From K-POP Demon Hunters, BTS and aespa, to Squid Games and Parasite, K-beauty to bibimbap, Hallyu has us obsessed. Photo: Hayley Nicholls
Canberra is well and truly swept up in the cultural tide of Korea, from K-Pop to critically-acclaimed cinema, edgy fashion to innovative skincare and all under the watchful eyes of one of Korea’s biggest stars.
Hallyu! The Korean Wave is on show at the National Museum of Australia until 10 May 2026.
Developed by the renowned Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum in London, the exhibition explores South Korea’s global impact on the creative industries of cinema, drama, music, fandom, tech, beauty and fashion.
It’s a major coup for our capital, being the only Australian stop for the travelling exhibition.
National Museum of Australia senior curator Kate Morschel wanted to design a space which honoured the joyful energy of Hallyu! and offered something not seen before.
“We really lent in to the city of Seoul as our reference and tried to bring in the neon pulse of that city and importantly, we’ve also had a lot of fun,” she said.
“These are expressions that bring a lot of joy to people, and we’ve been inspired by that energy.”
Featuring more than 250 objects, the exhibition catapults visitors into the K-dimension with a multi-sensory experience of costumes, historical objects, props, sets, photographs, contemporary art, music, tech and video.
Scurry past Squid Games’ infamous 5 m Young-Hee doll, while a more upbeat welcome comes from the iconic pink suit worn by rapper PSY in the Gangnam Style video.
From there, experience K-Pop stardom with an interactive dance challenge, or immerse yourself in a fight scene from violent revenge thriller Oldboy.
Other highlights include popular looks worn by international K-Pop sensations ATEEZ and aespa, a recreation of the banjiha (semi-basement apartment) bathroom from Oscar-winning film Parasite, and the iconic pink guard costumes and green tracksuit from Squid Games.
Ms Morschel says the beauty of Hallyu! lays in the breadth of its expressions.
“I think what resonates is that people can connect through different ways,” she said.
“For a cultural movement to have been sustained for so long – but also to cover and touch so many forms – is quite unusual.”
Celebrating the phenomenal rise of Korean popular culture worldwide, Hallyu! maps South Korea’s journey from colonial annexation in the early 20th century, to the global economic and cultural powerhouse the country is today.
V&A Curator Dr Rosalie Kim says the exhibition celebrates the creativity, dynamism and global reach of South Korean culture.
“No exhibition so far has looked at this cultural shift, so I saw this opportunity to stage this exhibition, celebrate Hallyu!, but also use Hallyu! as a gateway to guide me to Korean modern history, Korean cultural heritage as well as contemporary society,” she says.
Ms Morschel says the contemporary movement of Hallyu! is evolving at astonishing speed, with no signs of slowing.
“It is really shifting and challenging the dominant cultural narratives and channels as well. We’ve had lots flowing out from the West and South Korean industries are really challenging and upending that, which is exciting to see.
“We hope visitors leave understanding that Hallyu! didn’t just reach the world, the world reached back.”
Hallyu! The Korean Wave is at the National Museum of Australia until May 2026. The celebration of all things Korean includes concerts, arts and crafts and food.
