K-pop Star RM's Art Show Boosts SFMOMA

K-pop superstar RM, a member of BTS, has made a significant impact on the SFMOMA through his private art exhibition. Titled "RM x SFMOMA: Between You and Me," the show displays 142 works from RM's personal collection, primarily Korean art, alongside 36 pieces from the museum's holdings. This exhibition has proven to be a major success, drawing over 66,000 tickets sold and significantly boosting advance sales, which were six times higher than any previous event at the museum.

The exhibition is co-curated by SFMOMA's América Castillo and Hyoeun Kim. RM's involvement extends beyond lending his collection; he has contributed an audio guide and playlist, and his personal reflections accompany the artworks, offering a unique curatorial approach. This initiative comes at a crucial time for SFMOMA, which had recently experienced layoffs due to a $5 million deficit.

Recent years have seen a trend of musicians showcasing their art collections, with exhibitions by Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys at the Brooklyn Museum, and shows featuring art by Jack White and Paul McCartney. However, the dedication of BTS fans, known as Army, appears to be a unique driving force behind the SFMOMA show's exceptional performance, with merchandise selling out rapidly and fans traveling internationally to attend.