Art exhibition boosting Korean Wave
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The Korean Wave, the Asian craze for Korean pop culture, seems unwavering. Korean sculptor Jeong Jin-hong's "The Central Exhibition of the Korean Wave" is a success in Osaka, Japan.
The exhibition at Hotel Hankyu Expo Park displays real-size bronze sculptures of 30 Korean pop culture stars, especially popular in the Asian region.
Among the works are sculptures of "Yonsama" Bae Yong-joon and Choi Ji-woo, who starred in the TV drama "Winter Sonata", which struck Japanese viewers with a tear-invoking, romantic love story. Visitors can also see the carvings of pop singer Rain who was invited to the MTV Japan Awards as a performing artist last May, and actor kwon Sang-woo who recently began to appear in a Japanese milk commercial on TV.
Jeong's exhibit is the first of its kind drawing many Japanese visitors to the center of the Korean Wave.
The Hankyu hotel offered the venue and Hankyu-Daiich Hotel Group actively advertised about Jeong's works in newspapers and on subway lines around Osaka. On average, about 10,000 Japanese visit the studio everyday, and more than 3,000 people make reservations for Korean cuisine buffet which is offered along with the exhibit.
Jeong said he wanted to contribute to the boom of Korean culture in Asia through art.
"The exhibit is meaningful because it proves pure art can support pop art", said Jeong.
"Almost all expenses except for Jeong's individual contribution were sponsored by Japanese. There was no support from the Korean government or company. I don't know if it's a good thing though", commented Han Mi-rim from Neo Cube Communications which planned and organized the exhibit.
Han said the exhibition at the Japanese hotel is the testament to the flourishing Korean Wave that can help strengthen the image of Korea as well as national wealth. Thus, Han said, cultural products should be developed with Koreans' unchanging support and attention.
Jeong's exhibition, planned as part of commemorative events of the "Year of Korea-Japan Friendship 2005", will continue until Friday. For more information, visit http://www.htl-expopark.jp
By Kim Yoon-mi
The exhibition at Hotel Hankyu Expo Park displays real-size bronze sculptures of 30 Korean pop culture stars, especially popular in the Asian region.
Among the works are sculptures of "Yonsama" Bae Yong-joon and Choi Ji-woo, who starred in the TV drama "Winter Sonata", which struck Japanese viewers with a tear-invoking, romantic love story. Visitors can also see the carvings of pop singer Rain who was invited to the MTV Japan Awards as a performing artist last May, and actor kwon Sang-woo who recently began to appear in a Japanese milk commercial on TV.
Jeong's exhibit is the first of its kind drawing many Japanese visitors to the center of the Korean Wave.
The Hankyu hotel offered the venue and Hankyu-Daiich Hotel Group actively advertised about Jeong's works in newspapers and on subway lines around Osaka. On average, about 10,000 Japanese visit the studio everyday, and more than 3,000 people make reservations for Korean cuisine buffet which is offered along with the exhibit.
Jeong said he wanted to contribute to the boom of Korean culture in Asia through art.
"The exhibit is meaningful because it proves pure art can support pop art", said Jeong.
"Almost all expenses except for Jeong's individual contribution were sponsored by Japanese. There was no support from the Korean government or company. I don't know if it's a good thing though", commented Han Mi-rim from Neo Cube Communications which planned and organized the exhibit.
Han said the exhibition at the Japanese hotel is the testament to the flourishing Korean Wave that can help strengthen the image of Korea as well as national wealth. Thus, Han said, cultural products should be developed with Koreans' unchanging support and attention.
Jeong's exhibition, planned as part of commemorative events of the "Year of Korea-Japan Friendship 2005", will continue until Friday. For more information, visit http://www.htl-expopark.jp
By Kim Yoon-mi
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