Tradition Reimagined: KCC opens “Hanbok, Reborn as Art” exhibition
The Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC) opened “Hanbok, Reborn as Art,” a contemporary art exhibition celebrating the enduring beauty of Korea’s traditional clothing, last July 10 at the KCC in Taguig City.
The event is organized under Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and presented in partnership with the Savina Museum of Contemporary Art. It features the work of 18 contemporary Korean artists who reinterpret the hanbok through painting, sculpture, installation, and video. The exhibition will be open to the public free of charge until September 26.
The exhibition’s opening ceremony on July 9 welcomed distinguished guests. The guests included Myeongjin Kim, Director of the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines, Myungohk Lee, Director of Savina Museum of Contemporary Arts, Bernan Joseph Corpuz, Deputy Executive Director of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Wilma Huang, President of Museo Pambata and Ian Gines, Senior Curator of the Metropolitan Museum of Manila.
About the Exhibition
“Hanbok is not a fixed heritage frozen in the past, but a living cultural asset that is constantly being reinterpreted and expanded through its encounters with contemporary art and modern culture.”
Director Myungohk Lee of the Savina Museum of Contemporary Art
The hanbok has long carried the history, philosophy, and aesthetic sensibility of the Korean people. As it evolved through the centuries, the garment took on many forms, each reflecting the spirit of its time. “Hanbok, Reborn as Art” invites visitors to immerse themselves in the heritage through this event. There will be 18 contemporary artists exploring the intersection of tradition and modernity to create original works. The exhibition has already traveled to China, Kazakhstan, and Nigeria, and is next set to travel to Malaysia this year.
“We hope that, through this exhibition, Filipino visitors will discover in hanbok — beyond K-pop and K-dramas — the deep roots of Korean culture, the creative capacity of Korean contemporary art, and its future possibilities.”
Director Myungohk Lee of the Savina Museum of Contemporary Art
The exhibition shows a wide range of media and techniques, offering new ways to experience Korean identity and culture. These include paintings, sculptures, installations, and videos.
Visitor Information & Guided Tours
“Hanbok, Reborn as Art” is open to the public free of charge from July 10 to September 26, 2026, Mondays to Saturdays, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, at the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines, 59 Bayani Road, Taguig City, Metro Manila.
“We hope Filipino visitors will experience Korean culture in a more multidimensional way through this exhibition, and that cultural and artistic exchange between the two countries will continue to expand.”
Director Myeongjin Kim of the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines
Visitors can also look forward to an interactive kit where they can create and take home their own mini hanbok. There is also a hanbok experience corner where they may try on a traditional hanbok every Friday starting July 24. Groups interested in a free guided tour of the exhibition may inquire through info@koreanculture.ph.
“This exhibition is a venue that introduces both the beauty of Korean traditional culture and the creativity of contemporary art through hanbok.”
Director Myeongjin Kim of the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines
Press release from KCC
