Explore the phenomenon of Hallyu! The Korean Wave

The first exhibition of its kind to showcase one of the most influential global cultural movements of our time, Hallyu! The Korean Wave opens today exclusively at the National Museum of Australia, in Canberra.

Developed by the renowned Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum in London, the groundbreaking exhibition deep-dives into the Korean creative industry and the impact of this cultural juggernaut on global cinema, drama, music, fandom, tech, beauty and fashion.

Hallyu, meaning ‘Korean wave’, refers to the phenomenon of Korean popular culture exports, which are synonymous with addictive pop hooks, bingeworthy film and dramas, innovative tech, edgy fashion, offbeat beauty trends and moreish street food.

PSY’s 2012 dance hit Gangnam Style went viral, the dystopian drama Squid Game has pervaded our loungerooms, Parasite won the Best Picture Oscar, and most recently, the Netflix sensation KPop Demon Hunters has broken streaming records – Korean culture is everywhere.

The interactive and multi-sensory exhibition, featuring more than 250 objects, combines music, tech, costumes, film props, video, photographs and pop culture ephemera to explore the living cultural movement that is hallyu.

The exhibition maps South Korea’s journey from colonial annexation in the early 20th century, to the global economic and cultural powerhouse the country is today.

Exhibition highlights include the pink suit worn by rapper PSY in the Gangnam Style video; iconic Squid Game guard and player costumes; fashion from international K-pop sensations ATEEZ and aespa; an interactive K-pop dance challenge; the iconic bathroom set from Parasite; a window into family dynasties like Samsung, which have driven Korea’s economic transformation; and insights into the exploding K-beauty industry.

The giant Squid Game Young-hee doll will tower over visitors in the Museum’s forecourt in the exhibition’s opening week.

Hallyu! is complemented by a dynamic season of programming at the Museum including an opening weekend dance party, a high-end Korean feast, a family festival, beauty tutorials, chicken and beer (chimaek) nights and KPop Demon Hunters inspired school holiday programs.

National Museum Director Katherine McMahon said Korean culture in all its forms is influencing the way we live, watch, listen and eat.

‘Whether you’ve had KPop Demon Hunters on repeat, you’re obsessed with Squid Game or love the Oscar-winning film Parasite – there’s no doubt that Korean culture has well and truly arrived,’ said Ms McMahon.

‘Hallyu! demonstrates the profound power of culture to reshape the world, which is interconnected and creatively vibrant,’ she said.

‘Australians have embraced hallyu with the same curiosity and enthusiasm they have bestowed on other cultures, and I know they’ll love this exhibition,’ she said.

‘This exhibition reflects the Museum’s commitment to present both ancient cultures and stories that reflect the world we live in today, contributing not just to the preservation of history, but also to recording and shaping the histories being made right now,’ said Ms McMahon.

V&A Curator Dr Rosalie Kim said the exhibition celebrates the creativity, dynamism and global reach of South Korean culture.

‘It is particularly exciting to bring this exhibition to Australia given its strong Korean/Asian communities and growing contribution of Korean–Australian artists to this cultural phenomenon,’ said Dr Kim.

National Museum Senior Curator Kate Morschel said the exhibition captures hallyu’s evolution from a regional trend to a global cultural force.

‘Come see why Parasite shattered industry norms as the first non-English language film to win Best Picture at the Oscars,’ said Ms Morschel.

‘Understand why Squid Game has captivated over 140 million Netflix viewers and reconnect with the viral moment that sparked our love of K-pop, PSY’s Gangnam Style’ she said.

‘These works didn’t just break records – they broke boundaries,’ said Ms Morschel.

Visitors can also explore the free atrium display spotlighting the rich and evolving connections between South Korea and Australia.

‘Australia is home to a vibrant and growing Korean community, and we wanted the allied display to reflect that energy – spotlighting creatives whose work is reshaping cultural life here,’ said Ms Morschel.

Soothe your Seoul this K-Summer! Catch the Korean Wave right here in Canberra.

Hallyu! The Korean Wave is on show at the National Museum of Australia from 12 December 2025 to 10 May 2026.

Hallyu and Beyond is a free atrium display and is on show at the Museum for the duration of the Hallyu! exhibition.

Background:

Hallyu! The Korean Wave maps the dramatic transformation of South Korea from Japanese annexation (1910), through to the division of the country following the Second World War (1945) and the ensuing Korean War (1950–1953) to the dramatic social, political and economic transformation South Korea underwent in the late 20th century to become the global economic and cultural powerhouse it is today.

The exhibition explores the emergence of chaebols (large family-owned conglomerates) including Samsung, LG and Hyundai who played a significant role in South Korea’s economic growth in the late 20th century.

Key objects and experiences:

Objects

• Pink suit worn by rapper PSY in viral dance hit ‘Gangnam Style’, considered a key defining moment in the globalisation of Korean pop culture
• Recreation of the banjiha (semi-basement apartment) bathroom designed by Lee Ha-jun for Bong Joon-ho’s Oscar-winning film Parasite, an affecting symbol of class disparity
• A Korean folk painting (1850–1910) featuring a tiger and magpies, a popular theme especially in the late Joseon Dynasty. This type of artwork inspired the animal sidekicks in KPop Demon Hunters (2025)
• Iconic pink guard costumes and green tracksuit from hit Netflix series Squid Game
• Looks worn by K-pop idols in hit music videos including members of the group ATEEZ, who are touring Australia in early 2026
• Popular ‘lightsticks’ used by fans to support their K-pop heroes – each K-pop group or idol has its own unique light wand which is synchronised to music during concerts
• Contemporary takes on traditional Korean hanbok dresses that explore the future of K-fashion

Experiences

• Interactive K-pop dance challenge
• Immersive video experience takes you inside the iconic and violent revenge thriller Oldboy hallway fight scene

Media contact:

Kylie Simmonds 0488 957 304
Diana Streak 0409 888 976
Rebecca Gredley-Porteous 0436 961 435

Email media@nma.gov.au

High-resolution images and video are available by emailing media@nma.gov.au

Please tag us in your social media posts @nationalmuseumofaustralia or @nma (LinkedIn only)