Hallyu! The korean Wave
V&A, SOUTH KENSINGTON, London

We designed the lighting for this immersive exhibition alongside the curatorial team of Rosalie Kim and Yoojin Choi, Berlin-based Korean graphic designer Na Kim, and architectural practice Studio MUTT on 3D design. It is a major exhibition showcasing the dynamic and inspirational popular culture of South Korea, following its early origins to its rise as a most significant creative force globally.

We designed the lighting to best showcase the objects be that in showcases, plinths and scenographic setworks. For the evolving atmospheric lighting we began with the principal of the pop up style/ can do creativity represented by singular analogue suspended lines of suspended light. These then morph into vertical installations as the scenography moves exterior sets. These graphic expressions then transforms again into digital dynamic lines of light that break up and reform as we move into music sections with the fans lightsticks installation and into the colour changing and synchronised lighting with AV and mannequins in the Idols room. In the final sections of Beauty and Fashion the line is distilled into a white indirect source providing a sophisticated luminosity to the scenography.

We worked with the set designer for the Parasite film set recreating the famed bathroom scene. And with Google studio to create the lighting conditions for their sensory dance interactive.

We used a mix of DMX and Bluetooth technologies to create scenes and synchronise show controls with other media.

The exhibition opened to 5 star reviews* * * * * - a dazzling historical remix - by The Guardian

3D Design:  Studio MUTT
Creative Lead and 2D Design: Na Kim with Yejou Lee and Jeon San
AV: Luke Halls Studio with DHD services
Contractor: Made Workshop
Photography: Thomas Adank and photos courtesy of Ⓒ Victoria and Albert Museum, London (exception of image 4)