The era we are living in is seeing boundaries between artistic disciplines, cultural traditions, and geographic continents being radically re-examined. Few cultural figures embody this cross-pollination quite like Kim Namjoon, known globally as RM, the leader of the global pop phenomenon BTS, a solo recording artist, and one of today’s most thoughtful artists and collectors.

This autumn, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) is hosting an unprecedented milestone in contemporary art curation: RM x SFMOMA: between you and me. Just opened to the public and running through February 7, 2027, the exhibition marks the very first museum presentation of RM’s personal art collection. Crucially, SFMOMA serves as the exclusive U.S. venue for this landmark event.

Bringing together nearly 200 artworks, the exhibition is an ambitious collaborative dialogue. Curated by RM alongside SFMOMA co-curators América Castillo (Curatorial Project Manager) and Hyoeun Kim (Assistant Curator of Painting and Sculpture), Between you and me pairs key masterworks from RM’s personal holdings with iconic works from SFMOMA’s permanent collection. The result is an extraordinary cross-cultural inquiry into nature, memory, identity, and the universal threads of human existence.

For years, RM’s passion for the visual arts has been well documented. Beyond visiting galleries and art events, his private acquisitions reflect a deeply considered, highly scholarly approach to art history—one rooted in quiet contemplation, reverence for heritage, and a quest for emotional resonance.

"We live in an age defined by boundaries," RM reflected in a statement regarding the display. "This exhibition at SFMOMA reflects those boundaries: between East and West, Korea and America, the modern and the contemporary, the personal and the universal. I don't want to prescribe how these works should be seen; whether out of curiosity or study, all perspectives are welcome. My only hope is that this exhibition can be a small but sturdy bridge for many."

Christopher Bedford, the Helen and Charles Schwab Director of SFMOMA, highlighted the transformative potential of this collaboration: "RM x SFMOMA is closely aligned with our mission to expand global dialogue around art. This exhibition makes space for new voices in the museum, while also welcoming visitors who have been exposed to contemporary and Korean art through RM."

At the heart of RM x SFMOMA: between you and me is a commitment to curatorial juxtaposition. Rather than presenting RM’s private collection in isolation, the curatorial team has structured the galleries so that Korean modern and contemporary masterworks directly engage with European and American canonical figures.

RM’s personal collection offers an expansive view of Korean art history. While rich in mid-to-late 20th-century modernism, his holdings trace broader artistic trajectories in Korea stretching from the 13th century straight into the contemporary moment. On the seventh floor of the museum, these Korean masterpieces stand side-by-side with pivotal works from SFMOMA’s permanent collection, featuring modern and contemporary titans. This results in a striking visual perspective, if – for example – we think about the dialogue between Yves Klein’s Éponge (SE251) (1961)—a surprising blue sponge sculpture echoing International Klein Blue and raw natural textures—and Chang Ucchin’s simplified, earthy depictions of nature, or the minimalist restraint of Donald Judd paired with the earth-toned, spatial quietude of Yun Hyong-keun. By placing these works in proximity, the exhibition reveals how artists separated by thousands of miles and vastly different historic realities were often wrestling with identical human quests.

Recognising that art appreciation is a holistic, sensory experience, RM has personally designed several immersive elements to guide visitors through the exhibition path, such as a bilingual audio guide through which visitors can listen to an exclusive audio tour narrated directly by him, offering intimate commentary on selected works.

The walls are enriched by texts featuring original commentary written by RM, detailing his personal connection to individual pieces and his thoughts on their broader contexts. Finally, a playlist curated by him is played within the gallery spaces, providing an auditory backdrop that complements the visual themes of nature, solitude, memory, and spatial contemplation.

"While centred on modern and contemporary Korean art, RM's collection encompasses the broader trajectory of art in Korea, from the 13th century to the present," notes co-curator Hyoeun Kim. "Through this collaboration with SFMOMA, it is especially meaningful to bring the depth and richness of his collection to a wider audience."

Furthermore, co-curator América Castillo emphasized the welcoming ethos of the exhibition: "This exhibition is an invitation for visitors to trust their own perspective. These artists remind us that art was never separate from everyday life to begin with. It's found in the places we return to, the people we care about, and the questions that stay with us."

RM x SFMOMA: between you and me is organized by the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art in partnership with Bighit music, Hybe, and Hybe insight. Lead philanthropic support for the exhibition is provided by Randi and Bob Fisher, alongside major support from Samsung Electronics, The Black Dog Private Foundation, Mary Jane Elmore, the Korea Foundation, Stephanie and Mark Robinson, and other generous patrons.