BTS member RM’s ongoing exhibition at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) has injected new life into the institution.
The Guardian reports that the special exhibition RM x SFMOMA: Between You and Me has sold over 66,000 tickets, with advance sales surpassing those of previous exhibitions at the museum by sixfold.
Launched on October 3, this showcase marks the public debut of RM’s art collection in a museum setting. The exhibition features approximately 180 pieces, including 142 from RM’s personal collection and 36 from SFMOMA’s holdings.
The diverse array of works includes pieces by modern and contemporary Korean artists such as Yun Hyung-keun, Park Rae-hyun, Chang Ucchin, Kwon Ok-yeon, Kim Yun-shin, and Do Sang-bong. These are displayed alongside international heavyweights like Kim Whanki, Nam June Paik, Mark Rothko, Agnes Martin, Henri Matisse, and Georgia O’Keeffe. Through various mediums including paintings, calligraphy, sculptures, and ceramics, the exhibition explores the interplay between Korean art and global contemporary art.
RM was deeply involved in the curation process, working closely with co-curators America Castillo and Kim Hyo-eun to select artworks and design the exhibition layout. He penned bilingual exhibition texts and artwork descriptions, recorded the audio guide, and even curated the exhibition’s soundtrack.
Given RM’s well-known passion for art, the exhibition has generated significant buzz. The K-pop star has previously made headlines for his museum visits and support of the art world, including a notable donation of 100 million KRW (approximately 75,000 USD) to the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Foundation in 2020.
The exhibition has drawn a massive influx of ARMY, BTS’s dedicated fanbase. According to The Guardian, SFMOMA, which faced a 5 million USD deficit last year and had to cut 7.5% of its staff, has seen a substantial financial upturn since the exhibition’s opening. Exhibition-related merchandise sold out within three hours of release.
Reflecting on the exhibition, RM shared that he believes few things reveal a person’s true self as authentically as a collection built over time. He approached this project with genuine sincerity.
This collaboration marks SFMOMA’s first partnership with a K-pop artist. The museum touts it as a comprehensive showcase of Korean modern and contemporary art, spanning from the 5th century to the present day, and one of the largest exhibitions of its kind in the U.S.
RM x SFMOMA: Between You and Me will run until February 7, 2027.