Seoul x Taipei' exhibition to feature K-pop stage props

An upcoming cultural exhibition titled 'Seoul x Taipei' is set to immerse visitors in the world of K-pop and Korean aesthetics. Titled 'Return to Reality: Why Do We Gather Again? AI Era, Why Do We Gather Again?', the event will take place from September 4 to 13 at the Taipei Pop Music Center Cultural Hall.

The exhibition is divided into nine distinct zones, offering a comprehensive look at the elements that constitute a K-pop performance. Visitors can expect to see iconic stage props actually used by artists such as XIA (Kim Junsu), Lee Hyori, BLACKPINK, and 2NE1. These include thrones, custom microphones, and other performance artifacts, presented at a closer viewing distance than ever before.

Beyond the tangible objects, the exhibition delves into the creative processes and visual design behind large-scale K-pop concerts. It explores how entertainment, design, and art are increasingly merging, with stage productions evolving into complex systems involving visuals, sound, lighting, and spatial design. The exhibition aims to dissect the 'Korean aesthetic' that has influenced global pop culture.

Curator Liu Jae-heon emphasizes that stages are more than just backdrops; they are integrated systems designed to create a complete sensory experience for the audience. A key highlight is the 'SOUNDSCAPE' exhibit, which uses 3D immersive sound and media art to trace the journey from natural sounds to the collective experience of large crowds, transforming the 'live' event itself into a medium.

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For curators who have long been involved in stage art and visual design, the stage has never just been 'making a beautiful background,' but rather placing images, sounds, lighting, space, and objects within the same system to establish the audience's complete viewing and feeling, demonstrating how the world-class stage performance is constructed to create a resonant five-sense feast for tens of thousands of people.