"Poor Manners..." BTS RM Accused of Smoking in No-Smoking Areas in Japan, Tossing Cigarette Butts on the Ground

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[Financial News] Bangtan Boys (BTS) RM, whose real name is Kim Nam-joon, 31, has been accused of repeatedly smoking in no-smoking areas and illegally discarding cigarette butts while staying in Japan.
According to the Japanese weekly Shukan Bunshun on the 22nd, RM, who was in Japan for a concert, was recently seen drinking with acquaintances in Tokyo's busy Shibuya district. He reportedly moved between several izakaya and bars, and was captured on camera smoking on the street multiple times.
In Japan, many streets are designated as no-smoking zones, and smoking rooms or designated smoking areas are set up separately.
However, the outlet reported that RM repeatedly smoked not only on the street but also in places marked as no-smoking areas, such as building corridors, and tossed cigarette butts onto the ground.
A security guard at the scene reportedly warned RM directly after witnessing the behavior.
After the report was published, local fans expressed disappointment, saying, "Poor manners," while others responded that it reflected "cultural differences for overseas artists" or was a "private matter."
HYBE, RM's agency, and RM himself have not yet issued an official statement on the matter.
Meanwhile, BTS held the Tokyo leg of its Arirang World Tour at Tokyo Dome on the 17th and 18th. It was their first tour performance there in 7 years and 5 months, since November 2018. Both shows were sold out, drawing 110,000 fans over the two days.
gaa1003@fnnews.com Ahn Ga-eul Reporter