BTS member RM has become the target of online criticism after landing at No. 20 on a yearly ranking of the Most Handsome Faces of K-Pop, with some netizens taking to social media to mock his placement.

The annual list, published by a popular account, named AND2BLE’s Zhang Hao as this year’s winner. Several BTS members were also included, but RM’s ranking quickly became a talking point among online users.

RM’s Ranking Sparks Backlash

RM, whose real name is Kim Namjoon, placed 20th on the list. While the ranking was intended to celebrate K-pop stars’ visuals, his inclusion at that position prompted a wave of negative reactions.

Some social media users questioned the credibility of the list and used RM’s placement to criticize the wider K-pop industry.

One post that circulated online read, “That’s why no one takes K-pop seriously.”

The comment reflected the harsh tone of some reactions, as the ranking became another source of debate among fans and critics.

Annual Visual Rankings Divide Opinions

Lists celebrating the most handsome or beautiful idols regularly attract attention across K-pop fandoms, but they can also generate disagreements over how artists are ranked.

Because appearance is subjective, positions on these lists often become a source of fan discussion, particularly when popular idols receive placements that some viewers consider unexpected.

In RM’s case, his 20th-place ranking drew attention beyond the list itself, with online commentary focusing on his appearance rather than his work as a rapper, songwriter and BTS leader.

The reactions also highlighted how quickly a fan-oriented ranking can turn into a wider social media debate, with individual opinions sometimes escalating into personal mockery.

Online Reactions Put the Spotlight on RM

Although Zhang Hao claimed the top position, RM’s placement became one of the most discussed aspects of the ranking in the available reactions.

The backlash illustrates the sometimes unforgiving nature of online conversations surrounding K-pop idols, where even a subjective list can trigger intense scrutiny.

Ultimately, the ranking represents the preferences behind a particular list rather than an objective measure of any artist’s appearance or talent.

Source: Compiled from various sources