BTS' RM Debuts as Curator at SFMOMA Exhibition

BTS member RM, born Kim Namjoon, has made his curatorial debut with the exhibition 'Between You and Me' at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA). The exhibition, which opened recently and is scheduled to run until February 7, 2027, showcases nearly 200 works of Korean modern and contemporary art. This marks the first time RM's personal art collection has been presented in a museum setting. He co-curated the show over the past two years with SFMOMA's América Castillo and Hyoeun Kim, aiming to highlight Korean artists with significant contributions but lesser international recognition.

The exhibition features 145 works from RM's private collection, complemented by 45 pieces from SFMOMA's own holdings. The collection spans various mediums, including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, photography, and calligraphy. These artworks are organized into eight thematic sections: Blue Water, Friendscape, Home, Photo Buddha, People, Passion, Umber, and 'I don’t know, but I like it.' The selection includes pieces that are making their debut in the United States, ranging from a centuries-old vase to an early animation cell of the character Pikachu. RM has consistently expressed his admiration for post-war Korean art and the resilience of artists who continued their work through periods of colonial rule, rapid redevelopment, and political instability.

RM's personal collection includes works by prominent Korean artists such as Kim Whan-ki, Chang Ucchin, Kim Yun Shin, Kwon Jinkyu, Kwon Okyon, Park Rehyun, and To Sangbong. A notable highlight of the exhibition is RM's extensive collection of over a dozen paintings by Yun Hyong-keun, a pioneering figure in the Dansaekhwa movement, a style of Korean monochrome painting. One of Yun Hyong-keun's works is displayed alongside a prized piece identified only as 'No.' The exhibition aims to foster a deeper appreciation for Korean modernism on an international stage, leveraging RM's global influence as a member of the K-pop group BTS, which has achieved worldwide success in music. The collaboration between RM and SFMOMA represents a significant intersection of popular culture and fine art, bringing a new audience to the appreciation of Korean artistic heritage. The museum's engagement with RM underscores a growing trend of cultural figures contributing to curatorial projects, bridging the gap between contemporary artists and a broader public.