Hallyu: The Korean Wave exhibition showcases South Korean creativity and fashion

The V&A’s Hallyu: The Korean Wave exhibition celebrates what has become a defining force in global pop culture, permeating trends in film, music and fashion.

The exhibition is split into four sections, all of which feature objects, ephemera, posters and digital displays which take its visitors through the journey of Korea’s cultural emergence.

The first section gives a historical understanding of how South Korea rapidly evolved into the cultural powerhouse it is today after years of war and hardship.

It features artefacts from the Olympics, the world’s first MP3 player, and a 33 monitor video sculpture by artist Nam June Paik from 1986. Section two focuses on K-drama and film through multimedia installations, props and costumes.

It offsets more traditional Korean memorabilia with iconic costumes from Netflix smash-hit series Squid Game and a recreation of the Bathroom set from Bong Joon-Ho’s Oscar-winning film Parasite.

The third section dives into the vivacious world of K-Pop music with an interactive K-pop dance challenge. It highlights the pivotal role of Social media in its evolution.

This part has been created in collaboration with k-pop Style and Visual Director Gee Run, who has styled the likes of BLACKPINK and BIGBANG, and also Style Director Balko who has worked with BTS and NCT. Both artists display two ‘Idol’ looks each.

The final section brings to the fore the aesthetics of Korean Beauty and Fashion, tracing the evolution of cosmetics packaging and featuring some pieces from Korean fashion designers which have been inspired by traditional garments and patterns.

The exhibition promises to be an eye-opening and scintillating exploration into a vigorous culture wave that continues to be surfed by countries across the globe.

Visit: Hallyu! The Korean Wave – Exhibition at South Kensington · V&A (vam.ac.uk)

Pictured: Hallyu! The Korean Wave at the V&A. Picture: Victoria and Albert Museum