BAKBAK! NANA! JJAJJA!

Since the late 1990s, the Korean Wave has ascended to become one of Asia’s biggest cultural phenomena. South Korean pop culture and entertainment first spread through China and Japan, where the trend is referred to as “Hallyu”, then to Southeast Asia including Indonesia. The global impact of these cultural exchange including pop culture, entertainment, music, TV dramas and movies continues to be significant, as reflected in the design exhibition “Hallyu! The Korean Wave” on view at the Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington, London.

“BAKBAK! NANA! JJAJJA!” presents 5 Korean artists of the 90’s generation whose works are inspired by social and cultural trends from their youth. The title incorporates modern Korean slang, translating to expressions of “success,” “emphasis,” and “assurance.” Drawing from popular media including cartoons, collectible toys, street art, graphic art, textiles, and fashion, these artists cross boundaries both geographic and stylistic. Their work is visually appealing and emotionally accessible, reflecting the emerging cultural sensibility of the later Millennials.

To connect with a broader public, these artists have collaborated with lifestyle brands such as Nike and Perrier, as well as experiential entertainment producers such as HYBE Insight and SM Entertainment. Some have worked with

K-POP artists such as Buwon Seo with Code Kunst (코드쿤스트) and G-Dragon (지드래곤), Jinwoo Kim with BTS, and MAWZ with aespa.