At 31, Behind the Wheel for the First Time: Why BTS RM's Driving Video That 'Even His Mom Thought Was AI' Made ARMYs Worldwide Laugh
On February 18, 2026, BTS leader RM (Kim Namjoon) shared his very first driving video on social media. The only member who had long been without a driver's license finally got behind the wheel at 31 — and even his own mother asked if it was AI-generated footage, making ARMYs around the world react with laughter and delight.
One-line hook: The moment BTS's leader RM — the last member to get a driver's license — finally gripped the wheel, ARMYs worldwide and his own mother all cried out: "Wait, is this real?"
TL;DR
- On February 18, 2026, RM (Kim Namjoon) posted his very first driving clip on Instagram
- The only one of BTS's seven members who had been without a license — finally got it at age 31
- His visibly tense, two-handed grip on the wheel went viral; RM himself joked, "It's kind of funny, isn't it?"
- His mother texted him asking, "Is this AI-generated?" — triggering a second wave of viral spread
- Major global outlets including Korea Times, Chosun Biz, and News18 covered the story
The Facts: What Happened
On February 18, 2026, BTS leader RM (real name Kim Namjoon, age 31) posted a short driving clip to his Instagram with the caption "Let's laugh and ride." In the video, RM grips the steering wheel tightly with both hands, navigating the road with a noticeably stiff expression.
The reason this moment was so significant is simple: among all seven BTS members, RM was the only one who had long gone without a driver's license. Even within the group, "Namjoon being the only one without a license" was a running joke, and it had been a meme in the fan community for years.
After news broke earlier in 2026 that RM had finally obtained his license, fans had been waiting — and this video was his first public proof behind the wheel.
How It Spread: Why It Went So Viral
1. "Is This AI?" — His Mother's Reaction Sparked a Second Wave
As the video spread, it emerged that RM's mother had texted him asking: "Is this real? Did AI make this?" The response was explosive. A son who had publicly stated for years that he had no plans to own or drive a car suddenly posting a driving video — it was so out of character that even his own mother suspected it was a deepfake or AI-generated clip.
RM addressed this directly, joking "I think it's funny too," and the anecdote spread through global K-POP media as a second viral moment.
2. A Long-Running Fandom Meme Finally Resolved
Within the ARMY community, the fact that "RM doesn't have a license" had been an internal meme for years. This video represented the moment that meme was finally "resolved" in real life — triggering an emotional catharsis for fans who felt a beloved running gag had come full circle.
3. Synergy with BTS's Comeback Season
With BTS preparing to release their fifth studio album ARIRANG (with a comeback concert at Gwanghwamun on March 21), every personal update from a member was drawing extra attention. RM's driving video landed at exactly the right moment in this "eve of comeback" atmosphere.
Context & Background
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date posted | February 18, 2026 (Instagram) |
| Age when licensed | 31 |
| Role in BTS | Leader, main rapper |
| Why no license before | Stated in multiple past interviews that he had no plans to own a car |
| Mother's reaction | "Looks like AI made it" — texted him to verify it was real |
| RM's reaction | "I think it's funny too" — engaged fans with self-deprecating humor |
RM is known within BTS for his intellectual image and artistic sensibility, and had previously denied any desire to own or drive a car. The fact that he got a license at 31 and actually got behind the wheel was, in itself, news.
Outlook: How Long Will This Story Last?
- Short-term (~March): High demand for RM-related content ahead of the BTS comeback. Any follow-up (e.g., a "new driver" sticker on the car, revealing the car model) could reignite the story.
- Mid-term: "RM driving" could become a new category of fan content and memes.
- Long-term risk: As a straightforward celebrity moment, staying power is limited. Estimated lifespan: one news cycle — likely already past peak.
Checklist: Key Points to Understand This Story
Reference Links
- Korea Times: BTS' RM surprises fans with first driving video after license
- Chosun Biz: BTS RM shares nervous driving video, mother mistakes footage for AI
- News18: BTS Leader RM Shares First Video Of Him Driving, But His Mom Thinks It's AI
- Financial Express: BTS RM's 1st car video after overcoming trauma with driver's license
Image Credit
Header image: Seoul road traffic (Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain). Direct use of RM's personal or official BTS imagery is not possible due to copyright and portrait rights held by Big Hit Music/HYBE; a replacement image has been used.