SFMOMA has attracted unusually large crowds since the opening of RM x SFMOMA: Between You and Me, a survey of more than 100 pieces drawn from the private collection of K‑pop star RM, also known as Kim Namjoon. Museum officials and visitors say the high-profile exhibition has generated intense public interest and boosted attendance at the institution, which had been struggling in recent years.
Origins of the show
The exhibition was first proposed to RM two years ago, while he was serving in the South Korean military, when SFMOMA curator América Castillo reached out with the idea of mounting a show of works he had collected. RM told reporters at a media preview that he embraced the invitation. "I loved it," he said, and added that few things reveal a person as honestly as the art they have gathered over time.
A collaborative curation
Titled RM x SFMOMA: Between You and Me, the exhibition is co‑curated by Castillo and Hyoeun Kim and opened earlier this month. It brings together works spanning RM’s collecting interests and presents them in the museum’s galleries, offering visitors a view into the tastes and priorities of one of popular music’s most visible figures.
Impact and public response
Museum staff and visitors say the show has translated into a tangible lift for SFMOMA. Fans of RM and BTS have traveled to San Francisco to see the display, contributing to a surge in attendance and attention for the institution. For SFMOMA, the exhibition represents a high‑profile moment that underscores how celebrity‑led initiatives can shape public engagement with contemporary art.
Broader significance
RM, the leader of global K‑pop phenomenon BTS, has in recent years been noted for his wide‑ranging cultural interests and for using his platform to highlight artists and works he admires. The SFMOMA show is one of the most prominent exhibitions built around a contemporary pop figure’s personal collection, and museum officials say it provides a distinctive way to connect new audiences with their galleries.
The exhibition remains on view at SFMOMA, where curators hope it will sustain interest in the museum’s programs and collections beyond the initial surge of visitors.