‘Hallyu! The Korean Wave’ at the V&A
Looking for your Korean culture fix? Look no further than Hallyu! The Korean Wave Exhibition at the V&A, South Kensington.
Image: Amy Britton for Cherry Chu Magazine.
Global interest in Korean pop culture has been on the rise over the past decade and is now almost impossible to escape in our daily lives. From K-Pop to Korean technology, South Korea has always had an influence over culture, whether explicitly or not. Starting in the 1990s through Korean cinema and drama, the Hallyu Wave tracks how South Korean culture has developed into the global phenomenon we see today.
The V&A Hallyu! The Korean Wave exhibition takes visitors on a journey from the twentieth century to present day, highlighting the different facets of South Korean culture.
Upon entering the exhibition, visitors are transported back to 2012 courtesy of PSY’s “Gangnam Style”. The flashing videos matched with the iconic track prepares you for the rich cultural experience you’re about to witness.
Image: Amy Britton for Cherry Chu Magazine.
Visitors are given a short history lesson about the political and economic environment that helped to lay the foundations of the Hallyu Wave — including the Korean War, the Asian Financial Crisis, and how the tiger became an official symbol of South Korea.
The first touchscreen phone — the LG Prada — and the social media app, Cyworld, were both created in South Korea, another example of the country’s importance to modern-day culture.
K-Dramas and K-Cinema are portrayed as the beginning of the Hallyu Wave. Visitors are taken through the numerous types of K-Dramas that are available, such as webtoon adaptations, slice-of-life shows, and period dramas.
The popularity of K-Dramas soared during the COVID-19 pandemic as people searched for some escapism. Of course, the global sensation ‘Squid Game’ got a mention in this section as well.
Image: Amy Britton for Cherry Chu Magazine.
Whilst K-Cinema may be less prominent than its TV counterpart, Korean movies have been making history in recent years. From the more recent releases of ‘Minari’ and ‘Decision To Leave’ to classics like ‘Oldboy’, Korean films are an essential part of Korean culture.
A brief introduction to the creation of K-Pop is followed by spotlighting those who have been able to make the genre what it is today; the fans. From fan–made banners to viral TikTok challenges, the exhibition shows visitors that K-Pop fans are undeniably the driving force behind their favourite groups and their companies. Rather than perpetuating the stereotype that K-Pop fans are crazed teens, displays showcase fans’ involvement in the Black Lives Matter movement and their support for global charities.
Image: Amy Britton for Cherry Chu Magazine.
The most exciting section of the exhibition was the bright and immersive showroom. Displaying outfits worn by Aespa, ATEEZ, and KARD, it’s a feast for the eyes. Fans of NCT 127, SuperM, and Blackpink will be pleased that their favourite groups have been highlighted in the museum — I personally could have spent hours in this room dancing along to my favourite tracks.
If you’ve ever fancied trying your luck at being a K-idol, the video booth allows you to do just that. Here you can learn the choreography for PSY and SUGA’s “That That”, and showcase your talents to the rest of the exhibition’s audience!
The final section of the exhibition is dedicated to K-Beauty and fashion. Natural beauty is at the centre of South Korean make–up and skincare brands, as explored in our Mixsoon article.
By promoting natural ingredients and 10-step-long skincare routines, Korean beauty has taken the world by storm and has led to a focus on enhancing one’s assets rather than covering them up. With endorsements from celebrities such as CL and EXO, K-Beauty’s popularity has been boosted by loyal fans.
In terms of K-Fashion, visitors are given a brief history of traditional Korean clothing, hanbok. Displays include different versions of modified hanboks, such as modernised hanbok worn by BTS’ RM and Blackpink’s Jennie. Whilst the modernisation of hanbok has been quite controversial, designer Lee Younghee has been at the forefront of reforming the traditional clothing to suit different occasions.
Image: Amy Britton for Cherry Chu Magazine.
The V&A Hallyu! The Korean Wave Exhibition is entertaining and educational for both Korean culture fans and non–fans alike. Whether your interest lies in K-Pop, K-Beauty, or you just want to learn more about another country’s culture, this exhibition acts as the perfect introduction to a culture that is rich with history that has bled into modernity. BTS and ‘Parasite’ (2020) are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of South Korean culture and this exhibition helps visitors to dive straight into the heart of the country.
The V&A Hallyu! The Korean Wave Exhibition is running until 25th June 2023. Tickets are available for purchase here.
Thank you to the V&A museum for allowing us to view your exhibition for free.
Edited by Chelsea Cheetham.
