British Museum’s ‘Korea’ exhibition presents country’s heritage beyond pop culture

By the Editorial Team · Monday, October 5, 2026

The British Museum opened an exhibition showcasing over 2,000 years of Korean art and culture, featuring artifacts from the Iron Age to contemporary works, including items loaned by major Korean institutions. The exhibit aims to expand public understanding beyond Korea’s modern popular culture by highlighting the country’s rich historical heritage and its ongoing cultural narratives.

The British Museum in London opened a new exhibition on October 1 that traces over two millennia of Korea’s artistic and cultural history, aiming to present a broader perspective beyond the country’s contemporary popular culture. Running until January 31, 2027, the exhibit showcases a diverse range of works from the early Iron Age to modern times.

Curated by Sang-ah Kim, the exhibition addresses the common perception of Korea primarily through its recent global cultural exports, particularly among younger audiences in the UK. “Most people... know about Korea through its popular culture,” Kim noted, highlighting the intent to reveal Korea’s extensive heritage marked by creativity, resilience, and technical skill extending back more than 2,000 years.

The display draws heavily on significant collections, including pieces formerly owned by Lee Kun-hee, the late chairman of Samsung, whose family has contributed works to the exhibition. Among the featured items are Buddhist statuettes and sutras, notable Goryeo celadon ceramics, and contemporary pieces such as a sculpture from Yeesookyung’s “Translated Vase” series, which repurposes broken pottery shards.

Some artifacts echo imagery familiar to visitors acquainted with Korean contemporary media. For instance, traditional motifs like tigers, magpies, and the “Sun, Moon and Five Peaks” folding screen appear in the Netflix animated series “KPop Demon Hunters,” providing a bridge between historic and modern cultural expressions.

The exhibition also includes pieces reflecting themes of home, migration, and separation. Noteworthy works in this regard include Suh Do Ho’s thread drawing titled “Self-Portrait” and paintings by Lee Jung-seop, an artist who experienced separation from his family during the Korean War.

Many items on display are loans from major institutions in South Korea, including the National Museum of Korea and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. The exhibition offers a comprehensive overview of Korea’s evolving artistic traditions and cultural identity across centuries.

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