In a landmark achievement for the preservation and promotion of Korean art, the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation officially released a comprehensive catalog titled “IT’S ____ HERE: Brilliant Korean Paintings from Abroad” on March 11, 2026.
This ambitious project, which documents significant Korean artworks scattered across the globe, was made possible through the generous patronage of RM, the leader of the global phenomenon BTS.
The publication marks the culmination of a multi-year effort to make “Old Korean Paintings Abroad” accessible to both scholars and the general public, fulfilling RM’s long-standing wish to share the “beauty of Korean painting with the world.”
A Legacy of Patronage: From Restoration to Publication
The journey toward this publication began in 2021 and 2022, when RM made consecutive donations of 100 million won ($72,000) each to the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation.
While his initial contribution was famously utilized for the delicate restoration of a Joseon-era hwarot (royal bridal robe) housed at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), his second major donation was specifically earmarked for the “conservation, restoration, and utilization” of paintings located in international collections.
The foundation highlighted that RM’s support was not merely financial but was driven by a deep, personal respect for Korean heritage.
Kwak Chang-yong, the secretary general of the foundation, emphasized the significance of this contribution during the catalog’s launch:
“The publication is made even more notable by the generous support of RM, whose deep interest in and great respect for Korean culture adds greater meaning to the occasion.As suggested by the brochure’s title, these paintings are more than cultural relics; they are a cultural bridge between Korea and the world.”
RM’s involvement has been described by cultural experts as “catalytic,” moving beyond symbolic gestures to fund the technical, often invisible work of conservation and academic documentation.
His influence has successfully bridged the gap between popular culture and institutional heritage, inspiring a global audience- many of whom are part of the BTS fandom, ONCE- to engage with Korean history for the first time.
400 Years of Brilliance: Inside the New Art Catalog
The newly published catalog is designed as a high-quality art book, featuring 24 major Korean paintings currently held in prestigious institutions across the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Japan.
Covering a span of roughly 400 years- from the early 16th century to the 20th century- the collection offers a vivid showcase of Korean artistic evolution.
The catalog includes a diverse range of genres and formats, such as:
- Landscape and Documentary Paintings: Featuring works like the 19th-century “Welcoming Banquet of the Governor of Pyeongan” (Peabody Essex Museum), which depicts the grandeur of Joseon-era festivities.
- Scholarly Mindscapes: Including the rare 1584 “Snowscape with Figures” by Kim Si (Cleveland Museum of Art), a piece that reflects the inner world of a scholar in retreat.
- High-Resolution Documentation: Every piece is accompanied by high-resolution images and scholarly commentary, making it an invaluable resource for academic research and education.
By bringing these “scattered” works together in a single volume, the project sheds new light on the artistic value of heritage that is physically difficult for many Koreans to visit.
As RM himself noted regarding his broader philosophy on art:
“I hope this can serve as a small but sturdy bridge for many.
There is no fixed way to view art, but I wish it could help make the artistic and cultural value of these works more accessible.”
The catalog is currently being distributed to public libraries and major research institutions both in Korea and abroad.
This milestone further solidifies RM’s status not just as a musician, but as a “cultural ambassador” whose personal passion continues to safeguard Korean identity on the global stage.
