BTS leader Kim Namjoon, known professionally as RM, has opened up about his personal connection with visual art and the complexities of being a musician.
In a conversation shared on Samsung Newsroom’s YouTube channel, RM spoke about how viewing artwork brings him peace—unlike music, which often triggers feelings of competition.
“My peace comes from knowing I’m not good at drawing,” he said, recalling a visit to the Art Institute of Chicago where he found comfort in the works of Monet and Van Gogh.
He contrasted this serenity with the occasional envy he feels when listening to brilliant music by others. “Sometimes when I listen to great musicians’ albums, I get really jealous,” he admitted.
Although RM is often praised as an art curator, he described himself simply as an admirer who developed his love for art naturally. He clarified that his Instagram posts are not politically or commercially motivated: “If I like it, I share it.”
Looking ahead, he hopes to build a cultural space in Seoul that bridges generations through art.
