BTS leader RM is drawing thousands of visitors to a major art exhibition in San Francisco, demonstrating how the global K-pop star’s influence extends well beyond music.
The exhibition, titled RM x SFMOMA: Between You and Me, opened on October 3, 2026, at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA). It features works from RM’s personal art collection alongside pieces held by the museum, with a particular focus on Korean modern and contemporary art.
According to The Guardian, more than 66,000 tickets had been sold by October 24. Advance ticket sales were six times higher than those for any previous exhibition at the museum, while exhibition merchandise reportedly sold out within hours of becoming available.
The figures highlight the unusual combination of celebrity, art collecting and cultural promotion behind the exhibition.
Inside RM’s Personal Art Collection
RM, whose real name is Kim Namjoon, has spoken publicly about his interest in art for years. His collection focuses heavily on Korean artists, particularly modern and contemporary painters and sculptors.
The San Francisco exhibition brings together 142 works from RM’s collection and 36 works selected from SFMOMA’s holdings. The pieces span different periods, artistic traditions and cultural backgrounds.
Visitors can see paintings, sculptures, calligraphy and other works that reflect RM’s personal interests. The exhibition places Korean artists in conversation with international figures, inviting visitors to explore connections between cultures and generations.
Among the artists represented are influential Korean modern artists such as Yun Hyong-keun and Lee Ungno, alongside international artists whose work offers different perspectives on color, form, identity and everyday life.
The exhibition is not simply a display of celebrity-owned artwork. RM worked with SFMOMA curators América Castillo and Hyoeun Kim to shape the presentation and help explain the relationships between the works.
Why RM Wanted to Share Korean Art
RM has previously described visiting museums as a way to discover artists and understand different cultures while traveling for music.
His interest also led him to consider how little he initially knew about the history of Korean art. Over time, collecting became a way to learn more about his cultural background and introduce other people to artists he admired.
For the exhibition, RM contributed written reflections and helped create interpretive material for visitors. He also recorded an audio guide in Korean and English, offering personal observations about selected works.
Rather than presenting the collection as a formal art-history lesson, the exhibition reflects RM’s own experience of discovering and connecting with art.
That personal approach may also make the exhibition more accessible to visitors who do not regularly attend art museums.
A New Audience for the Museum
The scale of interest has brought attention to the role celebrities can play in attracting new audiences to cultural institutions.
BTS has one of the world’s largest international fan communities, and some fans traveled considerable distances to see RM’s exhibition. The Guardian reported that visitors came from overseas, while merchandise associated with the show sold out within hours.
For SFMOMA, the event offers an opportunity to reach visitors who might not otherwise have considered a contemporary art museum.
However, the exhibition’s success also raises a broader question: can celebrity-led exhibitions create lasting interest in art, or is much of the demand driven by fans’ connection to the celebrity?
The answer may become clearer as the exhibition continues and the museum observes how visitors engage with the works themselves.
This Is Not a BTS Exhibition
Although RM’s international fame is central to the exhibition’s appeal, the show focuses on his personal collection and artistic interests rather than BTS memorabilia or the group’s musical career.
The exhibition offers visitors a different view of RM: not only as a performer, but also as a collector who has spent years exploring Korean and international art.
For fans, it provides an opportunity to understand another side of the artist. For other visitors, it offers a chance to discover Korean art through a collection shaped by a prominent figure in contemporary popular culture.
How Long Will the Exhibition Run?
RM x SFMOMA: Between You and Me is scheduled to remain on view through February 7, 2027, at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
Visitors need a separate timed ticket for the special exhibition in addition to general museum admission. SFMOMA lists an additional charge of US$10 on weekdays and US$12 on weekends and holidays, with free access to the exhibition for eligible members and Encore Pass holders.
The exhibition’s strong advance sales have already made it one of the museum’s most talked-about recent presentations. Its longer-term impact will depend on whether the interest generated by RM’s collection also encourages visitors to explore the artists and works featured in the show.
For now, the exhibition demonstrates how a global music star can introduce a much wider audience to Korean art—and bring an unexpected new audience into a museum.
Source: The Guardian — https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2026/oct/24/rm-bts-sfmoma-exhibition
Additional Sources: San Francisco Museum of Modern Art — https://www.sfmoma.org/exhibition/rm-x-sfmoma/ ; San Francisco Chronicle — https://www.sfchronicle.com/entertainment/arts-exhibits/article/rm-sfmoma-collection-guide-22444448.php
Category: Entertainment
Published: October 28, 2026