PSY performs Gangnam Style, on TODAY, 2012, New York USA. Couresy of Jason Decrow, Invision, AP, Shutterstock

K Pop Culture explored at London’s V&A

As part of a series of events and exhibitions in London this Autumn the V&A have staged Hallyu: The Korean Wave from the 28th September 2022. The exhibition contains over 200 items and digital displays including photography, sculpture, fashion, video and pop culture ephemera.

YG Flashmob in Trafalgar Square 2011. Photo Philip Gowman

Delving into the explosion of K-Pop music around the world, the exhibition underlines the crucial roles social media and fandoms play in increasing their reach. Highlights include a monumental three-metre-high sculpture of G-Dragon by Gwon Osang, aespa’s original iridescent outfits from the music video Next Level, and British punk fashion-inspired ensembles worn by four members of ATEEZ in the music video Fireworks. For this section the V&A has also worked with celebrated K-pop Style and Visual Director Gee Eun, who has styled idols like BLACKPINK and BIGBANG, and Style Director Balko, who has worked with BTS and NCT, to display two ‘Idol’ looks each.

Aespa ‘Next Level’ MV, 2021. © SM Entertainment

More K-music and events from around the world

K-Music Festival: Now in its ninth year, K-Music Festival presents a musical response to ‘Hallyu! The Korean Wave’ from 5 October to 24 November 2022. Celebrating music and genres outside of K-pop in Korea, the Festival events will span from electronica, jazz and heavy rock, to progressive post-rock and traditional Korean music across different venues in London.
K-Pop Flex: Europe’s biggest K-pop festival is planning its 2023 edition between Frankfurt and London next year. Stay tuned and save the dates!
Halluy Con: Held in London at Samsung KX, Hallyu Con 2022 will be the very first hybrid edition of the event. On 1 October, feel free to join Hallyu Con in person or through livestream for a day of celebration, incredible performances, hanbok showcase, Hangeul Seoye and more.
K-Con: An historical convention touring worldwide from LA California since 2012, this year’s K-Con has just passed, but stay tuned for its 2023 edition!
For those who want to party at the rythim of K-pop, K-Events, Europe’s largest K-pop events organiser, have a presence in over 26 countries where they bring their K-pop nights. Head to their events page to find the closest to you.
K-pop Cover Dance Festival: with over 9k partecipants submitting their videos from all over the world this year, the K-pop Cover Dance Festival is international amateur dance competition where contestants attempt to perfectly replicate their favourite artists dance routine in order to be crowned champion. The second round will be in early October, don’t miss it!
K-pop World Festival: Held in the Korean city of Changwon every year, the competition brings K-pop fans from all over to either cover their favourite artists songs or dance routines in various categories with goal for all contestants to be named overall grand prize champion of the whole event. According to Kpopmap this year’s edition will take place on 7 October at Changwon Civic Stadium.
Pop Asia: If you can’t decide between K and J-pop, PopAsia is perceft for you. From origami folding and manga, to J-pop and K-pop dance routines, Pop Asia is a celebration of everything awesome about ESEA pop-culture – at ExCeL London, between 28-30 October 2022.

To find more about the fascinating world of KPop collecting go here to hear from collector Taylor of ‘Kpopcds’ fame!

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