BTS RM to Showcase His Personal Art Collection at San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
BTS leader RM is set to present his personal art collection at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), marking the K-pop star’s first major museum collaboration in the United States.
The special exhibition, titled “RM x SFMOMA: Between You and Me,” will open on October 3, 2026, and run through February 7, 2027, at SFMOMA in San Francisco.
The exhibition features approximately 180 works selected by RM and SFMOMA, including around 140 pieces from RM’s personal collection. Many of the pieces from RM’s collection will be publicly displayed for the first time.
RM has been directly involved in the exhibition’s planning and curation, working alongside SFMOMA co-curators América Castillo and Hyoeun Kim to select the works and develop the overall concept.
The exhibition brings together a wide range of Korean modern and contemporary art, featuring works by renowned Korean artists including Yun Hyong-keun, Park Rae-hyun, Chang Uc-chin, Kwon Ok-yeon, Kim Yoon-shin and Do Sang-bong.
It will also feature works from SFMOMA’s collection by internationally recognized artists such as Kim Whanki, Nam June Paik, Mark Rothko, Agnes Martin, Henri Matisse and Georgia O’Keeffe.
Spanning ceramics, calligraphy, painting and sculpture, the exhibition explores the development of Korean art from the sixth century to the present day.
Visitors will also be able to experience exhibition texts and artwork descriptions written by RM himself in both Korean and English. A bilingual audio guide recorded by RM will also be available, while the music played throughout the exhibition was personally selected by the BTS member.
“This is the first time I am sharing a collection under my own name,” RM said. “I believe there are few things that reveal a person as honestly as a collection they have built over a long period of time. In that sense, this exhibition feels like a rather long introduction of myself.”
RM also explained that his collection contains numerous works by Korean modern and contemporary artists who may still be unfamiliar to audiences outside Korea.
“I have collected these works hoping to offer a better perspective and a greater sense of appreciation for these artists,” he said.
According to BigHit Music, SFMOMA approached RM after taking note of his longstanding interest in contemporary art and his distinctive collecting taste.
Christopher Bedford, director of SFMOMA, said the project aligns with the museum’s efforts to expand global conversations surrounding art while creating space for new voices.
Through RM’s involvement, the museum also hopes to introduce more visitors to contemporary and Korean art.
The exhibition comes shortly after another major contribution from RM. On September 29, he donated 100 million won (approximately $70,000) to the National Museum of Korea through the National Museum of Korea Association. The donation will be used to support the museum’s efforts to acquire and receive donated cultural artifacts.
RM is also the first global ambassador in the history of the National Museum of Korea, further highlighting his continued connection to Korean art and cultural heritage.
With “RM x SFMOMA: Between You and Me,” the BTS leader is bringing his personal passion for art to an international museum audience while offering visitors a closer look at the works and artists that have influenced his own artistic world.