BTS’ RM (Rap Monster) has made it clear he loves art and wants to take this passion further.
The leader of the popular South Korean boy band revealed in the latest episode of Intersections: The Art Basel Podcast (Intersections) that he plans to set up an exhibition featuring his private art collection.
"When people come to Korea - it happens for the Koreans too - we cannot see the great Korean artists because there are not many museums right now, there are not many galleries right now. So I want to make my own sometime,” the rapper told podcast host Marc Spiegler.
He hinted about having a cafe on the first floor, and to set up his (art) collection on the second and third floor.
"So, people could always see the collections when they just want to see them," he added.
RM, 27, whose real name is Kim Namjoon, was the first guest for Intersections’ second season, an Art Basel initiative.
The acclaimed podcast features prominent artists, architects, gallerists, designers, musicians and collectors discussing their passion for art.
The Seoul-born RM shared in Intersections that it was his first visit to the Chicago Art Institute back in 2018 that sparked his interest in art. He has since made it a habit to visit the museums and cultural institutions in any city where BTS performed.
“I wondered why can't I name any one Korean artist in this visual art world. I can name thousands of Korean musicians. After I came to Korea, I started to visit lots of museums in Korea ... I started to research is there any Korean artist I can respect or can get inspired as an older brother, as a father for this art world,” said RM.
RM’s love for art is not something new. He "curates" his Instagram page (which has more than 35 million followers) with artworks and museums and galleries he has visited. He is happy to have inspired his fans to be curious about art.
The first artwork the singer purchased was a 1976 painting by the well-known South Korean artist Lee Dae-won, which featured a small mountain. This started RM’s artwork collecting journey, which he says can sometimes be very spiritual.
RM also talked about his beginnings in BTS, being an adult and leaving behind a legacy in the Intersections podcast.
BTS recently shocked the world when it announced that the group will take a break to focus on the members' solo careers.
Listen to the podcast here.
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