Kim Ah-joong Brings Living Beauty to Barbie Exhibition

Actress and model Kim Ah-joong will form a welcome living contrast among around 2,000 Barbie dolls being displayed in the Design Museum at the Seoul Arts Center as the world's largest exhibition dedicated to the toy, The Barbie Story, Seoul starts on Saturday. Dance groups LPG and Diva will be also at the opening ceremony.

The Chosun Ilbo subsidiary Sports Chosun and EMS co-sponsored the event celebrating the doll's 45th anniversary. The actual birthday was last March, but the show started its tour in Austria, France and Germany and Barbie is only now ready to meet her Korean fans. Lasting until Jan. 28, it features Barbies dressed like the stars in famous movies and dolls sporting outfits from top domestic and international designers.

"I am pleased to be able to see Barbies in so many various styles", Kim said. "I'm doubly pleased that I am invited to the opening ceremony".

Kim became this year's undisputed queen of commercials, appearing in nearly a dozen, as well as landing a role in her first daily soap "Unique Women and Men" ("Bizarre Bunch") on KBS1. If that wasn't enough, she is also hosting "Happy Together Friends" on KBS 2 as well as starring in box-office hit "When Romance Meets Destiny". All in all, 2005 has been the year of Kim Ah-joong.

Advertisement