RM, leader of global K-pop powerhouse BTS, has reached another career milestone as his debut solo album Indigo officially surpassed one billion streams on Spotify, becoming his first album to achieve the feat on the platform.
Released on December 2, 2022, Indigo marked RM’s first full-length solo project under Big Hit Music and was described by the artist as an “archive” of his twenties. The album serves as a deeply personal reflection on identity, art, fame, and the passage of time, blending hip-hop, R&B, alternative, jazz, electronic, and acoustic influences into a cohesive and contemplative body of work.
The album’s lead single, “Wild Flower” (featuring Youjeen of Cherry Filter), further underscored RM’s solo impact. The track debuted at No. 83 on the Billboard Hot 100 in December 2022, marking RM’s first solo entry on the chart. The achievement highlighted his ability to translate critical acclaim into commercial success outside of BTS, with the song’s poetic exploration of impermanence resonating widely with listeners.
Indigo also posted strong performances on the Billboard 200. It debuted at No. 15 on the chart dated December 17, 2022, driven by digital streams and downloads following its initial release. The album later surged to a No. 3 peak on the December 31, 2022 chart after the release of its physical CD on December 16. During its peak week, Indigo earned 83,000 equivalent album units, with 79,000 coming from physical sales, making it the highest-charting album by a Korean solo artist on the Billboard 200 at the time.
The 10-track album, which runs for just over 32 minutes, features a carefully curated list of collaborators including Erykah Badu, Anderson .Paak, Tablo, Colde, Paul Blanco, Mahalia, Kim Sa-wol, Youjeen, Park Ji-yoon, and HONNE. Rather than serving as mere star power, these collaborations were widely praised for amplifying RM’s introspective themes and artistic intent. RM co-wrote all tracks, further solidifying his reputation as a thoughtful lyricist and creative force.
Critics lauded Indigo for its vulnerability and honesty, with RM openly confronting the pressures of fame, loneliness, and self-expectation. Lines such as “I wanna be a human ’fore I do some art” encapsulated the album’s central message of reclaiming humanity amid global stardom. The project’s aesthetic and conceptual ties to visual art—particularly the influence of painter Yun Hyong-keun—added further depth to its exploration of impermanence and the evolving self.
The album received widespread critical acclaim, earning an average score of 87 on Metacritic, indicating “universal acclaim.” Publications including Rolling Stone, NME, and Billboard praised Indigo for its artistic maturity, genre fluidity, and deeply personal storytelling.
With Indigo now surpassing one billion streams, all seven BTS members have achieved the milestone, and they now becomes the FIRST and ONLY Group to have every member have an album surpass 1 Billion streams on Spotify’s history with at least one album, reinforcing the group’s rare distinction of global success both collectively and individually.
More than three years after its release, Indigo continues to resonate with listeners worldwide, standing as a defining solo statement that cements RM’s identity as not just an idol, but a reflective artist and poet unafraid to explore the complexities of life and fame.
