BTS' RM Donates 100 Million Won to National Museum of Korea to Help Acquire Artifacts: "I Will Continue to Promote Our Culture"

RM, the leader of the group BTS, has once again spread positive influence by donating 100 million won to support the acquisition of pieces for the National Museum of Korea's permanent collection.

On September 30, the National Museum of Korea announced that BTS' RM, who was appointed as the museum's global public relations ambassador in June, donated 100 million won to the Friends of the National Museum of Korea, requesting that the funds be used toward acquiring cultural assets for the museum.

The donation was completed on September 29 through the Friends of the National Museum of Korea, an incorporated patron association of the museum. RM's contribution will be used for future projects by the association to acquire valuable cultural relics and donate them to the museum. In the past, the Friends of the National Museum of Korea purchased and donated notable Joseon Dynasty pieces to the museum, including a mother-of-pearl lacquerware box with a lotus scroll design and cursive script calligraphy ("Choseo") by the early Joseon master calligrapher Hwang Gi-ro.

RM shared his thoughts on the contribution, stating, "I am glad to be able to support the museum as a global public relations ambassador for the National Museum of Korea. I will continue to take part in promoting the museum and our culture moving forward."

The National Museum of Korea expressed hope that RM's continued patronage of culture and the arts will serve as an opportunity to raise public interest in Korean cultural heritage, pledging to reciprocate his support through even better exhibitions and initiatives.

RM has consistently demonstrated his commitment to cultural patronage, having previously donated 100 million won each in 2021 and 2022 to the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation to support the preservation, restoration, and utilization of Korean cultural assets located overseas.

His activities as an influential art collector are also stepping into the spotlight. A special exhibition titled "RM X SFMOMA: Between You and Me," which showcases works from RM's personal art collection, is set to open on October 3 (local time) at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) in the United States.

[Photo=National Museum of Korea] 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)