London’s Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) has released more details on its upcoming Hallyu! The Korean Wave” was announced, which will open in September. It is the first exhibition of its kind celebrating South Korea’s colorful and dynamic popular culture.
“Hallyu! Running from September 24, 2022 to June 25, 2023, The Korean Wave will explore South Korean culture through film, theater, music and fandoms, and showcase its cultural influence on the beauty and fashion industries.
The exhibition will invite visitors to engage with the Hallyu (Korean wave) phenomenon, which gained notoriety in Asia in the late 1990s before becoming a global pop culture trend.
More than 200 objects, including some loans never before seen in the UK, will be on display across four themed areas, ‘From Rubble to Smartphones’, ‘Setting the Scene’, ‘Global Groove’ and ‘Inside Out’, among others K-pop costumes, k-drama props and posters, as well as photography, sculpture, fashion, video and pop culture ephemera and digital ads.
The exhibition opens with a well-known example of the Hallyu, Psy’s 2012 viral hit single Gangnam Style, which features his iconic pink suit jacket. The song and its quirky dance moves were an overnight sensation, and the hugely successful video was an early example of the international appeal of the “Hallyu” that grew into a global phenomenon.
V&A Exhibition “Hallyu! The Korean Wave opens on September 24th
Other exhibit highlights include an immersive recreation of Parasite’s bathroom set, a range of iconic costumes and props from K-drama, film and music, including from the hit Netflix series Squid Game, and outfits worn by different generations worn by K-pop idols, from Psy to Aespa and Attez.
The exhibition also features 20 high-fashion looks by Tchai Kim, Miss Sohee, Münn and Minju Kim, as well as an exhibition dedicated to contemporary Korean fashion designers creating colorful eye-catching garments, including a coat by Kim Seo Ryong, like he was seen on BTS’ Jin in their 2019 Summer Package.
The fashion section also features a look created especially for the V&A by acclaimed stylist Suh Younghee, as well as a K-pop hanbok by C-Zann E, a pink jacket by Danha and a purple cheolli dress by Tchai Kim, which differs from inspired by traditional garments and patterns.
Also on display are artworks by Nam June Paik, Ham Kyungah and Gwon Osang, as well as early examples of advertising and branding, including an original Seoul Olympics poster and the first Korean branded cosmetics from the 1910s.
Rosalie Kim, curator of Hallyu! The Korean Wave said in a statement, “South Korea has captivated the entire world with its vibrant and creative Hallyu popular culture, which has transformed the country’s image from a country devastated by the Korean War to a leading cultural powerhouse in the social media era and digital culture.”
“This phenomenon has been amplified by a tech-savvy and socially conscious global fanbase, further raising the Hallyu’s profile and relevance worldwide. We look forward to presenting its energy and dynamism in the first exhibition of its kind at the V&A this fall.”
This article originally appeared on FashionUnited.uk. Translated and edited by Simone Preuss.