The Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. (KCCDC) proudly presents Beyond the Scene, a special exhibition featuring hit Korean webtoons The Red Sleeve and Jeong-Nyeon that highlights the narrative and artistic prowess of this wildly popular scrolling digital medium that has been adapted to stage and screen.

Presented in partnership with the Korea Manhwa Contents Agency, known as KOMACON, and celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Korea-US Alliance in 2023, the exhibition run through October 25 in Washington, D.C. and launches with a public opening celebration on Saturday, September 30 including live traditional and K-Pop performances, cultural experiences, concert ticket and merchandise raffles, photo zones, arts and crafts, and remarks from the exhibition organizers (1:00 – 6:00 p.m.).

Beyond the Scene highlights the new perspectives of technology-based consumers and the traditional Korean culture brought to life through the unique medium of webtoons. Through lush print and digital displays in English, the exhibition showcases the rich narratives, visual elements, and diverse themes explored in today’s webtoons, which evolved out of traditional literature, history, and print comics.

In collaboration with the Cultural Heritage Administration and the city of Namwon, the exhibition provides an opportunity to see and experience the lavish hanbok and royal culture depicted in the webtoons. Additionally, visitors can enjoy the scenic views of Namwon's Gwanghallu Garden, a filming location for K-dramas.

This special exhibition is divided into three thematic sections: From History to Story: The Red Sleeve, With Memories and Records: Jeong-Nyeon, and Journey to K-Heritage, each with different stories and context to explore.

Premiered as a webtoon in 2021 and still in production today, The Red Sleeve (옷소매 붉은 끝동) became the basis for the hit 2022 K-drama of the same name. This period romance recounts the fictional relationships of King Jeongjo during Korea’s 18th century Joseon Dynasty. Jeong-Nyeon (정년이), published 2019-2022 and now slated for future stage musical and screen adaptations, focuses on the perspectives of women in the world of traditional theater during the post-Korean War era.

Both works are vivid representations of the creative prowess of K-webtoon creators and emphasize the importance of genuine human communication and understanding, analogous to the long-standing bond between South Korea and the United States.

Beyond the Scene will remain on view from September 30 through October 25, 2023, including the special opening celebration on Saturday, September 30, 1:00 – 6:00 p.m. (KCCDC regular walk-in hours: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., excluding 12 – 1 p.m., Monday – Friday). No RSVP is required for the opening celebration or during regular walk-in hours. 

Opening Celebration | September 30, 2023 | 1:00 – 6:00 p.m. | No RSVP required

1:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Exhibition viewing and webtoon photo zone

1:30 – 1:35 p.m. | Official opening remarks by KCCDC Director Junghoon Kim, KOMACON President Shin Jong-chul, and Otakorp President Brian Cutler

1:35 – 1:45 p.m. | Introduction to the exhibition

1:45 – 2:20 p.m. | Music performance by Washington Sorichung, Ji Seung Kim and K-Pop community dance group 4M3THYST & Konnect DMV

2:20 – 2:40 p.m. | Raffles (for concert tickets, cosmetics, merchandise, accessories)

2:40 – 5:30 p.m. | Activities: traditional Korean crafts and webtoon coloring/sketching

Exhibition Sections & Highlights

PART 1. From History to Story: The Red Sleeve

Experience the fictional romance of Korea’s 18th century King Jeongjo of the Joseon Dynasty, beautifully rendered in the webtoon format. A major hit both domestically and abroad, this story was adapted into a successful MBC TV drama in 2022. The Red Sleeve premiered as a webtoon in 2021 and still in production today.

PART 2. With Memories and Records: Jeong-Nyeon

This unique and compelling webtoon delves into the world of traditional Korean theater known as gukgeuk in the post-Korean War era. With a focus on female narratives, this story won the Gender Equality Cultural Content Award and is currently being adapted into musical and drama formats. Jeong-Nyeon was published as a webtoon 2019-2022.

PART 3. Journey to K-Heritage

With the cooperation of the Cultural Heritage Administration and the city of Namwon, visitors can also experience the scenic beauty of Namwon's Gwanghallu Garden, a filming location for K-dramas. The exhibition offers the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) as featured in the webtoons, and also provides a hands-on experience with the Hwahyeop Ongju Edition, a modern reinterpretation of cosmetics used by women in the royal court.

Immersive Cultural Experience

In addition to the displays and cultural experiences, the opening celebration of Beyond the Scene starts with a fusion of traditional Korean music performances and modern K-Pop community showcases. Visitors can try on traditional Korean hanbok attire, enter prize raffles, express their creativity though webtoon coloring and character sketching.

About Webtoons (K웹툰)

A digital evolution of Korean comics, webtoons have established Korea as a global leader in this creative domain. Originating in the late 1990s and popularized in the 2000s through major portal sites, the webtoon industry now boasts a whopping annual revenue of 1.5 trillion KRW ($1.1 billion). Its unique format of vertical scrolling offers readers an immersive and mobile-friendly experience. K-webtoons have expanded beyond the Korean audience, with their stories being adapted into various forms of media, including movies, dramas, and more on international OTT platforms.