Comics, film, food and much more – East Asian pop culture is having 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 Studio Ghibli animated films, K-pop bands such as BTS and games such as Black Myth Wukong: ASIA POP brings the diversity of East Asian popular culture to life. In Düsseldorf, the city with the largest East Asian population in Germany, the NRW-Forum presents a visual, auditory and culinary panorama of East Asian pop culture across 1,200 square metres, featuring around 400 works.
The exhibition focuses on China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. All of these countries utilise popular culture in different ways as so-called ‘soft power’. Through the export of cultural products, they gain economic and political influence on an international level. The exhibition examines these strategies and explores how authenticity, identity and appropriation are negotiated in this context. The exhibition is organised thematically around various areas of life – such as beauty, fashion, film and television, games and music – in which the various manifestations of Asia Pop are evident.
Random Play Dance, selfie stations and arcade machines: the various sections of the exhibition feature interactive elements that invite visitors to engage with the trends, examine them critically and share their own experiences as fans. (Source: NRW-Forum)
Exhibition dates: 18 September 2026 to 23 May 2027
