231028 Keith Takada (GQ Japan’s Director of Operations) on Instagram (behind the scenes story of the photo shoot with RM)

Trans of selected parts where he mentions RM [by Ayaka](https://twitter.com/061313purple/status/1718647576516493578?t=hnEbQPc9AWbv28d3TwKXvg&s=19)

>Yesterday was GQ’s renewal anniversary party. Hills Café in Roppongi Hills was the venue and on the wall was the visual/picture of BTS’s leader RM-san, who graced the cover of the renewal issue. Today, I will share the behind the scenes story of the shooting with RM-san.

>As for the most important thing, the shoot, it took hours but RM-san didn’t make a single displeased face and made brilliant poses even under the blazing sun which exceeded 33℃. He understood the photographer’s ideas and made various suggestions. BOTTEGA’s beautiful outfit was the heavy clothing of the fall/winter collections, so it must’ve been extremely hot and he must’ve sweat a lot under the clothes. However, he did the shooting with a cool face (as if it wasn’t boiling), so all the staffs were greatly impressed thinking “as expected from the worldwide artist BTS”.

>In the middle of the shooting, there was a moment where I instinctively opened the umbrella over RM-san’s head because the sunlight was so strong. Then he said with a smile, “I’m fine thank you” in fluent Japanese. In that one word/From his words I felt this kind of nuance, “I shouldn’t use an umbrella when none of the staffs around me are using it”. What a gentleman he is.

>RM-san did the interview after reading all of Sugimoto-san’s books thoroughly, so he asked extremely precise and in-depth questions and was able to talk with the master of the art world with the upmost respect. That was another moment where we were impressed by how well-prepared he was, although BTS must be the busiest people in the world.

>The shooting finished smoothly and at the end we shook hands and we sent him off. After all, ARMY didn’t come to Enoura Observatory (*although ARMY knew where he was because of his IG stories). But the more I think about it, the more I wonder why RM-san, who is said to have an IQ of 148, posted pictures during the shoot. Why would someone who’s clever and who thinks carefully before taking actions cause a situation where ARMY might come?

>But then I realized. RM-san must’ve been sure from the start that even if his whereabouts were identified, ARMY wouldn’t come to disturb his work/him while he’s working or his personal time. He knew that his whereabouts would be identified, but posted the pictures because he trusted ARMY. Both the invitation card (from BOTTEGA VENETA) taken from the hotel, and the posts from the location of the shoot. All that just to share the moment with ARMY. That moment (when I realized this) I got goosebumps by the trust built between the artist and the fans. It was the day when I was amazed by the trust and the deep love that exists between RM-san and ARMY.

>GOD BLESS RM and ARMY💜

> Translator note: ※Didn’t translate this part, but the GQ staffs were worried and kind of freaked out by how fast ARMY identified where he was because of the pictures he posted on IG in real time haha.

As expected, BTS.

> But then I realized. RM-san must’ve been sure from the start that even if his whereabouts were identified, ARMY wouldn’t come to disturb his work/him while he’s working or his personal time.

This whole part about trust made me oddly emotional. I’m so happy RM was proved right in this instance. And hope this point gets spread far and wide this week, so all the members can be certain of that level of trust in Army.