The Korean Cultural Centre UK is set to launch an innovative multimedia exhibition that combines artificial intelligence with traditional Korean heritage, offering visitors an immersive journey through Korea's rich cultural history. The exhibition, titled 'Endless Bonds: AI and Korean Heritage,' will run from July 17 through August 22, 2025, at the center's London location.
Developed in partnership with the National Museum of Korea, this groundbreaking showcase marks the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation and explores the fascinating intersection between Korea's historical legacy and its cutting-edge technological innovations. The exhibition aims to make Korean cultural heritage accessible to visitors of all ages through the universal language of digital visuals, creating new pathways for people to connect with Korean art, history, and identity.
The centerpiece of the exhibition is 'Royal Procession with the People,' a stunning digital recreation of King Jeongjo's historic 1795 journey to his father's tomb in Hwaseong. This celebrated documentary painting has been transformed into a dynamic experience featuring 3D character animation and motion-captured performances of traditional court dances, executed by contemporary masters of Korea's intangible cultural heritage. The digital presentation follows the complete royal procession from its early morning departure at Changdeokgung Palace through to the evening fireworks in Hwaseong, illustrating King Jeongjo's compassionate leadership and his strong bond with the Korean people.
Another highlight of the showcase is 'Climbing Mt. Geumgang,' which presents visitors with a dynamic digital collage inspired by traditional Korean landscape paintings, including works such as Jeong Seon's 'Album of Mt. Geumgang in the Sinmyo Year.' This immersive experience allows visitors to explore the breathtaking beauty of Korea's most sacred mountain through cutting-edge digital technology.
The exhibition also features digitally presented treasures from the National Museum of Korea's extensive collection, as well as Korean artifacts housed in prestigious UK institutions including the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum. These presentations offer visitors deeper insights into historical objects while demonstrating the interpretive capabilities of AI technology.
One of the most innovative aspects of the exhibition is its AI-powered guided narratives, developed through collaboration with art historians. These interactive experiences provide in-depth appreciation of Korean artifacts, including the famous Gold Crown from the Geumgwanchong Tomb. The AI guides draw thoughtful comparisons between Korean cultural traditions and British royal customs and landscape aesthetics, fostering enhanced cross-cultural understanding and dialogue.
In a rare opportunity for UK audiences, the exhibition includes digitally rendered manuscripts and archival materials that are seldom displayed publicly, such as the Jade Stream Club (Okkyesa) collection from the British Library. These items offer visitors access to hidden treasures of Korean intellectual history and scholarly tradition.
By connecting historical objects, significant sites, and the people who created and preserved them, 'Endless Bonds' provides a fresh perspective on Korean heritage while highlighting the nation's enduring cultural creativity and innovation. The exhibition successfully bridges past and present, inviting all visitors to discover Korea's timeless stories through forward-looking digital creativity.
Seunghye Sun, Director of the Korean Cultural Centre UK, expressed her enthusiasm for the project, stating, 'We are honored to present the future of AI through the fusion of cutting-edge technology and Korean cultural heritage in this exhibition. Celebrating the APEC 2025 Korea Summit, we sought to introduce a new experience through the AI dialogue with the main Buddha statue in Seokguram, explaining the golden crown from Gyeongju - the APEC host city.'
Sun added, 'It is also meaningful to introduce the National Museum of Korea's immersive content, Royal Procession with the People and Climbing Mt. Geumgang for the first time in the UK. Through digital technology, we will strive to convey the essence of Korean culture to global citizens.'
The Korean Cultural Centre UK, operating under the aegis of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the United Kingdom, works to enhance friendship and understanding between Korea and the UK through cultural and educational activities. From its central London location near Trafalgar Square, the center's dedicated team focuses on expanding cultural projects, strengthening cooperation with major arts organizations and partners, and encouraging cultural exchange.
The National Museum of Korea, as the leading institution for Korean history and art, preserves and promotes over 5,000 years of cultural heritage through its extensive collection of more than 440,000 objects. As a global hub for Korean culture, the museum produces innovative digital content that enhances Korea's soft power and cultural influence worldwide. Since 2021, its Public Engagement Immersive Content Support Project has reimagined traditional culture through future-facing experiences, supporting 28 institutions in 2024, including the Korea House at the Paris Olympics, thereby broadening the global impact of Hallyu (Korean Wave).
The exhibition will be held at the Korean Cultural Centre UK, located at Grand Buildings, 13 Strand, London WC2N 5BW, with entrance on Northumberland Avenue. The center is open Monday through Friday from 10am to 5:30pm, and admission to the exhibition is free. For additional press information and images about the exhibition, interested parties can contact Jaemin Cha, Curator of the Korean Cultural Centre UK, at jaemin.cha@kccuk.org.uk. More information is available on the center's website at kccuk.org.uk, and updates can be found on their social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) under the handle KCCUK.
