BTS RM Exhibits 140 Collection Pieces, Calling It "A Long Introduction to Myself"

▲ RM (real name Kim Nam-joon) of the group BTS speaks about his feelings on holding an exhibition of his art collection at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) on the 29th (local time).

RM (real name Kim Nam-joon), the leader of the group BTS, has transformed into a co-curator at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) in the United States.

Ahead of the special exhibition "RM x SFMOMA: Between You and Me," which begins next month, RM attended a press preview event held at SFMOMA on the 29th (local time) and remarked, "I am nervous to make my debut as a co-curator."

He explained that when he first started visiting museums and encountering art eight years ago, he never dreamed such a day would come, adding that the project began when he received an offer from the museum two years ago while serving in the military.

Recalling the time, he joked, "Since I was serving in the military at the time, I would have accepted any offer coming from San Francisco," and added, "I thought it would be a great experience before opening the (exhibition) space I had always dreamed of."

Regarding what led him to start collecting art, he confessed, "Whether I am in the United States or in Seoul, I always feel like I am drifting and floating somewhere. I think I came to rely a lot on art because of those emotions."

He added, "Art and music are different mediums, but they are the same in that they aim to say something."

However, he also confessed that he has loved collecting things since childhood, but sometimes feels a sense of guilt about it.

RM shared his thoughts, asking, "Is it okay for me to own so many things that I don't need? Have I perhaps just become a boring person with a lot of money?" He continued, "Maybe so, but I wanted to show my collection in the hope that other people could see these works as well."

Regarding the nature of this exhibition, he said, "We talked a lot about the personal and the universal, East and West, modern and contemporary, but right before the exhibition, I started to wonder, 'Do all those things really matter that much?' Perhaps it is enough if it is simply a good, new, and interesting exhibition."

He mentioned that because he is not a professional in the art field and has not received formal training, writing the artwork descriptions for the exhibition was the most difficult part, but he also expressed confidence, saying, "Sometimes an outsider's perspective can breathe fresh air into any field."

In connection with this, exhibition co-curator América Castilla chimed in, saying, "Sometimes the ability to look at things differently from an outsider's perspective becomes the greatest strength a person can have."

Regarding the exhibition, RM also explained, "Over the past century, Korea has experienced colonial rule, war, and extremely rapid development, causing many things to vanish while brilliant things were created at the same time. As a young person from Korea, I wanted to add a fresher, younger, and perhaps better perspective and sensibility, and that process led to this exhibition."

At the same time, he self-assessed the exhibition by saying, "Ultimately, this exhibition is a long introduction to myself."

Co-curator Kim Hyo-eun, who attended the preview event, introduced it by saying, "This exhibition does not stem from a typical art-historical theme, but rather from an artistic perspective that an individual has formed over a long period."

SFMOMA Director Christopher Bedford smiled and said, "This is the largest-scale Korean art exhibition in the 91 to 92-year history of our museum, as well as RM's first curation challenge. We are very proud of the ticket sales for this exhibition."

It was reported that preview tickets for museum members have sold out, and weekend tickets are also selling at a fast pace.

The exhibition, featuring a total of 178 works including 142 pieces from RM's personal collection and 36 pieces from the museum's own collection, will run from October 3 to February 7 next year.

When asked why he decided to exhibit works in San Francisco, RM playfully answered, "That is not even a question, because San Francisco is one of the coolest cities in the world."

In front of the museum where the media preview was held on this day, members of the BTS fan club ARMY from all around the world gathered to wait for RM and cheer on the journalists visiting the exhibition venue.

(Photo: Yonhap News)

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