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As BTS ARMY for over eight years, I never imagined I’d one day be in the same room as Namjoon (RM) and be only a few feet from him, let alone at an event celebrating his art collection. But last week, that’s exactly where I found myself, and I’m still processing it. And I got to share it with my husband, Ethen, who was my date for what I can honestly say was the best date ever.
The RM x SFMoMA preview night was one of those evenings that feels almost too good to be true. We were lucky enough to see his collection early, before it opened to the public, and the whole experience felt like a gift. The exhibition spans over 150 years of Korean art history, and as a Korean-American, seeing Korean art celebrated on a stage like this was so special to me. It meant a lot to see that history presented with such care, and to be standing there in it.
Getting ready for a night like this was half the fun. With press and media expected at the event, looking my best and being camera-ready was a priority. I knew immediately what I wanted to wear: my modern hanbok, which I picked up in Korea during my last visit. It has traditional purple silk cuffs, and I loved how it honored my heritage while still feeling fresh and modern. I matched my nails to the cuffs in a coordinating purple, and of course, purple is the color of BTS ARMY, so the whole look felt like it was meant to be. It was a small way of paying tribute to the culture and the fandom at once.
For makeup, I went glam. I created a stronger eye look with false lashes, using all CCC products, because I wanted something bold that would hold up through an emotional evening and still photograph beautifully under all those cameras. To complete the look, Scott Smith did my hair and gave it a fresh cut with more layers, adding volume and smoothness. It was soft, full, and moved beautifully with the Korean hanbok. Feeling that put together made it easier to just relax and soak in the night. Now I know how my clients feel when I get them ready for a special event!
We arrived at SFMoMA through the side entrance next to the St. Regis, the very hotel where RM was staying, and the energy hit us before we even reached the door. A huge crowd of ARMY had gathered on the street hoping to catch a glimpse of him. There had to be over a hundred of them, holding BTS and RM signs, wearing their Arirang tour T-shirts, and screaming with excitement. Standing there, I felt like I had been transported straight back to a BTS concert. It was such a thrill to experience that fandom energy up close, and it set the tone for the whole night.
Now, let me tell you about the moment that is both my favorite and my most painful memory of the evening. Once we made it inside the museum, Ethen and I joined a group of people waiting for the elevators to head up to the event. The doors opened right in front of me, and out walked RM with his bodyguards, just inches away. And what was I doing? Looking the opposite direction. Meanwhile, Ethen was whispering in my ear, “RM is right there!” By the time his words registered and I turned back, all I caught was the side and back of RM’s head as he walked away. UGH! I was so mad at myself. We still laugh about it, because it’s the kind of thing that could only happen to me, lol!
Luckily, the night had a way of making it up to me. When we got upstairs, my heart was racing the second I saw the lobby. A podium had been set up right in the middle of the space, and I knew exactly what that meant. I was so excited I could hardly stand still. Around us, the atmosphere was elegant and buzzing. Guests mingled with glasses of wine in their hands while Korean appetizers made their way around the room, a delicious and fitting nod to the artist of the evening. I also ran into clients and friends from the industry, and catching up with familiar faces made the night feel even warmer.
Then came the moment that redeemed everything. I managed to score a spot right in the front, directly in front of the podium, just a few feet from RM when he began to speak. Honestly, it all felt like a blur. It was so surreal that I could barely process it while it was happening. After eight years of listening to BTS and his music and following his journey, there he was, talking about the art he loves, and this time I was facing the right direction, lol! Front row, a few feet away, easily made up for the elevator fumble.
All too soon, RM finished speaking and was whisked away by his bodyguards. He had a flight to catch to South America, where he’d be rejoining the BTS world tour, so there was no time to linger. Just like that, he was gone, but the night was far from over. Ethen and I headed up to explore the exhibit, and wandering through his wonderful collection of Korean art was the perfect way to end the evening.
I left that night feeling inspired, grateful, and still smiling. It was a perfect blend of art, culture, community, and fandom. If you’re in the Bay Area, I highly recommend seeing the exhibition for yourself. And if you’re a fellow ARMY, I promise it’s worth the visit.
Love,
Christina
Have you seen RM’s exhibit yet, or are you planning to go? Tell me in the comments!
