BTS RM's Influence Reaches Stanford as 'Namjooning' Enters Psychology Curriculum

BTS leader RM's influence has extended beyond music and art into higher education, with Stanford University offering a psychology seminar inspired by his approach to everyday life. Titled "Namjooning, and Other Well-Being Inspiration from BTS," the course explores mental health through art, nature and literature, combining the cultural phenomenon surrounding the K-POP star with scientific research into well-being.

The three-unit course is being offered during Stanford's Fall 2026 quarter as a first-year introductory seminar. Running from Sep. 22 to Dec. 4, it is taught by James R. Jacobs, an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences.

At the center of the seminar is "Namjooning," a term popularized among BTS fans to describe RM's appreciation for slower, more reflective activities, including visiting museums, reading, cycling and spending time in nature.

What began as a fan expression inspired by the artist's personal interests has now become the foundation for an academic discussion about how everyday habits can contribute to mental well-being.

According to Stanford's official course description, the seminar examines topics ranging from sleep, anxiety and creative blocks to self-love, exercise, nutritional supplements, psychotherapy and coaching.

Rather than simply encouraging students to adopt healthier habits, the course takes a research-based approach, examining scientific evidence behind commonly recommended wellness practices.

For example, students are encouraged to question what constitutes sufficient sleep, whether different types of rest offer the same benefits and how scientific research can help distinguish effective practices from popular assumptions.

The course also incorporates fiction, academic papers, visual art and videos, with assignments including short presentations, written reflections and quantitative analysis. Its final project draws inspiration from RM's 2022 solo album "Indigo."

The inspiration behind the seminar is closely connected to BTS's recent activities in California.

In an Oct. 2 interview with American public broadcaster KQED, Jacobs explained that the idea emerged following BTS's performance at Stanford in May and the announcement of RM's exhibition at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

The two events presented an opportunity to connect the group's cultural influence with academic discussions about wellness. Jacobs described combining activities associated with Namjooning, such as museum visits and reading, with scientific inquiry into their potential benefits.

The professor also referenced research examining how experiencing artwork in person may influence physiological indicators of stress, illustrating how the seminar approaches familiar leisure activities through an evidence-based perspective.

The course coincides with another milestone in RM's relationship with the art world.

In October, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art opened "RM x SFMOMA: Between You and Me," an exhibition co-curated by the BTS leader featuring works from his personal collection.

For years, RM has shared his museum visits, reading interests and appreciation for nature with fans, gradually inspiring an online culture centered on slowing down and finding meaning in ordinary experiences.

That influence has extended into fan-organized activities, with BTS supporters arranging museum visits, cultural outings and other experiences inspired by Namjooning.

Stanford's decision to incorporate the concept into its curriculum represents another development in that cultural exchange.

Although K-POP has frequently been examined in academic settings through music, media studies and cultural analysis, this seminar approaches an artist's influence from a different perspective.

Rather than focusing primarily on BTS's commercial achievements or the mechanics of its global fandom, the course considers how habits associated with a public figure can provide a starting point for examining mental health and personal well-being.

For RM, whose influence has increasingly reached beyond music into literature and visual art, the course demonstrates how personal interests shared with fans can develop into broader cultural conversations.

And for Stanford students, Namjooning is no longer simply a term associated with BTS fandom. It has become an academic framework for exploring what it means to live well, supported not only by inspiration but also by scientific evidence.