BTS Presents Korean Government Gift to Met Museum as Special Presidential Envoys

On Monday, BTS members, alongside Culture Minister Hwang Hee and First Lady Kim Jung-sook, presented a gift from the South Korean government to New York's Metropolitan Museum. Recently designated as 'special presidential envoy for future generations and culture,' the K-pop group aims to promote Korean culture worldwide. Their visit to the Met followed their appearance at the 76th UN General Assembly with President Moon Jae-in, where they delivered a widely-shared speech and performed 'Permission to Dance.' The gift, created by artist Chung Haecho and titled Rhythm of the Five Color Luster (2013), features five lacquerware vessels inspired by East Asian cosmology. This piece will be showcased in the exhibition Shell and Resin: Korean Mother-of-Pearl and Lacquer from 13 December to 5 July 2022. At a rooftop garden reception, BTS leader Kim Nam-Joon (RM) emphasized the global interest in Korean culture and the need to spotlight emerging Korean artists. Max Hollein, the museum's director, expressed appreciation for the timely donation as the museum approaches the 25th anniversary of its Arts of Korea gallery. Through initiatives like Connect, BTS in January 2020, and participation in Hans Ulrich Obrist's online exhibition do it (around the world) last August, BTS has increasingly acted as cultural ambassadors.