As part of BTS THE CITY ARIRANG SINGAPORE, the museum is pairing 14 works from its Pop after Pop: Art around Us exhibition with songs from the group’s latest album, ARIRANG. The result is an unusual encounter between contemporary art and K-pop, inviting visitors to experience familiar music through a different cultural lens.
Running from 11 to 31 December 2026, the collaboration brings one of the world’s most influential music groups into a setting more commonly associated with artistic contemplation. It also offers an alternative way of navigating an exhibition, where music becomes a starting point for discovering visual art.
The specially curated Pop after Pop | BTS THE CITY ARIRANG Art Trail features works by artists including David Hockney and Apinan Poshyananda. Available through guided and self-guided experiences, the trail encourages visitors to consider the connections between artistic expression and contemporary music.
Rather than treating the two disciplines as separate experiences, the pairing introduces another layer of interpretation, allowing visitors to approach the artworks through the songs accompanying them.
Beyond The Exhibition
The collaboration extends into the Gallery’s historic spaces, most notably the Singapore Courtyard, which will become an after-hours dance floor on 18 and 19 December.
The BTS THE CITY ARIRANG Gallery Rave will feature BTS-inspired remix sets, lighting and projections, offering a markedly different atmosphere from the museum’s usual daytime setting. The Pop after Pop exhibition will also remain open late on both evenings.
Meanwhile, the BTS POP-UP: ARIRANG will occupy the Supreme Court Terrace from4 to 31 December,featuring official merchandise and visual displays. Participating dining establishments, including Bakery Brera, Rempapa and Milli – Sky Dining, Bar & Lounge, will introduce themed offerings, while photobooths and photo spots will be available throughout the Gallery.
Although these activities cater to BTS’s extensive fanbase, the art trail remains the more intriguing aspect of the programme. It offers visitors an opportunity to encounter established artworks through a contemporary musical reference, without requiring prior familiarity with art history.
For National Gallery Singapore, the collaboration places two seemingly different cultural experiences within the same setting. Whether visitors arrive for the art or the music, the opportunity to discover something outside their usual interests is perhaps its most interesting proposition.
Tickets for BTS THE CITY ARIRANG SINGAPORE go on sale on 17 November 2026.
