SAN FRANCISCO — BTS leader RM is heading to San Francisco just days before the opening of his highly anticipated exhibition at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), adding to the excitement surrounding his landmark collaboration with the museum.
RM, whose real name is Kim Namjoon, departed South Korea through Incheon International Airport on September 28 for an overseas schedule in San Francisco, according to Korean media reports.
His trip comes just days before “RM x SFMOMA: Between You and Me” opens to the public on October 3, 2026, with member previews scheduled from October 1 to 3.
SFMOMA San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
The timing of RM’s arrival has naturally heightened anticipation among ARMY and art enthusiasts as SFMOMA prepares to unveil the first museum exhibition featuring works from the BTS leader’s personal art collection.
The exhibition brings together nearly 200 works of Korean and international art, with nearly 150 pieces coming from RM’s personal collection and more than 40 works drawn from SFMOMA’s holdings.
Co-curated by RM alongside SFMOMA curators América Castillo and Hyoeun Kim, “Between You and Me” explores connections between different generations, cultures and artistic traditions while placing Korean modern and contemporary art in conversation with works from around the world.
The exhibition includes works by prominent Korean artists such as Yun Hyong-keun, Park Rehyun, Kwon Okyon, Kim Yun Shin, To Sangbong and Chang Ucchin, alongside pieces from SFMOMA’s collection by internationally recognized artists including Mark Rothko, Agnes Martin, Henri Matisse, Georgia O’Keeffe, Kim Whanki, Yves Klein, Nam June Paik and Donald Judd.
SFMOMA San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
For RM, art has long been an important part of his creative identity outside music. His frequent visits to museums, galleries and cultural spaces have also sparked interest among fans, with his passion for art becoming another way for ARMY to discover Korean artists and cultural heritage.
RM has taken a personal role in shaping the SFMOMA exhibition experience. Aside from co-curating the show, he narrated an audio guide available in English and Korean and personally curated music for visitors to listen to while exploring the exhibition.
The exhibition will also feature works from RM’s collection that have never previously been publicly exhibited in the United States.
SFMOMA San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
His departure for San Francisco now brings additional attention to the days leading up to the exhibition’s opening, although details of RM’s official schedule in the city have yet to be publicly announced.
“RM x SFMOMA: Between You and Me” will run from October 3, 2026 to February 7, 2027 on Floor 7 of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and will be the exhibition’s only presentation in the United States.
For ARMY, the exhibition offers a rare opportunity to step into another side of RM’s creative world—this time not through BTS’ music or the concert stage, but through the artworks he has personally collected and treasured over the years.
