or the very first time a major exhibition on Korean culture has been held in the UK. And there’s not long to wait: Hallyu! The Korean Wave opens on the Q&A in Sept.
From props and costumes from some of the country’s most popular shows and films, to posters and fashion looks, to sculptures and photography, the exhibition will showcase the massive explosion of Korean culture that is now taking the world by storm.
There will be approximately 200 objects for visitors to enjoy, drawn from the decades in which South Korea has turned into a cultural powerhouse.
Photo Jihoon Jung, Courtesy of Darcygom
† Saekdong of Darcygom. Photo Jihoon Jung, courtesy of Darcygom.Hallyu is a term that literally means Korean wave. It is usually used to refer to the boom in Korean culture seen worldwide today – be it music, TV shows, movies, skin care, or even food.
The best-known examples in British popular culture are the Oscar-winning film ParasiteNetflix’s squid gameboy band BTS and the song Gangnam Style by singer Psy, although Korea’s cultural influence has been slowly increasing since the late 1990s.
The exhibition is divided into four parts. The first is From Rubble to Smartphones, where the public will follow the war-torn country through history as it pursues rapid industrialization in the 1960s and 1970s, hosts the Summer Olympics in Seoul, navigates the 1997 Asian financial crisis, and become a digital global leader.
Joseon 18th-19th century © Seoul National University.jpg
† Beauty that adorns itself, attributed to Kim Hong-Do.The second, Setting the Scene, is all about K-dramas. Using posters, storyboards, multimedia, installations and props, the exhibition will explore recurring themes and Korean stories. The public can enjoy costumes from squid game and Kingdom, props from The Handmaiden, plus a recreation of it coming Bong Joon-HoParasites bathroom.
Global Groove is the third installment, and as you might imagine, it’s all about music, especially K-Pop. The corridor leading to the gallery will be lined with fan light sticks, after which the exhibition will follow the music genre from its early days – featuring album covers and posters by Seo Taiji and Boys and BoA.
After that, it’s all about K-Pop idols, with a ten-foot sculpture of G-Dragon by Gwon Osang and outfits worn by stars on various stages – including the iridescent looks Aespa wore in their music video Next Level.
The fourth and final part will be called Inside Out and will focus on K-beauty and fashion. The exhibition will follow the design evolution of packaging, and will feature 20 outfits by fashion designers from both Korea and the Korean diaspora. There will also be a specially designed look from stylist Suh Younghee. Clothing by C-ZANN E, Danha, Tchai Kim, Kim Seo Ryong, Minju Kim, Münn and Miss Sohee will also be on display.
Rosalie Kim, curator of the exhibition, said: “South Korea has captivated the whole world with hallyu, its vibrant and creative popular culture, which has transformed the country’s image from one devastated by the Korean War to that of a leading cultural powerhouse in today’s social media and digital culture era.
“This phenomenon has been bolstered by tech-savvy and socially conscious global fanbases, further raising hallyu’s profile and relevance around the world, and we’re excited to bring his energy and dynamism to the V&A this fall in the inaugural exhibition of its kind.”
hello! The Korean Wave opens in Q&A on September 24. Tickets cost £20 and are on sale here†