‘Hallyu! The Korean Wave’ Lands at Museum Rietberg This Year
Here’s all you need to know about the exhibition exploring Korean pop culture.
After successful showcases in London, Boston, and San Francisco, Hallyu! The Korean Wave is now making its fourth appearance in Zurich, showing at the historic Museum Rietberg this Spring/Summer season.
The touring exhibition, curated by the Victoria and Albert Museum, responds to the growing popularity of contemporary Korean culture across the globe. Going back to the late ‘90s, it spotlights nearly three decades of art, design, music, and cinema that have all individually played a part in the country’s modern-day movement, widely recognized as “Hallyu” or “Korean Wave.”
Saekdong by Darcygom. Photo Jihoon Jung Courtesy Darcygom
Samsung Production Line, 1970s. Courtesy Of The Samsung Innovation Museum
Gungbo © Victoria And Albert Museum
© D-Antidote
What You See Is The Unseen / Chandeliers For Five Cities © Kyungah Ham. Courtesy Of The Artist And Kukje Gallery. Photo: Chunho An
Costumes Du Vent, Lee Young-Hee, 1993. © Victoria And Albert Museum
Gangnam View Of Hyundai Apartment Blocks. Photo Jun Min Cho, Museum Of Contemporary History Of Korea
The Peony Dress by Miss Sohee, Photo by Daniel Sachon
Unknown Artist, Folding Screen With “books And Objects” In A Studio, 19th C., Private Collection
Unknown Artist, Moon Jar, Early 18th C., Museum Rietberg
Ji Won Choi X Adidas
A Netflix Original Series. Squid Game © 2021 Netflix
Byeoksan Yongha And Taeil (signed), Gathering Of Buddhist Deities, 1891, Kulturmuseum St. Gallen
Everything from K-pop to K-dramas are featured in the exhibition via a mixed media archive comprising magazines and photographs as well as costumes from the hit Netflix show Squid Game and a reproduction of the set from the Academy Award-winning film Parasite. Meanwhile, the evolution of fashion is traced through a vibrant display of clothing adorned by BTS and BLACKPINK, interspersed with contemporary adaptations of traditional hanbok garments from sportswear brand adidas.
Building on the debut exhibition at the V&A, this particular showcase will also include an extended portion to celebrate its last stop in Europe. In addition to the 200 objects, visitors can expect traditional Buddhist and Shamanistic art from the region, a video installation by South Korean artist Nam June Paik, and a handcrafted piece from Korean-Swiss fashion designer Nina Yuun.
Take a sneak peek at the featured works in the gallery above.
Hallyu! The Korean Wave is now open to visit until August 17, 2025. To get tickets, head to Museum Rietberg’s website.
Museum Rietberg
Gablerstrasse 15
Zürich 8002
