The National Museum of Korea officially appointed RM on Friday, with the partnership aimed at spreading the value of Korean cultural heritage and raising the museum's international profile.

RM of BTS will help promote the National Museum of Korea to audiences around the world.

The National Museum of Korea said Friday it had appointed BTS's RM, whose real name is Kim Nam-jun, as its global ambassador. The appointment is intended to spread awareness of Korea's cultural heritage at home and abroad and to elevate the museum's international standing. RM will take part in a range of the museum's promotional activities and help introduce Korean history and traditional culture to global audiences.

To mark the occasion, the museum presented RM with a special-edition scroll reproduction of "Daedongyeojido," a historic map of Korea held in its collection.

"It is deeply meaningful to be able to share the beauty of our cultural heritage with the world alongside BTS's RM," museum director Yu Hong-jun said. "We expect him to play a major role in establishing the National Museum of Korea as a museum beloved by people around the world."

The National Museum of Korea appointed BTS's RM, whose real name is Kim Nam-jun, as its global ambassador. From left: National Museum of Korea Director Yu Hong-jun and BTS's RM. [National Museum of Korea]
The National Museum of Korea appointed BTS's RM, whose real name is Kim Nam-jun, as its global ambassador. From left: National Museum of Korea Director Yu Hong-jun and BTS's RM. [National Museum of Korea]

RM has long shown a keen interest in Korean art and cultural properties, and has been active in efforts to preserve, repatriate and popularize cultural heritage. He has made repeated donations to the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation, directly contributing to the repatriation and conservation of Korean artifacts held abroad.

In 2021, he donated 100 million won (about $65,600) to the foundation. The funds went toward conserving and restoring a Joseon-era women's wedding robe known as "hwal-ot," held by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The restored robe went on public display at the National Palace Museum of Korea in 2023. In 2022, RM donated another 100 million won to support "It's Here: Brilliant Korean Paintings Abroad," a documentation project cataloguing masterworks of Korean painting held in major museums and galleries around the world.

RM (left) and National Museum of Korea Director Yu Hong-jun sign the global ambassador appointment certificate. [National Museum of Korea]
RM (left) and National Museum of Korea Director Yu Hong-jun sign the global ambassador appointment certificate. [National Museum of Korea]

RM has also visited national art museums, public museums, local galleries and historic palaces across the country, leaving a trail that fans have come to call the "RM tour" — exhibitions and cultural sites he has posted about on social media that have since become popular destinations for the public.

"I am very happy to be appointed as the global ambassador of the National Museum of Korea," RM said. "I will do my part to share the beauty and value of our cultural heritage with as many people as possible."

RM also joined Director Yu for a viewing of "Danwon Kim Hong-do: Painting an Era," a thematic exhibition on display through Aug. 2 in the calligraphy and painting gallery on the second floor of the permanent exhibition hall.

BTS's RM (left) and National Museum of Korea Director Yu Hong-jun view the "Danwon Kim Hong-do: Painting an Era" exhibition after Friday's appointment ceremony. [National Museum of Korea]
BTS's RM (left) and National Museum of Korea Director Yu Hong-jun view the "Danwon Kim Hong-do: Painting an Era" exhibition after Friday's appointment ceremony. [National Museum of Korea]

terry@heraldcorp.com