BTS leader RM is making headlines after funding a brand-new catalog that gathers Korean paintings scattered across overseas museums and galleries—spotlighting the beauty and depth of traditional art in one place.
The Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation announced on the 11th that it has published a catalog titled 'Korean Old Paintings Shining Abroad,' compiling Korean paintings housed in major museums and art institutions around the world.
Produced with donations from RM (Kim Namjoon) of BTS, the catalog aims to reexamine the elegance and richness of Korean traditional painting. It features 24 carefully selected works created from the early 16th century to the 20th century, spanning landscape paintings, portraits, and bird-and-flower/animal paintings.
Each piece is presented with high-resolution images and in-depth commentary, making the volume suitable for academic research as well as exhibition and educational use. The finished catalog will be distributed to national and public libraries and leading research institutions in Korea and abroad.
RM reportedly donated 100 million KRW (approximately $75,000) to the foundation in both 2021 and 2022, expressing hope that the funds would support the preservation, restoration, and utilization of cultural heritage located outside Korea.
Meanwhile, BTS—featuring RM—will make a comeback at 1 p.m. on the 20th with their fifth full-length album 'Arirang' (ARIRANG).