Endless Bonds: AI and Korean Heritage
The Korean Cultural Centre UK is pleased to present Endless Bonds: AI and Korean Heritage, an immersive media showcase running from 17 July - 22 August 2025. In collaboration with the National Museum of Korea, this exhibition brings Korean cultural heritage to life through a series of cutting-edge digital experiences.
Marking the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation, Endless Bonds: AI and Korean Heritage explores the dialogue between Korea’s rich past and its technological future. Through the universal language of visuals, the showcase invites visitors of all ages to engage deeply with Korean art and artifacts - offering new ways to connect with heritage, history, and identity.
The journey begins with Royal Procession with the People, a vibrant digital recreation of King Jeongjo’s 1795 procession to his father’s tomb in Hwaseong. This celebrated documentary painting is brought to life with 3D character animation and motion-captured court dances, performed by contemporary masters of Korea’s intangible cultural heritage. From the early morning departure at Changdeokgung Palace to the evening fireworks in Hwaseong, the work portrays King Jeongjo’s benevolence and his deep connection with the people. The showcase continues into the world of traditional Korean landscape painting. Climbing Mt. Geumgang presents a dynamic digital collage inspired by artworks such as Jeong Seon’s Album of Mt. Geumgang in the Sinmyo Year, immersing visitors in the awe-inspiring beauty of Korea’s most sacred mountain.
In addition, Endless Bonds features digitally presented treasures from the National Museum of Korea’s collection and Korean collections from UK institutions such as the British Museum and V&A, offering a deeper understanding of historical objects while exploring the interpretive possibilities of AI technology. Visitors can gain a more in-depth appreciation of Korean artifacts, including the Gold Crown from the Geumgwanchong Tomb, through AI-powered guided narratives developed in dialogue with art historians. These interpretive experiences draw thoughtful comparisons with British royal traditions and landscape aesthetics, fostering a richer cross-cultural understanding.
In a rare opportunity, this exhibition also includes digitally rendered manuscripts and archives rarely seen in public, such as the Jade Stream Club (Okkyesa) from the British Library. These items allow UK audiences to encounter hidden gems of Korean intellectual history.
By connecting objects, sites, and people, Endless Bonds offers a fresh perspective on Korean heritage and highlights its enduring cultural ingenuity. Bridging the past and the present, this media showcase invites all visitors to discover Korea’s timeless stories through future-facing creativity.
Seunghye Sun, Director of KCCUK, said, “We are honoured 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.” She 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.”
For further press information and a selection of press images about the exhibition, please contact Jaemin Cha, Curator of the KCCUK on jaemin.cha@kccuk.org.uk
Press Kit
Exhibition Details
Title: Endless Bonds: AI and Korean Heritage
Dates: 17 July 2025 – 22 August 2025
Address: Korean Cultural Centre UK, Grand Buildings, 1–3 Strand, London, WC2N 5BW (Entrance on Northumberland Avenue)
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7004 2600
Website:https://kccuk.org.uk/en/
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday, 10am – 5.30pm, Free Admission