[Uncharted Koreatown] Kim Whanki and RM—A Dialogue Across Time
- karasanfrancisco
- Mar 2
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 6
Did you know that RM, the leader of BTS, is shaping the future of Korean art? His deep passion for visual arts has turned his personal collection and museum visits into global cultural moments. The New York Times even described him as a "Boy Band Superstar, Embracing a New Role: Art Patron." His Instagram (@rkive) serves as a gallery in itself, filled with posts about artists, exhibitions, and works that captivate his imagination.
Among the many artists he reveres, one stands out: Kim Whanki (1913–1974). In an interview, RM named Kim as one of his "style heroes," admiring the way he brought his artistic vision to life. RM’s connection to Kim’s work goes beyond admiration—he even recorded an audio guide for LACMA’s The Space Between: The Modern in Korean Art, introducing audiences to Kim and other influential Korean artists [Link]. Kim Whanki is not only loved by RM but by Korean art enthusiasts worldwide. In 2024, his paintings set a historic record—every single one of the top 10 highest-priced Korean artworks ever sold at auction was his.
Kim Whanki: The Pioneer of Korean Abstraction
Kim Whanki masterfully blended Korean aesthetics with Western abstraction, creating mesmerizing compositions of dots, lines, and color fields. His works reflect the deep blues of the Korean landscape, the rhythm of nature, and a sense of infinite space. His art’s universal appeal lies in its quiet, meditative energy, where countless dots evoke cosmic vastness and emotional depth.
Kim Whanki in San Francisco
You don’t need to travel to Seoul or New York to experience Kim Whanki’s genius—San Francisco has its own connection to his work. SF MOMA houses one of his masterpieces, 26-I-70 (1970), inviting visitors to lose themselves in the mesmerizing repetition of his brushstrokes [Link]. His legacy continues to inspire artists, musicians, and viewers alike, bridging past and present through an unspoken visual language—right here in San Francisco.
Beyond K-Pop: The Rise of K-Art
Art inspires art. A legendary painter moves a living musician, who in turn captivates audiences around the world. K-pop has already reshaped global culture—but what about K-Art? What emotions and ideas will Kim Whanki’s deep blues and infinite dots spark in the minds of San Francisco’s art lovers? As K-Art gains momentum, the next wave of the Korean cultural movement might not be in sound, but in color, texture, and form.
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