Beyond K-pop and cinema: Major Korean exhibition brings centuries of art and belief to London

Before K-pop concerts and Korean blockbusters captivated international audiences, Korea's artists were busy crafting temple bells, perfecting delicate ceramics, and rendering landscapes in ink. This historical chapter of Korean culture is now the centerpiece of "Korea," the British Museum's first major exhibition on Korean art and history in over four decades.

The display, spanning from the 3rd century BC to the present day, showcases 100 artifacts that illuminate the beliefs and traditions that have shaped Korean art. Among the highlights are 10 national treasures and 13 other treasures, state-sanctioned Korean designations for their cultural and historical significance, as announced by Samsung, the exhibition's corporate sponsor.

Among the prized possessions are a 900-year-old incense burner adorned with a mythical creature and a colossal Buddhist temple bell dating back around 1,000 years.

The journey through the exhibition begins with the vibrant blue-green ceramics of the Goryeo dynasty and transitions to the refined porcelain of the Joseon era, which was molded by Confucian principles. These artifacts collectively demonstrate how Buddhism and Confucianism have influenced Korean art throughout the ages. Curator Yoojin Kwak Choi singles out Jeong Seon's "Clearing After Rain on Mount Inwang" as the "absolute star exhibit."

This 18th-century painting by the Joseon dynasty master Jeong Seon marks a pivotal shift from the idealized Chinese landscapes prevalent at the time to a more authentic portrayal of Korea's natural scenery, according to Choi. Yet, the exhibition also pays homage to modern Korean craftsmanship. Yeesookyung's 2018 vase, composed of ceramic shards from both North and South Korea, stands out as a testament to this tradition.

In Korean artistic custom, flawed creations are discarded; Yeesookyung ingeniously repurposed broken fragments, fusing them with gold leaf to create a new, unified piece.

Most of the exhibited items are sourced from the late Samsung chairman Lee Kun-Hee's extensive collection. Lee amassed an impressive array of works throughout his life, and following his passing in 2020, his family generously donated more than 23,000 pieces to South Korean national museums. "Some may mistakenly believe that Korean culture is recent, but it stretches back thousands of years," remarked Benjamin Braun, Samsung Europe's chief marketing officer.

For visitors familiar with Korea's music and film industries, the exhibition offers a profound glimpse into that more extensive history. "Korea" is on view at the British Museum until January 31, 2027.