Epik High’s Tablo and BTS’s RM release a deeply personal song, Stop The Rain, sparking heartbreak among fans with its honest and emotional lyrics.
Song Release and Initial Reaction
Tablo and RM dropped their collaborative single, Stop The Rain, on May 2, 2025, at 1 p.m. KST. The song, accompanied by an animated music video, instantly connected with listeners. Fans shared their emotions online, praising the track’s raw honesty.
The music video opens with a minimalist guitar riff and visuals of a boy diving into rain, setting a somber tone. The animated style, featuring symbolic imagery like a falling angel and an umbrella, complements the song’s heavy themes.
“#StopTheRain is a masterpiece 🙁 the lyrics are raw and painful, i’m just at a loss of words. joon and tablo talked about heavy topics but their voices and the beat/instrumental are so comforting ❤️🩹”
@rkiveflwer on X
Lyrics and Themes
Stop The Rain explores mental anguish, trauma, and the longing for peace. The lyrics reflect personal struggles, with Tablo and RM sharing experiences of abuse and emotional pain. The song uses rain as a metaphor for ongoing distress.
Tablo raps about his childhood, revealing:
“Raised by shame/Raised by the rod/Bloody calves sacrificed in the name of God/They claimed it was love/Felt like heartbreak to me.”
RM adds his perspective, with lines like:
“Sometimes I wished I got crushed in the womb. Turned to dust in the womb.”
Fans noted how the lyrics intertwine, creating a dialogue rather than a competition of pain.
“I like how the song isn’t just one person struggling with their pain but two people who weave in and out – you don’t have a clear Tablo section and Namjoon section but they’re in a dialogue with each other.”
The chorus, where both artists’ voices blend, feels universal, offering a shared sense of healing.
Background and Creation
Tablo and RM began working on Stop The Rain nearly three years ago, recording it just before RM’s military enlistment in 2023. The song’s deeply personal nature led Tablo to delay its release.
“When we were making the song, we were so into it that we didn’t realise how personal the lyrics had become.”
Tablo in an interview
Tablo worried about exposing RM’s vulnerabilities, especially during his military service.
“If it were just my journal, I would’ve had no problem revealing it. But RM’s journal is a different story.”
Tablo to Rolling Stone
RM later encouraged the release, contacting Tablo to ask, “Hyung, where’s the song?” His approval gave Tablo the confidence to share the track.
Previous Collaboration and Connection
This is the second collaboration between Tablo and RM, following their work on All Day from RM’s 2022 solo album, Indigo. Their mutual respect is clear, with Tablo praising RM’s artistry.
Both artists share a thematic connection to rain, seen in Tablo’s Epik High songs like Umbrella and RM’s solo track Forever Rain. This common thread inspired Stop The Rain.
“We wanted to have elements in there that connect the both of our music worlds. We landed on the theme of rain.”
Tablo in a video
Fan and Netizen Reactions
Fans expressed heartbreak and admiration for the song’s vulnerability. Many felt a personal connection to the lyrics, describing the track as both painful and healing.
“Wow! I’m in awe of this song! 😭 it hits hard for sure and us deeply emotional, but in a relatable way. In a cathartic way. In a healing way.”
@GreyArchiveBTS7 on X
Others appreciated the trust between Tablo and RM, noting their ability to share such personal stories.
“Oh this is going to hit hard yet I can tell it will also be uplifting like you said it would be. Very personal, deep lyrics yet also relatable.”
Fan comment on X
Some fans found comfort in the song’s emotional depth.
“Sometimes I wished I got crushed in the womb. Turned to dust in the womb” “I know what it feels like” no cause just tablos whole part also i have literally tears in my eyes like yes i know what it feels like… oh joon oh tablo..”
Netizen comment
Production and Music Video
The song’s production is minimalist, with a stark guitar riff and soft vocals creating a reflective mood. Tablo and RM’s voices blend seamlessly, enhancing the track’s emotional weight.
The animated music video adds a visual layer to the song’s themes. Imagery like a falling angel and a woman with an umbrella reflects the artists’ struggles and hopes.
“The video features a boy diving into the rain, reminiscent of Icarus, enhancing the story’s visual appeal.”
Delay on Apple Music
The release faced a minor hiccup with a one-hour delay on Apple Music, frustrating some fans.
“We get this everytime there is a BTS drop.”
Fan comment on X
The delay was quickly resolved, and the song became available across all major platforms.
Artist Insights
Tablo described Stop The Rain as a diary-like project, reflecting both artists’ personal journeys.
“It feels like looking at pages out of our journal.”
Tablo to Pinkvilla
He emphasized the song’s authenticity, noting that it was held back due to its intimate nature. RM’s decision to release it showed his trust in Tablo and their shared vision.
“Stop The Rain feels like the kind of song that had to be done with someone younger than me but who’s soaring high, like #RM. I mean, I’ve been there. I think it makes sense.”
Tablo in an interview
Current Updates
Stop The Rain is now available on all major music platforms, with the music video streaming on YouTube. Tablo has hinted at a potential live performance with RM after his military discharge in June 2025. Fans are eagerly awaiting more updates on this collaboration.
The single album is set for physical release on May 7, 2025, with pre-orders already available.
CREDITS: EPIK HIGH
