K-pop’s multidimensional identity – as a local pop with a global reach and as a hypercapitalist industry entwined with alternative youth cultures – makes it a fascinating case of contemporary popular culture. This exhibition explores K-pop as a multidimensional cultural movement. The posters document the global rise of Korean pop artists, including BTS, in the 21st century and describe K-pop’s unique approaches to production, aesthetics, representation, and fan practice. The exhibition also showcases K-pop memorabilia housed in the University Library, enriching our understanding of a pop music genre that is much more than music.
For more information, including the digital version of our exhibition and the launch event, please see this website.
The exhibition was organised by a team of staff and students from the School of East Asian Studies and the University Library. Read about the team behind the exhibition.