweets, 2K comments, and 34K likes.

Not stopping there, several other accounts followed suit, gaining hundreds of thousands of likes for similar posts mocking RM’s appearance by comparing him to the TV host. Many Indonesian users filled the replies with offensive, mocking comments about RM’s looks, with some going as far as posting hateful or vulgar remarks.

What drew even more backlash was that a local cosmetics brand, Soмєтнinc, also joined in the mockery. The brand was caught commenting “Stop it, bro” under comedian Gilang Bhaskara’s tweet that simply read “Indy Barends,” using the phrase in a joking, meme-like tone instead of a serious response.

ARMYs viewed this trend as deeply offensive and damaging to RM. In response, fans launched a global defense campaign, posting loving messages, beautiful photos, and trending hashtags to show their support, including #ArmyStandWithNamjoon and #PurpleRibbonForNamjoon, accompanied by messages: “WE LOVE YOU RM. ARMY ALWAYS PROTECT YOU. PURPLE RIBBON FOR RM.”

They also couldn’t hold back their anger, calling out toxic individuals and demanding a boycott of the cosmetic brand that joined in on the mockery:

- Genuinely asking where do these Indonesian men get the audacity to speak on namjoon when they themselves look like they snuck on earth

- Try looking in the mirror before mocking other people. If you’re still using an avatar as your profile picture, don’t be so loud!! Acting like you’re so pretty, when in reality you’re just a h0de

- A huge, unprovoked hate train started against Namjoon in Indonesia. Plz help our Indonesian moots to clean the tl & protect Joon.

- Esem actually has a branch office in Indonesia. I think it's almost guaranteed that any hate train towards the Tannies in Indonesia is planned by it.

- Those who make nasty comments are still struggling in life, while Namjoon stays silent and his royalties keep flowing like water. Stop normalizing hating on someone’s appearance — especially when that person has done nothing to harm your life. That’s a mental illness.

- Using green and pink profile pictures — which were supposedly symbols of social solidarity — yet those same accounts are used to вυℓℓу someone who’s brought pride to their country. Just a bunch of useless guys, burdens to their families, who spend whatever money they have on online gambling and get itchy with jealousy whenever they see someone more successful — that’s why they attack people’s looks.

- Spread love towards Namjoon and let the Haters gone hate.. don't entertain any more bad comments

- Don’t bother engaging with those in denial, their whole agenda is mocking Namjoon. They know exactly what they’re doing. No need to argue, just boycott Soмєтнinc and move on.

- Waaah, so disappointing! Luckily I’ve already stopped using their products. I wonder how the admin is doing now that ARMYs are this angry?? Don’t try to make excuses, that’s so embarrαѕѕing!

- Wow, even a beauty brand can вυℓℓу people now? I’m definitely going to stop subscribing to their serum from now on.

- Okay, I’m going to stop using their products, even though the Batman collaboration lip balm was really good

- Jobless people always dragging him

- Why do people like this even exist? How can they say things like that and still call themselves human? They’re nothing but animals.