Korea

A new exhibition at the British Museum will explore over two millennia of Korean art and culture, drawing on exceptional works from the collection of the late Samsung Chairman, Lee Kun-Hee. This will be the first major exhibition in the UK to showcase these extraordinary objects, which were donated to the National Museum of Korea in 2021.

Spanning from 300 BC to the present day, Korea reveals how the country's artists and craftspeople have continually demonstrated creativity, resilience and a deep appreciation for nature. At a time when Korean culture has an unprecedented global presence, often described as the 'Korean Wave' (Hallyu), this exhibition offers a timely opportunity to reflect on the deep historical roots of this cultural phenomenon.

The exhibition presents historic national treasures alongside modern and contemporary works, creating a dialogue between the past and present. Among the highlights are bronze ritual implements dating to 300–100 BC, a 13th-century gourd-shaped celadon ewer, and modern masterpieces such as Jeong Seon's 'Clearing after the Rain on Mount Inwang'.