“건망증 (Forg_tful)” became a kick-off of Indigo’s whole creative process. The Korean title “건망증” refers to the state of forgetfulness or absent-mindedness, where one does not remember things seen or heard at all, remembers them sparsely, or does not remember things before a certain period of time.

In the English title “Forgetful”, stylized to “Forg_tful”, RM used strategic spelling to better reflect the charming connection between the words “건망증” and “forgetful” :

I couldn’t find the same texture as it has in [the] Korean title, the closest one is forgetful. But you know, it’s like (…) not so fun and not [so] charming. (…) It’s a sense of humor, like I just missed the E because (… ) I’m so forgetful.

—RM via The ZachSang Show

Written in April 2019, with the collaboration of John Eun (은희영) (with whom RM played at the NPR Music tiny desk concert), “건망증 (Forg_tful)” was recorded right away in RM’s small studio with the use of a simple guitar loop.

If listened carefully, one can hear delicate, organic sounds of denim jeans highlighting the unplugged ambience of the studio, as well as RM’S
knocking at the table to create the percussion part of the song.

While RM wrote all of the lyrics, including Kim Sawol’s (김사월) part, initially he was too shy to approach her about the collaboration.

(…) three years ago I was like so shy, so I asked John (…) “Please just bring
it to Kim [Sawol]”. You are the one who arranged this track. (…)can [I] put it on you?

—RM via The ZachSang Show

Even though Kim Sawol considered re-recording her part, since she sang it 3 years prior to Indigo’s original release, RM and Kim Sawol decided that it was the best take, authentically capturing the diary-like nature of Indigo:

I just leave it behind. It was the moment and when you capture that, (…) there’s no
other take that will ever be better than [that] moment. I want to leave it in my 26.

—RM via The ZachSang Show