RM of BTS Showcases Art at SFMOMA, Attracting Fans Worldwide

RM, the leader of K-pop sensation BTS, has drawn fans to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) by exhibiting his personal art collection. The museum’s retail director, Shane Salvata, anticipates a surge in visitors. “This is hands down the most inventory that we’ve ever front-loaded for an exhibition,” Salvata remarked, emphasizing the high demand for BTS-related merchandise.

The exhibition, titled RM x SFMOMA: Between You and Me, opened to a sold-out crowd. Bay Area residents Joi Karra and Bre Walker were among the attendees. They share a strong fan interest in BTS, which initially connected them at a local event organized by Walker. Karra has a side business creating BTS-inspired accessories.

RM, whose real name is Kim Nam-joon, curated the exhibition with two SFMOMA curators. The display includes both RM’s personal collection and selected pieces from SFMOMA, such as a Mark Rothko painting. The collection primarily features works by Korean artists, reflecting RM’s interests in art and history.

At a press event before the opening, RM explained his criteria for selecting artworks for the exhibition. “There were two questions that mattered most to me,” RM said. “One was, does it move me, really? And another was, right now in 2026, does this artist and does this work still have something to tell us?”

Visitors like Walker and Karra studied various pieces trying to understand RM’s choices. Walker noted RM’s affinity for the color umber, associating it with nature. The pair found significance in several wooden waterfowl sculptures, speculating they might symbolize the seven members of BTS.

Fans also encountered contemporary artwork, like Wonwoo Lee’s Candy Valley, which left them puzzled. The gallery titled “I don’t know … but I like it” aptly captured these reactions. Despite initial confusion, many fans appreciated the unique opportunity to engage with art inspired by their idol.

The exhibition, with over 170 artworks, offered a communal experience for visitors. Sara Larios, an attendee from Zambia, highlighted the impact RM’s engagement with art has had on fans worldwide. She organized an art walk in Zambia for RM’s birthday, reflecting the cultural outreach of BTS.

For Walker, this event marked her first visit to an art museum, opening her eyes to new experiences. “I guess I always thought that you had to have some kind of knowledge when looking at art to resonate with it. But after going through it, I feel like I could get something out of museums,” she said. “I’ll be back.”