The Summer 202526 edition of The Museumis themed Hallyu and complements the V&As spectacular exhibition Hallyu! The Korean Wave, on show at the National Museum of Australia from 12 December 2025 to 10 May 2026.

We take you behind the scenes of this international touring exhibition and explore the global phenomenon of Korean popular culture from film and television to music, beauty and fashion and its influence in Australia today.

Articles delve into personal stories of migration, the love of K-pop and the growing impact of Korean food culture, and Estelle Yoon takes us to Koreatown in her photo essay.

This issue features four covers designed by artists Lucius Ha, Han Dang, Haein Kim and Sophi Odling. Inside is a poster of the cover artwork and a manhwa (comic) by Haein Kim.

Selected contents:

• National Museum curatorKate Morschel in conversation with V&A curatorRosalie Kim on the making of Hallyu!and the future of collecting objects shaped by Koreas cultural influence.
• Yerin Ha, KoreanAustralian actor and star of the upcoming season of Netflixs Bridgerton, shares her story.
• Personal histories fromAndrew Undi Lee, creator of Night Bloomers, broadcast on SBS; beauty influencerAbigail Kye Palmer on life in Seoul; and filmmaker Soo Hugh, whose credits include the screen adaptation of Pachinko.
• SBS PopAsia presenterAndy Trieu talks life after K-pop with former ZE:A memberKevin Kim.
• Brian Yecies, Professor of Communication and Media at the University of Wollongong, uncovers links between Australian and Korean film industries, including the Oscar-winning Parasite.
• Two flavours of Korean cuisine: Vanessa Broadfoot, director of Broadbean Catering, meets chefJung Eun Chae, whose ferment-rich menu is served in a six-seat home restaurant in rural Victoria; and Tasmanian-bornchefJoseph Lidgerwood, owner of Seouls Michelin-starred Evett.
• Entertainment journalistJenna Guillaume shares how K-pop changed her life for the better.
• Kris Nelson, Sydney Festival Director, previews Korean choreographerEun-Me Ahns bold work Post-Orientalist Express.

Publication details
ISSN 2200-2472
96 pages
National Museum of Australia, December 2025

Covers (top left to bottom right):
Pray in the Haze (detail), 2025, by Lucius Sung Myeong Ha the artist
Between Waves and Moons (detail), 2025, by Sophi Odling the artist
Angry Flower (detail), 2020, by Haein Kim the artist
Wonmul (Raw Ingredients), 2025, by Han Dang, Hann Studio the artist