What if you could discover the real Kim Namjoon through the paintings he has collected for nearly a decade?
BTS leader RM is opening his private art collection to the public at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA).
Titled “RM x SFMOMA: Between You and Me,” the exhibition runs from October 3, 2026, to February 7, 2027.
But RM isn’t simply lending artworks to a museum. He is sharing something deeply personal.
At a September 29 media preview, RM described the exhibition as a lengthy introduction to himself.
What’s Inside RM’s Private Collection?
The exhibition features 142 artworks from RM’s collection and 36 from SFMOMA, bringing together Korean and international artists.
Visitors can discover works by Korean masters including Yun Hyong-keun and Chang Ucchin alongside artists such as Mark Rothko and Agnes Martin.
Spread across eight themed spaces, the exhibition explores memory, identity, nature, and human experience.
For many visitors, it will be their first opportunity to see artworks RM has carefully collected over the years.
RM Didn’t Just Lend His Paintings
RM participated as a co-curator alongside SFMOMA’s América Castillo and Hyoeun Kim.
He helped shape the exhibition, wrote bilingual artwork descriptions, selected music, and recorded an audio guide in Korean and English.
The result is more than a collection of beautiful objects.
It is an invitation to understand the emotions and ideas behind his choices.
Why Is RM Sharing Korean Art With America?
RM has long expressed admiration for Korean modern art.
Through this exhibition, he hopes international audiences will discover Korean artists whose names may be unfamiliar outside their home country.
His collection also creates conversations between Korean artistic traditions and works from other parts of the world.
For BTS fans, the exhibition reveals another side of their favorite musician.
For art lovers, it offers a chance to encounter Korean art through an unusually personal perspective.
How to Visit RM’s SFMOMA Exhibition
Exhibition: RM x SFMOMA: Between You and Me
Location: SFMOMA, San Francisco, Floor 7
Dates: October 3, 2026 – February 7, 2027
The exhibition requires a special timed ticket in addition to general museum admission.
The exhibition surcharge is $10 on weekdays and $12 on weekends and holidays. Visitors should check SFMOMA’s official website for current ticket availability.
More Than a BTS Exhibition
RM has shared his thoughts through music for years.
Now, he is allowing audiences to discover him through the art he lives with.
The paintings may not tell his entire story, but they offer a different way to understand the person behind the music.
And that may be the most interesting reason to visit.