Hallyu! The Korean Wave
Hallyu! The Korean Wave showcased the colourful and dynamic popular culture of South Korea, exploring the makings of the Korean Wave and its global impact on the creative industries of cinema, drama, music, fandom, beauty and fashion.
This exhibition is now closed at V&A South Kensington

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Republic of Korea develops and implements a wide range of policies to promote culture, arts, sports, tourism and religion so as to provide cultural opportunities both to Korea and the world.
Exhibition highlights
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Gangnam view of Hyundai apartment blocks. Photo Jun Min Cho, courtesy Museum of Contemporary History of Korea -
Samsung Electronics' TV production line, 1970s. Courtesy of the Samsung Innovation Museum -
Poster featuring 'Hodori' the official emblem of the Seoul 1988 Olympics designed by Kim Hyun. Museum no. E.358-2006. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London -
What you see is the unseen / Chandeliers for Five Cities, by Kyungah Ham. Photo: Chunho An. © Kyungah Ham. Courtesy of the artist and Kukje Gallery -
A Netflix Original Series. Squid Game Artwork © 2021 Netflix. All Rights Reserved -
Aespa 'Next Level' MV, 2021. © SM Entertainment -
Painted sculpture, "Untitled G-Dragon, A Space of No Name", by Gwon Osang. © Courtesy Gwon Osang -
YG Family flashmob in Trafalgar Square, 2011. Photo Philip Gowman -
Beauty Adorning Herself, attributed to Kim Hong-Do, Joseon 18th – 19th century. © Seoul National University -
Saekdong by Darcygom. Photo Jihoon Jung, courtesy Darcygom -
The Peony dress, by Miss Sohee, 2020 graduation collection, 'The Girl in Full Bloom'. Photograph by Daniel Sachon -
Ji Won Choi x Adidas. Photo Francesca Allen, courtesy Adidas -
Moon Jar Dress, Blue, by Minju Kim, Seoul, 2021. © Minju Kim, Photo Sangmi An, Model Leehyun Kim -
Parasite poster. Image courtesy Curzon Film -
PSY performs Gangnam Style, on TODAY, 2012, New York, USA. Courtesy of Jason Decrow, Invision, AP, Shutterstock
Past events
Features

Hallyu! The Korean Wave: About the exhibition

The hallyu origin story
Discover the story behind Korea's epic rise from war ravaged country to leading cultural powerhouse

A brief history of webtoons
Discover the history of webtoons in our specially commissioned webtoon

Hanbok – traditional Korean dress
Discover its enduring story

Contemporary hanbok design: Cheollik Dress and Shamanism Collection by Tchai Kim
"'Tchai' means 'difference'. We are all different so we need to find ways to accept that and coexist".

Design and make yourself into a K-Pop idol
Transform yourself into a K-Pop idol!

Contemporary hanbok design: Male hanbok suit by Guiroe
"For me hanbok is love. That's because hanbok made me obsessed, as if I were in love".

A brief history of K-cinema
Take a journey through the history of Korean cinema

K-pop fandom
Supporters, translators, content creators, fundraisers, archivists and activists
Hallyu! The Korean Wave



