140 Pieces from BTS RM’s Collection to Be Showcased at US Special Exhibition: "A Rather Lengthy Self-Introduction"

SFMOMA's First Collaboration with a K-pop Artist

BTS RM. Provided by Big Hit Music

Big Hit Music announced on September 30 that a special exhibition, "RM x SFMOMA: Between You and Me," featuring approximately 140 pieces from BTS member RM's personal collection, will be held at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) in the United States starting on October 3.

The exhibition will run until February 7, 2027. This marks the first time that RM's personal collection is being showcased in a museum, and it is also the first time SFMOMA has collaborated on an exhibition with a K-pop artist since its founding.

RM commented, "This is the first time I am sharing my collection under my own name," adding, "I believe nothing shows a person more honestly than a collection built over a long period of time. In that sense, I think this exhibition will serve as quite an extensive self-introduction."

He also explained why he has been collecting works of modern and contemporary Korean art. RM said, "My collection contains many works by modern and contemporary Korean artists. Some of these names may still be unfamiliar outside Korea, but I have collected them in hopes of offering a broader perspective and sensibility, and that process has led to this exhibition."

Around 180 works selected by RM and SFMOMA will be shown at the exhibition. Of these, approximately 140 pieces collected by RM will be presented for the first time in the United States. The exhibition includes works by Yun Hyongkeun, Park Rehyun, Chang Ucchin, Kwon Okyeon, Kim Yoonsin, and Do Sangbong, among others.

The exhibition will also feature pieces from SFMOMA’s own collection, including works by Kim Whanki and Nam June Paik, as well as Mark Rothko, Agnes Martin, Henri Matisse, and Georgia O’Keeffe. Korean art from the 6th century to the present will also be introduced through ceramics, calligraphy, paintings, and sculptures.

RM participated in artwork selection and exhibition composition alongside SFMOMA’s curators, America Castillo and Hyoeun Kim. He personally wrote the exhibition texts and artwork descriptions in Korean and English and provided his voice for audio guides in both languages. He also handpicked the music to be played in the exhibition space.

The exhibition brings together works from different eras and cultural backgrounds to address themes such as nature, memory, and human existence. SFMOMA described it as one of the broadest-ranging exhibitions of Korean modern and contemporary art ever held in the United States.

Christopher Bedford, Director of SFMOMA, stated, "This project closely aligns with SFMOMA’s direction to expand global dialogue around art. While creating space for new voices in the museum, we invite visitors who have encountered contemporary and Korean art through RM to experience it here."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.