BTS’ RM quietly donates 100 million won, setting standard as museum’s first global ambassador

An art lover’s commitment and a steadfast patron of the nation’s cultural heritage

RM, leader of the group ‘BTS’ and whose real name is Kim Nam-joon, is continuing his substantial efforts to preserve Korea’s traditional culture. The National Museum of Korea said on the 30th that RM quietly donated 100 million won the previous day to the National Museum of Korea Association, the museum’s support organization. The entire fund will be used to purchase or acquire through donations key works needed by the museum.

In June, RM became the first ‘global ambassador’ in the history of the ‘National Museum of Korea’. “It is an honor to be able to help promote our culture as an ambassador for the National Museum of Korea,” he said. “I will continue working with the museum on meaningful efforts to share Korea’s beauty with people around the world.”

His commitment to cultural heritage is not a one-time gesture. In 2021 and 2022, RM donated 100 million won each year to the ‘Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation’, an organization under the Cultural Heritage Administration, helping lead efforts to preserve and restore cultural heritage held abroad. The donations produced a landmark result: the publication of ‘IT’S__HERE: Brilliant Korean Paintings of the Past Beyond Korea’, a catalog bringing together 24 Korean paintings scattered among major museums and galleries overseas.

It is unusual for an artist at the peak of popular culture to use his considerable influence to shed new light on the value of fine art and traditional cultural heritage. RM’s efforts, which go beyond those of a visitor to directly raise funds and support restoration, are being hailed as an exemplary case of ‘positive influence.’