In this episode of The Sleepover, we explore the heavy burden that weighs on pure artists in a world obsessed with numbers, charts, and instant gratification.

With BTS leader RM recently opening up in a raw and emotional livestream, we take a closer look at the crushing expectations he faces not just as a global pop icon, but as a creative spirit trying to preserve the purity of his artistry while carrying the commercial hopes of a billion-dollar company on his back. He’s not just making music; he’s making shareholder value, fandom fulfillment, national pride, all at once. And even with millions of fans worldwide, he still questions whether his voice can cut through the noise of metrics, bots, and algorithmic judgment.

This conversation isn’t just about RM. It’s about every artist who creates from the soul and wakes up to a world that demands results in streams, likes, views, and rankings. When art becomes a commodity, where does that leave the creator? At what point does the pressure to succeed start to crush the very thing that made the work powerful in the first place?

Let’s talk about the illusion of perfection, the toll of expectation, and why separating creativity from commodity might be the only way forward for artists who want to last not just in this industry, but in their own hearts.