ASIA POP

In the organizer's words:

Comics, film, food and much more - East Asian pop culture has had a decisive influence on the global mainstream. With ASIA POP , the NRW-Forum is presenting the first comprehensive exhibition in Germany dedicated to this development and its cultural-political, economic and aesthetic influences. From kawaii characters such as Hello Kitty to animated films by Studio Ghibli, K-pop bands such as BTS and games such as Black Myth Wukong: ASIA POP brings the diversity of popular culture from East Asia to life. In Düsseldorf, the city with the largest East Asian population in Germany, the NRW-Forum is creating a visual, aural and culinary panorama of East Asian pop culture on 1200 square meters and with around 400 works.

The presentation focuses on China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. They all use popular culture in different ways as so-called soft power. The export of cultural products opens up economic and political influence on an international level. The show sheds light on these strategies and asks how authenticity, identity and appropriation are negotiated in this context. The exhibition is thematically structured according to the various areas of life, such as beauty, fashion, film and television, games and music, in which the manifestations of Asia Pop can be seen.

One focus of the project is fan culture, because East Asian pop culture is inconceivable without fandom. What do fans find fascinating and collect, how do they behave towards their idols, and what impact does fandom have on the economy and politics?

Random play dance, selfie stations and slot machines: The various chapters of the exhibition use interactive elements to invite visitors to engage with the trends, question them critically and share their own fan experiences.

Price information:

regular: 9,50 Euro | reduced: 6,50 Euro