The Korean Wave has reached Canberra with force, as the National Museum of Australia opens the doors to Hallyu! The Korean Wave, the first exhibition of its kind to chart how South Korean culture has travelled across film, music, fashion, tech and everyday life. The show arrives exclusively in the capital, bringing more than 250 objects from one of the world’s most dynamic creative industries.
National Museum Director Katherine McMahon said the reach of Korean storytelling is now unmistakable in Australia. “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,” she said. She added that the Museum aims to reflect both history and the world unfolding around it. “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.”
The exhibition was developed by London’s Victoria and Albert Museum. Its curator, Dr Rosalie Kim, said Australia’s multicultural character made it a fitting destination. “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,” she said.
Hallyu, meaning Korean Wave, refers to the surge of cultural exports that have shaped global tastes over the past two decades. From PSY’s ‘Gangnam Style’ to Squid Game’s masked guards and Parasite’s unsettling basement setting, Korean creative work has become familiar to audiences across the world. The Canberra exhibition includes PSY’s bright pink suit, the guard and player costumes from Squid Game, and a reconstructed bathroom from Parasite designed by Lee Ha-jun. There are also looks worn by K-pop idols ATEEZ and aespa, the lightsticks held aloft at concerts, and contemporary takes on traditional hanbok.
Senior Curator Kate Morschel said the exhibition shows how Korean creators have shifted expectations in film, television and music. “Come see why Parasite shattered industry norms as the first non-English language film to win Best Picture at the Oscars,” she said. “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 cultural moments did more than top charts. “These works didn’t just break records—they broke boundaries.”
Hallyu! is designed as an interactive and multi-sensory experience, moving from early twentieth century history through to the rise of chaebols such as Samsung and Hyundai, and into the explosion of entertainment exports that now underpin Korea’s global presence. Visitors can take part in a K-pop dance challenge, explore an immersive Oldboy fight-scene recreation, or walk beneath a towering Young-hee doll from Squid Game during opening week.
Beyond the galleries, the Museum has created a season of events inspired by the exhibition, including a dance party, a Korean feast, family programs, beauty workshops and chimaek nights. The atrium display, Hallyu and Beyond, highlights the connections between Australia and South Korea through the work of Korean–Australian creatives. “Australia is home to a vibrant and growing Korean community, and we wanted the atrium display to reflect that energy—spotlighting creatives whose work is reshaping cultural life here,” Ms Morschel said.
Hallyu! The Korean Wave runs from 12 December 2025 to 10 May 2026 at the National Museum of Australia. The Museum hopes visitors will see the exhibition as a chance to engage with a movement that continues to expand its reach, shaping everything from global entertainment to everyday habits.
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