The Korean Cultural Center in Hong Kong, in collaboration with the Seoul Museum of Art, is presenting a significant exhibition titled "KITSCH & POP: Korean Pop Art Now," which runs until November 22, 2025. This comprehensive showcase offers visitors a fresh perspective on Korean Pop Art and its evolution in the contemporary art world.
The exhibition arrives at a particularly relevant time, as Korean culture continues to gain global recognition through the widespread popularity of K-pop and other aspects of Korean cultural exports. The show provides a timely re-examination of Korean Pop Art, emphasizing its growing importance and influence in the international art scene amid this cultural wave.
The exhibition features an impressive roster of contemporary artists who represent the new generation of Korean Pop Art. Among the featured artists are young, post-internet creators who have been actively working since the 2010s, including Sunpil Don, Mirim Chu, Sangho Noh, Raejung Sim, Sungsil Ryu, and Jeongsu Woo. These artists bring fresh perspectives and digital-age sensibilities to the Korean Pop Art movement, reflecting how the genre has evolved with technological advancement and changing cultural landscapes.
To provide historical context and showcase the movement's development, the exhibition also includes carefully selected works from the Seoul Museum of Art's collection. These pieces are created by established artists who were key representatives of the Korean Pop Art movement from the early to mid-2000s, including Kyoung Tack Hong, Donghyun Son, MeeNa Park, and Shinhye Kim. This thoughtful curation creates a dialogue between different generations of Korean Pop artists, illustrating the movement's evolution and continuity.
The exhibition officially opened with a reception held last Thursday evening, which drew attention from art enthusiasts and cultural observers. During the opening event, Bo Bae Lee, the curator from the Seoul Museum of Art, delivered a speech providing insights into the exhibition's concept and significance. Artist Mirim Chu, one of the featured contemporary artists, also spoke at the event, offering her perspective on the current state of Korean Pop Art. Following the speeches, both Lee and Chu led attendees on a guided tour of the exhibition, providing detailed explanations of the artworks and their cultural significance.
