From K-Pop artists selling out concerts to Korean movies winning multiple awards and International award shows to Korean dramas and entertainment shows produced by streaming giants such as Netflix, Apple TV and Disney+. Korean culture has come a long way from its small beginnings boosting the economy and status of a previously small war-torn country in the shadows of its more outspoken and controversial Northern neighbours, followed up by one of the world’s biggest financial crises riddling the Korean economy to number 13 on the World GDP ranking with top ranking companies across the engineering and Media sectors.
The V&A museum has always been home to various sections showcasing Korean and Asian history. Situated 45 minutes away from London’s ‘Korean Community.’ The museum is the perfect home for some of Korea’s most successful media artefacts.
Entering the exhibit museum-goers are treated to a history lesson on the meaning and start of the Hallyu wave, with screens displaying one of the most infamous Korean songs, ‘Gangnam Style’ by PSY, alongside a display of his music video outfit and the song blasting through the speakers. Before entering a room full of Korean history and culture, with sections of the country’s history and greatest achievements such as technological advancements and products to posters of the Seoul Olympics, this part of the exhibit uses the chance to talk about the speedy growth of South Korean culture over the past three-quarters of a century, even using screens to display music videos of old Korean media from over the past decades.C
The exhibit explores Korea’s film and TV industry, displaying some of the country’s most famous K-dramas. It ranges from Squid game costumes to official books and posters used during and to promote the dramas, making it great for anyone who is into K-dramas or is looking for a new drama to watch with summaries of the K-dramas for those to watch and is topped with a recreation of a semi-basement Banjiha house made famous by Oscar-winning film ‘Parasite.’
It’s impossible to talk about Hallyu and not talk about K-pop. Making it no surprise the biggest section of the exhibition focuses on the genre. Whether it’s the wall full of K-pop’s most iconic light sticks ranging from 1st to 4th generation groups. A dedicated first-generation K-pop wall from a screen featuring H.O.T’s music video ‘Candy’ is often considered the first official idol boy group and one of the K-pop most legendary songs. It also contains one of their plastic fan club jackets, famously featured in the series Reply 1997.
Or the more modern K-pop section, showcasing the more modern pieces, including some of London’s most iconic K-pop concert memorabilia, such as the BTS Wembley fan banner and fan-made ATEEZ lesbian flag for their London tour date.
Finishing off its demonstration of Korean Culture, customers are treated to a showcase of Korean fashion and skin care, two industries that have been at the forefront of Korean culture with a range of traditional Korean and popular culture outfits used in both K-dramas and music videos, the section is topped with a wide range of different products from Korea’s most loved skincare brands.
Overall, the Hallyu Wave is a must for all K-pop fans or those wanting to get into Korean culture. The artefacts are some that have and may never be seen elsewhere for the public to see and are definitely worth a visit.
Article by Hillz Reporter, Ethan Horton
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