We designed the lighting for this immersive exhibition in collaboration with the curatorial team of Rosalie Kim and Yoojin Choi, Berlin-based Korean graphic designer Na Kim, and architectural practice Studio MUTT on 3D design. This major exhibition showcases the dynamic and inspirational popular culture of South Korea, tracing its early origins to its emergence as one of the most significant creative forces globally.

Our lighting approach was developed to best highlight the objects—whether displayed in showcases, on plinths, or as part of scenographic setworks. For the evolving atmospheric lighting, we began with the principle of pop-up style and “can-do” creativity, represented by singular analogue lines of suspended light. These gradually morph into vertical installations as the scenography shifts to exterior sets. The graphic expressions then transform once more into digital, dynamic lines of light that fragment and reform as the journey continues into the music section—featuring the fan lightsticks installation—and culminate in colour-changing, synchronised lighting in the Idols room, integrating AV and mannequin displays.

In the final sections, Beauty and Fashion, the light line is distilled into an indirect white source, providing a sophisticated luminosity that complements the scenography.

We also collaborated with the set designer from Parasite to recreate the film’s iconic bathroom scene, and with Google Studio to craft the lighting conditions for their sensory dance interactive.

A mix of DMX and Bluetooth technologies was used to create lighting scenes and synchronise show controls with other media.

The exhibition opened to five-star reviews (★★★★★)—“a dazzling historical remix,” according to The Guardian.