BTS' Rap Monster changes his stage name

Rap Monster of K-pop boy group BTS has changed his stage name to RM, the group's agency said Tuesday.

The leader of the popular seven-member act announced the news in a post to a fan page Monday, according to Big Hit Entertainment.

"People started to call me 'Rap Monster,' which is part of lyrics I wrote when I was a trainee. I like the name," the 23-year-old wrote. "But I realized the name is far from the type of music I want to show you."

He also said that his new name is "a better fit for the music I pursue."

Noting it will take time for fans to get used to his new stage name, he expressed his hope they will have an open mind and welcome it.

RM, whose real name is Kim Nam-joon, is the group's main rapper and songwriter and had been using the previous name since the band debuted in 2013. (Yonhap)