Explore Korean Culture This Weekend In Boston

From K-pop to K-dramas to K-fashion, see how South Korea became a cultural juggernaut in this one-of-a-kind exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

If you’re looking to do something fun and learn something new, head over to the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) in Boston and check out Hallyu! The Korean Wave exhibition before it closes on July 28^th.

“Hallyu” is a term that literally means the “Korean Wave” and is used to refer to the ever-growing popularity of South Korean culture and entertainment across the globe.

The first major exhibition in the West to focus on the rise of South Korean pop culture, Hallyu! shows how South Korea went from being one of the poorest countries in the world to a global cultural and economic powerhouse. South Korea’s rags-to-riches story unfolds through a collection of about 250 objects, including photographs, videos, artwork, costumes, props and more.

Some of these showcase the country’s contributions to art, cinema, TV, music, fashion, beauty and technology. Others offer a sweeping look at modern Korean history, starting with Korea’s early modernization efforts around the turn of the 20^th century and its subsequent annexation and occupation by colonial Japan. Visitors are also given a glimpse into the Korean War, the country’s decades-long military dictatorship, ensuing democratization and even the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis, which devastated the South Korean economy. The result is a short but valuable history lesson that will leave you with a better understanding of how South Korea got to where it is today.

“We think it’s very important for people to learn what happened in Korea in the 20^th century,” said Christina Yu Yu, chair of Asian Art at the MFA and curator of the exhibition. “It’s a history that a lot of Americans don’t necessarily know, so this is a chance to introduce them to that as well.”

Here’s what you need to know about this unique exhibition, and why it’s a must-visit:

What Can I Expect To See At The Hallyu! The Korean Wave Exhibition At The MFA?

The exhibition originally launched at London’s Victoria & Albert (V&A) Museum in 2022 to great acclaim and made its U.S. debut in late March of this year at the MFA.

Billed as an “immersive and multisensory journey” through South Korea’s past and present, Hallyu! The Korean Wave is an eclectic collection of roughly 250 pieces that together tell the story of South Korea’s remarkable resilience and innovation.

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The exhibition is organized into the following sections:

Introduction, featuring “Gangnam Style”

A wall at the entrance to the exhibition is covered with LED screens showing people around the world dancing to PSY’s 2012 viral hit “Gangnam Style,” which was the first music video to reach one billion views on YouTube.

From Rubble to Smartphones

Through photos, posters and archival materials, this part provides an overview of South Korea’s turbulent history, from the depths of Japanese colonial oppression and the ruins of the Korean War to rapid economic development under military rule and subsequent democratization—the latter two of which set the stage for South Korea’s rise to cultural prominence.

Sounding K-pop and Fandoms

This section explores how social media and international fandoms have turned K-pop into a global phenomenon.

Spotlighting K-drama and Cinema

Using posters, props, costumes, multimedia and installations, the exhibit traces South Korea’s evolution into a global leader in TV and cinema, beginning in the late 1990’s.

Making K-beauty and Fashion

The origins and innovations of Korean fashion and beauty are shown through traditional and contemporary costumes and samples of K-beauty product packaging over the years—some of which date back to the 13^th century!

Interactive K-pop Dance Challenge

What better way to cap off your visit than by learning some K-pop choreography? Don’t worry, instructions are displayed on the screen, and there are different levels to choose from!

What Are Some Highlights From The Exhibition?

Highlights from the exhibition include:

• The iconic pink guard costumes and green tracksuit from the blockbuster K-drama Squid Game, which still remains Netflix’s most-watched series ever

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• A recreation of the bathroom set from Bong Joon-ho’s Oscar-winning picture Parasite
• Original outfits worn by K-pop stars like ATEEZ, aespa, G-Dragon of BIGBANG and RM of BTS as well as traditional Korean clothing (“hanbok”) from popular historical K-dramas like Hwang Jini and Jewel in the Palace
• A large-scale needlework designed by South Korean artist Kyungah Ham and made by anonymous embroiderers from North Korea

• Dresses by couture designer Park Sohee, Next in Fashion winner Minju Kim, hanbok fashion brand Tchai Kim founder Kim Young Jin, and other leading Korean fashion designers
• A display of official K-pop light sticks used by popular K-pop groups over the years, from BIGBANG to B.A.P to BLACKPINK
• Vinyl records released by iconic Korean artists like Shin Joong-hyun (the “Godfather of Korean Rock”), Patti Kim and Cho Yong-pil
• Old magazine covers featuring legendary Korean actors like Jung Woo-sung and Ahn Sung-ki

How Is The MFA Exhibition Different From The Original One At The V&A?

At the MFA’s Hallyu! exhibition, all visitors are required to walk through the history section (From Rubble to Smartphones). “The history section [is something] we feel that every visitor should know,” said Yu Yu.

Once you get past the history section, however, the rest of the exhibition is set up in a non-linear fashion, much like a choose-your-own-adventure format.

The exhibition also includes about a dozen objects from the MFA’s permanent collection of Korean art—one of the largest and finest in the U.S.

Also featured are works that detail the Korean American experience, including:

• A compilation of gold-covered childhood photographs by Boston-based artist Timothy Hyunsoo Lee that reflect his experience as an immigrant growing up between cultures;
• A textile collage by Washington, D.C.-based artist Julia Kwon that shines a light on the rise of anti-Asian hate crimes during the COVID-19 pandemic;
• Prop photographs from the critically acclaimed film Minari
• Photographs on loan from MFA staff member Julia Kim that provide a fascinating glimpse into her family’s history from the Korean War to their immigration to the U.S. According to Kim, her paternal grandfather taught himself English, joined the South Korean army and served as an interpreter and liaison between American soldiers and the Korean people. He later became a diplomat at the South Korean embassy in Washington, D.C., prompting him to bring his family to the U.S.

When Can I Visit The Exhibition?

Museum hours can be found on the MFA’s website. Hallyu! The Korean Wave runs until Sunday, July 28^th, so make sure to stop by before the exhibition ends!

How Much Time Will It Take Me to See The Whole Exhibition?

Visitors can expect to spend about a couple of hours at the exhibition.

How Can I Get Tickets To See Hallyu! The Korean Wave?

To purchase tickets, visit the MFA’s ticketing site.

What If I Cannot Make It To The Exhibition Before It Closes On July 28^th?

The exhibition will be traveling to San Francisco, where it will be on view at the Asian Art Museum starting from September 27^th.

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