BTS's RM Sparks Frenzy Over National Museum of Korea Souvenirs

The National Museum of Korea's souvenirs have become a hot topic, even catching the attention of BTS's RM, who couldn't get his hands on one.

On the 23rd episode of the tvN variety show 'You Quiz on the Block,' Kim Mi-kyung, the head of the product planning team at the National Museum of Korea, made an appearance. She was introduced as the driving force behind the museum's success, which ranks 6th among world museums and boasts an annual revenue of 21.3 billion won.

Kim developed the 'Bangasayusang Miniature,' a souvenir based on one of the museum's iconic artifacts, the 'Bangasayusang.' This product, which took four years to complete, sold out immediately upon release. RM even posted a photo of himself trying to purchase it, drawing more attention. However, it was later revealed that RM left the store without the color he wanted, adding to the intrigue.

Kim expressed her regret, saying, "I heard from the store manager that RM visited but left because the color he wanted wasn't available." She added, "Since his military discharge, many fans have visited, and some foreigners have bought every color. We are grateful for the positive influence."

This connection led to a collaboration between the National Museum of Korea and BTS. Kim noted, "We naturally came together out of gratitude. RM still frequently visits exhibitions and always shares photos."

Beyond the 'Bangasayusang Miniature,' the museum's various products are gaining renewed attention alongside the popularity of the Netflix original 'K-Pop Demon Hunters.' Kim explained that viewers noticed the magpie and tiger characters in the animation resemble the tiger from the museum's artifact 'Jakho-do.'

The tiger character 'Duffy' in the show has gained global popularity, leading to a sell-out of tiger badges and items believed to be inspired by it. These products were selected in last year's 'Myuz' competition. Kim stated, "Visitor numbers have increased, and pre-orders will be shipped sequentially from October 21." The museum apologized for the supply challenges, saying, "Demand has exceeded expectations, making it difficult to meet supply smoothly."