Last week I went to the V&A again, this time to see the exposition called “The Korean Wave”.

This exhibition explores hallyu’s meteoric rise and celebrates its many facets, offering a gateway into the past and present of Korean culture through the lenses of K-drama and cinema, K-pop and its fandoms, and K-beauty and fashion.

The Hallyu is explane as a wave that surge of popular culture from South Korea that has swept the globe.

In the realm of fashion, the initial article that greets us upon embarking on this journey is none other than the ensemble worn by Psy in his renowned music video, “Gangnam Style”. This visual masterpiece achieved a global triumph, making history as the foremost video to amass one billion views on the renowned platform, YouTube.

Subsequently, we are presented with the sartorial pieces featured in the sensational series Round 6, which epitomizes Korea’s widespread triumph. Undeniably, this television series is amongst the most notable of our era, and upon beholding these garments, we are effortlessly transported back to the captivating narrative that it narrates.

Additionally, we encounter the attire that was donned during a momentous occasion in Korea’s history, namely the Olympics. Specifically, this garment was worn by the dedicated volunteers who tirelessly contributed to the success of the 1988 event. The informative plaque adorning the museum elucidates that this apparel was crafted with the country’s customary attire in mind, thereby serving as a means of extolling the culture and heritage of the region.

One piece that caught my attention was this adidas set in collaboration with Ji Won Choi.
For her Adidas Originals collection, she combines her Korean roots with the Adidas iconic three stripes to create a fresh take on sportswear. Borrowing from the goreum (jacket tie-straps) and denim (trouser ankle straps) that replace the buttons on a hanbok, this tracksuit features multiple straps that amplify the wearer’s movement.

Finally, we can come across current fashion. These dresses above show a retelling of the hanbok (traditional Korean dress). The designer is Lee Young-hee. She shattered the common perception of hanbok as traditional wear reserved for ceremonial occasions. This iconic hanbok, without the jeogori (jacket), marks the symbolic moment when hanbok appeared in the global spotlight.

Henceforth, this museum experience allows us to perceive the vast extent of Korean culture’s influence and its remarkable significance in contemporary society, particularly in the realm of fashion.