RM Becomes Curator at US Art Museum: "Music and Art Are Ultimately the Same Art"

Special Exhibition at San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Reveals His Curatorial Journey at Local Media Preview
Showcases 140 Pieces from Personal Collection, Personally Curates Exhibition Music
"Proposed During Military Service... Works Tha

On the 29th of last month (local time), at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, RM of BTS gave a greeting at the media preview for the exhibition of Korean artworks from his collection. Photo by AP Yonhap News

At the special exhibition at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) in the United States, where he is unveiling pieces from his personal collection, RM of BTS remarked, "I've never formally studied art history, nor am I a curator, but perhaps because I am not from the art world, I feel a bit freer." When selecting works, he said his criteria were, “Does it truly move me?” and “Does this artist and their work still have something to say to us in 2026?”

On the 29th of last month (local time), during the media preview of "RM x SFMOMA: Between You and Me" at SFMOMA, RM talked about his experience participating as a co-curator and shared his thoughts on collecting art.

The exhibition began when SFMOMA proposed the project to RM two years ago while he was serving his mandatory military service. RM shared, "I thought it could be a good experience before I open the kind of space I’ve always dreamed of," and added, "I felt it would be interesting to try something at an institution with scale and reputation." He continued, "I started with a very pure heart, but I never imagined that because of that sincerity, I would end up writing, erasing, and rewriting hundreds of artwork descriptions."

RM began visiting museums and appreciating art about eight years ago. He said that whether he was in the United States or back home in South Korea, he often felt "as if he was drifting or floating somewhere." He added, "Perhaps it was these emotions that made me rely so much on art." He continued, "Art and music may differ in language and medium, but ultimately they are the same kind of art. Both are trying to say something."

RM explained that he loved collecting things from childhood, but sometimes felt guilt through collecting. He said, "I asked myself, 'Do I really have to carry all these things around, things I don’t even need?'" He added, "I thought it would be good if others could also see these things. That’s why I wanted to share my collection with people."

This exhibition features about 180 pieces selected by RM and SFMOMA. Among them, approximately 140 are from RM’s personal collection. The selection also includes works by South Korean modern and contemporary artists such as Yun Hyongkeun, Park Rehyun, Chang Ucchin, Kwon Okyeon, Kim Yunshin, and Do Sangbong.

At the media preview of the exhibition of Korean artworks collected by BTS's RM, held at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) in the United States on the 29th of last month (local time), reporters are seen appreciating RM's collection. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

On the 29th of last month (local time), at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) in the United States, reporters are appreciating Korean art pieces collected by BTS member RM during the media preview of the exhibition. Photo by AP Yonhap News

RM noted, "A significant part of my collection consists of works by Korean modern and contemporary artists, many of whom likely remain unfamiliar outside of Korea." He added, "It’s rare that anything reveals a person as honestly as a collection built over a long time at the expense of one’s money, life, effort, or even the walls of their own home." He described this exhibition as "quite a lengthy self-introduction."

One area of the exhibition is named "I Don't Know, But I Like It." RM explained, "Even I sometimes don’t know why I’ve collected all these things," adding, "That’s my honest feeling."

RM noted that, "Over the past century, Korea has gone through colonial rule, war, and an unbelievably rapid development. In the process, many things disappeared, but at the same time, astonishing and brilliant things were created." He continued, "As a member of the younger generation in Korea, I have been collecting works in hopes of adding a newer, younger, and perhaps ever-so-slightly better perspective and sensibility." He concluded, "Ultimately, that’s what led to this exhibition."

On the 29th of last month (local time), RM of BTS is giving a greeting at the media preview of the exhibition of Korean artworks from his collection held at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Photo by AP News.

On the 29th of last month (local time), at the media preview of the BTS RM's private collection of Korean artworks exhibition held at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, RM is giving a greeting. Photo by AP News.

RM participated in the exhibition design alongside SFMOMA co-curators America Castillo and Hyoeun Kim, contributing to everything from selecting and arranging the works to mounting and framing. He personally wrote the exhibition texts and artwork descriptions in both Korean and English, and recorded the audio guides in both languages as well. He even chose the music played in the exhibition hall himself.

RM said, "This exhibition, at its core, is a collaboration between me and SFMOMA," adding, "I couldn’t realize everything I dreamed of." He continued, "I think that is the beauty of collaboration."

The exhibition opens on October 3 (local time) and runs through February 7, 2027. This is the first time SFMOMA has hosted an exhibition in collaboration with a K-pop artist since its establishment. RM shared his hopes for visitors, saying, “I hope people will just enjoy and feel for themselves how fun and delightful it is to go see an exhibition.”

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