Special Exhibition: “The Pop Culture We Loved and Rise of the Korean Wave” Opened on July 19 (Wed)

In celebration of the 70th anniversary of the ROK–US Alliance, the performance costume of late HYUN Mi from the Eighth United States Army Band on display

The National Museum of Korean Contemporary History (Director HAN Soo) presents “The Pop Culture We Loved and Rise of the Korean Wave” a special exhibition tracing the history of Korean Wave (Hallyu) within global pop culture. The exhibition runs from July 19 (Wed) to September 3 (Sun) in the special exhibition hall on the third floor.

This exhibition aims to showcase that the current popularity of K-Culture is a testament to Korea’s acceptance and adaptive approach to various global cultures, reminding audiences that, just as Hallyu thrives internationally today, various global pop cultures have also enjoyed popularity in Korea. It hopes to foster an appreciation of the diverse cultures enjoyed by different generations and establish a space for cross-generational understanding of K-Culture fandom.

■ Part 1: “America in Korean Pop Culture”

The exhibition explores the cultural exchange with America, an ally for 70 years that has significantly impacted the foundation of Korean pop culture since the liberation. Various genres of music, including pop, Hollywood films, and dramas, have profoundly influenced Korean pop culture. In particular, records were imported through the American military bases, and many Korean musicians could perform.

Rare exhibits include the record of OK Doo Ok (real name KIM Moon), who was the first to debut in the US in 1956, and an autographed album of The Kim Sisters, the first Korean girl group to break into the American market in 1959. In addition, displayed for the first time is the performance costume and invitation letter of HYUN Mi, a singer from the Eighth United States Army band who passed away last April. Visitors can listen to their music in the “Music Lounge.”

■ Part 2: “Hong Kong and Japanese Pop Culture that Connected Asia”

From the 1970s, Korean consumption of Asian pop culture, such as Hong Kong movies and Japanese manga, increased significantly. Hong Kong movies enjoyed a status akin to Hollywood, especially spreading rapidly in Korea with the proliferation of home videos. The exhibition displays nearly 400 nostalgic Hong Kong movie videos and offers the opportunity to watch them on a video home system (VHS) machine. Although Japanese pop culture was officially banned until 1998, many people already accessed Japanese comics and music through informal channels. Visitors can view and experience various forms of Japanese pop culture that Korea accepted, including inaugural comic magazines and multiple records.

■ Part 3: “From Korean Pop Culture to Hallyu”

Korean pop culture, having absorbed and grown through various foreign pop cultures like the United States, Hong Kong, and Japan, was poised for the potential emergence of Hallyu. Spurred by democratization, globalization, and technological advancements, Korean pop culture started spreading beyond East Asia from the late 1990s to the early 2000s, culminating in the Hallyu phenomenon. Exhibits include an H.O.T. album sold in China and the “Shiri” original soundtrack (OST) sold in Japan, symbolizing the start of Hallyu, while an array of international magazines and newspapers from the 2000s illustrate the global popularity of Hallyu.

Visitors can appreciate how the growth of Korean pop was possible through a fan’s precious album, filled with photographs taken while following S.E.S. Furthermore, a plethora of light sticks generously lent by fans for the exhibition showcase the evolving culture of fandom over time.

■ Engaging with Hallyu through Diverse Experiences

Visitors to the exhibition will be able to experience Hallyu firsthand. They can join young people from Europe and Asia who love Korean pop dancing through “Random Play Dance with the World.” In addition, visitors can sing popular idol remakes of 1990s songs in a Noraebang (karaoke) to relieve summer stress. Augmented reality (AR) experiences and poster activities also offer the chance to appear in Hallyu dramas and movies.

Director HAN Soo of the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History expressed, “The remarkable achievements leading Korean pop culture to Korean culture is the fruition of the collective love from every fan worldwide.” He added, “I hope many fans visit this exhibition and take pride in being the real protagonists of Hallyu.”