At first glance, it may seem like BTS’ RM and ZEROBASEONE’s Seok Matthew share little in common. RM is an established superstar, while Matthew, despite his group selling over a million albums in one week with their debut, is still a rookie. However, a closer look reveals a shared love for the animated classic, Howl’s Moving Castle.
@autumn._rr I LET OUT THE UGLIEST SOB I LOVE THIS MOVIE #namjoon #kimnamjoon #namjoonie #namjoonpiano #namjoonbts #howlsmovingcastle #studioghibli #bts #btsrm #RM #btsarmy #fyp #fypシ
Howl’s Moving Castle, a 2004 Japanese animated fantasy film directed by Hayao Miyazaki, has always held a special place in the hearts of Studio Ghibli fans. The film, loosely based on Diana Wynne Jones’s 1986 novel, revolves around Sophie, a young milliner cursed into elderly form, who encounters a wizard named Howl and becomes entangled in his resistance against fighting for the king. The film earned an Academy Award nomination and continues to be celebrated across generations for its stunning visuals and thematic exploration.
RM, renowned for his multifaceted talents, treated fans to piano renditions of the theme from Howl’s Moving Castle. Witnessing him perform the song “Merry Go Round of Life” was a treat for fans of Studio Ghibli, BTS, or both. He initially played the theme in its original format, showcasing his exceptional skills, and later treated fans to a speed-up version, playfully captioning it with “It’s the TikTok era, so speed up.”
What ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’ means to Matthew
Meanwhile, Matthew has openly expressed how the song from Howl’s Moving Castle has impacted him. “Every time I listen to it, I feel strangely at ease. I close my eyes and listen carefully as I imagine. At times the sea, other times the sky, and at times green mountains. When I found things hard, I calmed down my mind a lot like that. It’s music that was like a friend who protects me,” the ZEROBASEONE member shared in a previous interview.
@smtmine oh my god matthew is such a ghibli fan #seokmatthew #석매튜 #matthew #ソクマシュー #メテュ #fyp #kpop #zerobaseone #ZB1 #howlsmovingcastle
He also sports a Howl’s Moving Castle-inspired tattoo on his right bicep and occasionally wears a ring inspired by the film. During an online fansign, he once recited a line of dialogue from the movie, much to the delight of the fan on the call with him.
The shared admiration for Howl’s Moving Castle between BTS’ RM and ZEROBASEONE’s Seok Matthew highlights the universal appeal of the animated classic and brings fans of different generations together. – K-Pop News Writer
Featured Image: Knowing they both love this movie makes them even cooler in our book. Sources: X/@_BTSMoments_ and @0528_files.
