Following successful exhibitions in Washington D.C. and Chicago, it marks the European stop of the collection’s international tour. It is also the first major special presentation of Korean art at the British Museum in more than 40 years. The exhibition runs from Oct. 1, 2026 to Jan. 31, 2027, and is being held at the Joseph Hotung Great Court Gallery.

“Korea,” spanning over two millennia, connect the history of Korean art in a unified narrative to reveal how Korea’s unique aesthetic values and artistic achievements have continued to be built upon and reinterpreted over many generations.

The exhibition, drawn from over 23,000 artworks from the National Bequest of the Lee Kun-Hee Collection in 2021, is organised by the British Museum, the National Museum of Korea, and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea.

At the gala, Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Jay Y. Lee reflected on the Lee family’s multigenerational commitment to preserving Korea’s cultural heritage and sharing it with audiences around the world. Members of the family, including Hong Ra-Hee, Director Emerita of the Leeum Museum of Art, Lee Boo-jin, President & CEO of Hotel Shilla, and Lee Seo-hyun, President of Samsung C&T, also attended the event.

“For generations, my family has held a guiding principle that art and culture should be preserved and shared,” Executive Chairman Lee said. “I hope this exhibition offers a gateway into Korean culture, spanning two thousand years of creativity and heritage, and that it will let everyone see Korea a little differently — for its beauty, its depth and its resilience.”

At the reception held before the gala dinner, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal graced the opening of the exhibition.

Among the 240 guests were the Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey MP, Minister for Artificial Intelligence Kanishka Narayan MP, former Deputy Prime Minister Sir Oliver Dowden, former Trade Minister Sir Greg Hands, former Culture Secretary Sir John Whittingdale, Trade Envoy to the Republic of Korea John Slinger, Leader of the Liberal Democrats and Chair of the Republic of Korea All-Party Parliamentary Group Sir Ed Davey, and Dr. Ben Spencer, Vice Chair of the Republic of Korea All-Party Parliamentary Group.

George Osborne, Chair of the British Museum, said, “We are thrilled here at the British Museum to be hosting this incredible exhibition. The Lee family’s contribution to our shared cultural heritage helps us understand and interpret the past, so that we may understand the future.”

Maurice Lévy, Chairman Emeritus of Publicis Groupe, said that the exhibition is “not simply about objects from witnesses of a great past of Korea. They are evidence of a culture that has always valued craftsmanship, imagination, discipline, and excellence. Sharing those treasures with the world speaks volume about the values and the generosity of the Lee family. They understood, generation after generation, that looking forward does not mean forgetting where you come from.”

Kanishka Narayan, Minister for Artificial Intelligence, said, “The UK and Korea work closely on technology and innovation, but there is so much more to our relationship. Korea’s art and culture are admired around the world, and this exhibition gives people in Britain a chance to explore its extraordinary artistic heritage. I’m grateful to Samsung for bringing this remarkable collection to London and sharing it with audiences here.”

Kim Heung-chong, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the U.K., commented that “it is particularly meaningful for the British Museum to open this exhibition of artworks showcasing two thousand years of Korean history, at a time when K-culture is enjoying global recognition,” and thanked Executive Chairman Lee for making the exhibition possible.

Business leaders attending the gala included those from BT Group, Vodafone, Sainsbury’s, and Standard Chartered. From academia, representatives from the University of Oxford and Imperial College London were in attendance, while the cultural sector was represented by the British Museum, Tate Modern, the V&A, and Lisson Gallery, alongside contemporary artist Marc Quinn.

Samsung’s business partners from the semiconductor industry, including Christophe Fouquet, CEO of ASML, Kai Beckmann, CEO of Merck, Andreas Pecher, CEO of ZEISS, and Patrick Vandenameele, CEO of imec, were among other notable attendees.

Chairman Lee Expresses Gratitude to Korean War Veterans

During his remarks, Executive Chairman Lee took a special moment to honor the three Korean War veterans in attendance, including Mike Roe. He also thanked The Princess Royal, recognising her visit to Korea in July 2026 during which she honored the veterans. Reflecting on more than 140 years of ties between Korea and the U.K., he highlighted Samsung’s 80-year business relationship with the country and emphasised that the U.K. has served as the hub for its European operations for over five decades.

The London exhibition features 100 masterpieces, including 10 National Treasures and 13 Treasures of Korea, with more than twenty pieces being revealed for the first time internationally.

Among the newly presented works are the National Treasures “Bronze Artifacts from Bisan-dong, Daegu” and “Bronze Rattles,” as well as “Celadon Incense Burner with Girin-shaped Lid.” Among the modern and contemporary works, Nam June Paik’s “Brahms,” Lee Jungseop’s “Bound People,” and Park Rehyun’s “Woman” will also be shown for the first time.

The Lee family’s commitment to preserving and sharing Korea’s culture spans three generations. It began with Samsung founder Lee Byung-Chull, who built the foundation of the collection and believed that cultural heritage should be passed on to future generations.

His son, the late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-Hee carried this legacy forward, building and preserving the collection over decades. He viewed cultural heritage not simply as something to be owned, but as something to be protected and preserved. Director Emerita Hong Ra-Hee also played a crucial role in expanding and developing the collection to encompass both ancient and modern works.

The Lee Kun-Hee Collection, now a national cultural asset, is reaching audiences in major cities around the world from Washington D.C. to Chicago to London, enabling them to experience and appreciate the value and historical significance of Korean culture, thereby elevating Korea’s global standing.

The collection’s global tour began in November 2025 at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art in Washington D.C., attracting about 80,000 visitors to become the museum’s largest special exhibition in the past 10 years. The collection then traveled to the Art Institute of Chicago, where it drew approximately 115,000 visitors, highlighting the strong interest in the rich history of Korean arts and culture.

Samsung remains committed to introducing Korean cultural heritage to the world while continuing to expand its global business network to support future growth and innovation.

Samsung Electronics, in partnership with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art, hosted a gala event on Jan. 28 at the Arts and Industries Building in Washington D.C. to commemorate the success of the “Korean Treasures: Collected, Cherished, Shared” exhibition, the first U.S. showcase of masterpieces from the late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee’s renowned art collection.

The exhibition, which opened to the public on November 15 and will run through February 1, is expected to draw over 65,000 visitors, a significant milestone comparable to the attendance for other major international exhibits at the National Museum of Asian Art, underscoring the profound interest in Korea’s rich artistic heritage.

Curated from the personal collection of over 23,000 pieces amassed by the late Chairman of Samsung, Lee Kun-hee, the exhibition was organized by the National Museum of Asian Art, the National Museum of Korea and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea.

At the gala, Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Jay Y. Lee thanked the organizers and recognized the importance of Washington D.C. as the first stop of the exhibit’s global tour. He also took a special moment to honor American veterans of the Korean War, attributing Korea’s modern success and its ability to preserve its heritage to their sacrifice more than seven decades ago.

“Memory and history are important to Koreans. That is part of why this exhibit means so much to me,” Executive Chairman Lee said. “Despite the hardships of colonial rule and the Korean War, my father and grandfather believed it was their duty to safeguard the future of our culture. It was a tremendous honor to share this collection with you. I believe it’s our small contribution to bringing the American and Korean people closer together.”

Members of the Lee family, including Hong Ra-hee, Director Emerita of the Leeum Museum of Art, Lee Boo-jin, President & CEO of Hotel Shilla, Lee Seo-hyun, President of Samsung C&T and Kim Jae Youl, President of Samsung Global Research, were in attendance.

Among the 250 guests were Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Senator Tim Scott, Senator Ted Cruz, Senator Andy Kim, Governor Wes Moore and Ambassador Kang Kyung-wha.

Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) highlighted that “this art exhibit is a powerful reminder that the enduring U.S.–Republic of Korea alliance is built not only on economic ties, but through the stories and shared values that connect us, Samsung’s investment in America represents confidence in our workers and a commitment to advancing opportunity and prosperity for both nations.”

Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) said “I am honored to attend and deliver remarks at the Samsung Gala in recognition of Korea’s great cultural heritage. Texas’s partnership with Samsung has been critical to strengthening America’s leadership in technology and semiconductors and creating tens of thousands of high-quality jobs for Texas workers that fuel long-term economic growth.”

Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) also commented that “the connections between the United States and Korea run deep, and they’ll continue to grow stronger thanks to collaboration with and investment from companies like Samsung. As the first Korean American to serve in the U.S. Senate, I’m excited that my two boys can see this incredible exhibit of Korean heritage, and for Americans from across the country to visit the collection that the Lee family has brought here.”

Prominent business leaders in attendance included Wendell Weeks, Corning Chairman & CEO, Benedetto Vigna, Ferrari CEO, Euisun Chung, Executive Chair of Hyundai Motor Group and Jerry Yang, Founding Partner, AME Cloud Ventures; Co-Founder, Yahoo!

Chairman Weeks said at the event that “building on five decades of partnership, Samsung and Corning have pushed the boundaries of what’s possible. The Lee family’s contributions extend far beyond Samsung and Korea. Their visionary leadership has shaped industries, transformed lives and built enduring bridges between nations and generations. This exhibition embodies the passion for creation of the Lee family, which for generations has made a positive impact on the entire globe.”

Other notable attendees included Kim Youngna, former Director of the National Museum of Korea, Chase Robinson, Director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art and Korean War veterans, including Rudy B. Meekins Senior.

Buddhist Statues and Ceramics From the Joseon Dynasty Highlight Hand-Picked Exhibit

As attendees made a tour of the exhibition during the gala, they were introduced to a story of creativity and innovation that has shaped Korean culture for centuries, represented by artworks that span across sculptures, furnishings, ceramics as well as traditional and modern paintings.

Among the more than 200 pieces featured in the exhibit were Faceted Bottle with Bamboo, The Lotus Sutra and Bodhisattva Triad with a Single Halo – all National Treasures of Korea. One of the most popular pieces on display was the 19th-century Drum Stand for its resemblance to the character “Derpy” from the animated film KPop Demon Hunters. Another standout was the Sun, Moon and Five Peaks, a 19th-century royal court painting symbolizing the Joseon monarchy. The exhibition was comprised of 10 sub-themes, such as the historical evolution of ceramics from the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties as well as inspiring Buddhist artwork, encompassing over 1,500 years of Korean history.

This was the largest special exhibition of Korean art held at the National Museum of Asian Art, with the number of daily visitors almost double that of similar-sized exhibitions at the Smithsonian. Souvenirs that depicted the Moon Jar and lighting products featuring imagery from Clearing after Rain on Mount Inwang were among the items that sold out early, according to the National Museum of Asian Art.

Collection’s Global Tour Continues to Chicago and London

This exhibition was made possible by a grant awarded through the National Museum of Korea’s Overseas Korean Galleries Support Program, and curators from both the National Museum of Korea and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea, participated in the curation of the exhibit and compilation of the exhibition catalogue.

Following the conclusion of the exhibition at the National Museum of Asian Art, the collection will travel to the Art Institute of Chicago to be on display from March through July and then to the British Museum in London for a special exhibit from September through January 2027. This global tour will offer residents and visitors a rare opportunity to experience Korean cultural heritage through artworks spanning centuries and reflecting Korea’s unique history.

Samsung Electronics and the National Museum of Korea today announced that they have made 20 carefully selected works from the late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-Hee’s renowned art collection available on Samsung Art Store. A larger selection of the collection’s original pieces is currently on display at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, D.C.

High-resolution digital versions of the selected works — representative masterpieces of Korean art — can be viewed on Samsung Art Store’s National Museum of Korea page. Through this initiative, Samsung and the National Museum of Korea aim to introduce the richness and excellence of traditional Korean art to Samsung consumers worldwide.

Samsung TVs Offer a Korean Art Masterpiece Experience in High-Resolution

The 20 artworks selected from the Lee Kun-Hee Collection are now viewable in stunning 4K resolution on Samsung TVs, offering users a vivid digital encounter with the masterpieces. A few featured works worth highlighting in Samsung Art Store include:

• “Clearing After Rain on Mount Inwang” (National Treasure No. 216) – A representative example of true-view landscape painting
• “Ten Symbols of Longevity” – A piece that symbolizes wishes for health and long life
• “Sound of Autumn” – An autumnal-themed piece by Kim Hongdo, a leading painter of the Joseon Dynasty
• “Sun, Moon, and Five Peaks” – A royal court painting symbolizing the Joseon monarchy

Additional works include “Banquet of King Yeongjo and Officials in Gyeonghyeondang Hall,” “Butterflies,” “Five Emperors of the Five Cardinal Directions,” “Four Underworld Messengers,” “The Flower Garland Sutra (Avatamsaka Sutra), Vol. 15,” “Scholar’s Accoutrements in a Bookcase,” “Gathering of Families with Multiple Generations of Government Service,” “Gudambong Peaks,” “Panels of a Man’s Ideal Life,” “Royal Banquet in the Imjin Year,” “Sea, Cranes, and Sacred Peaches,” “Tripitaka Bodhisattvas,” “Viewing the Capital From the Seobinggo Icehouse,” “The King Views the Dredging,” “Tiger and Magpie” and “Wrestling in the Afternoon,” all of which represent Korea’s artistic heritage.

Meanwhile, the National Museum of Korea is presenting the special exhibition “Korean Treasures: Collected, Cherished, Shared” at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art. The exhibition showcases carefully selected works from the late Chairman Lee’s donated collection that embody the essence of Korean art.

The exhibition features more than 200 works including seven National Treasures, spanning 1,500 years of Korean creativity. Notably, it is the largest special exhibition of Korean art held in North America in over 40 years, drawing significant attention across Washington, as well as other regions of the United States.

The National Museum of Korea plans to continue the international tour of the Lee Kun-Hee Collection with exhibitions at:

• The Art Institute of Chicago (March–July 2026)
• The British Museum (Sept. 2026–Jan. 2027)

The 20 works released on Samsung Art Store will remain available for public viewing until January 2027, when the international touring exhibitions conclude.

The Lee Family Continues the Late Chairman’s Legacy Through Cultural Contributions

“Even if collecting and preserving cultural heritage requires tremendous cost and time, I believe it is our duty to safeguard the future of our culture,” the late Chairman Lee once stated, demonstrating his devotion to cultural preservation.

Inheriting this philosophy of cultural contribution, Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Jay Y. Lee and other members of the Lee family donated more than 23,000 artworks from the late Chairman’s lifelong personal collection in April 2021 to institutions such as the National Museum of Korea and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art.

Since then, the Lee Kun-Hee Collection has toured museums around Korea, sparking widespread public interest in historical Korean art. It has been widely credited with expanding public access to culture and elevating the stature of Korea’s museums. Now, it is reaching global audiences through digital and physical exhibitions.

Samsung Art Store: High-Resolution Access to Collections From World-Class Museums

Available to users of Samsung’s The Frame, The Frame Pro and QLED models, Samsung Art Store is a subscription-based art service exclusively for Samsung TVs. More than 4,000 artworks in 4K resolution from over 50 renowned museums — including the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Art Institute of Chicago and Tate — as well as works by hundreds of artists worldwide, are available on Samsung Art Store. The service offers Samsung TV users in 117 countries a gallery-like viewing experience at home. Since 2024, Samsung has also served as the official display partner of Art Basel, the world’s largest art fair, showcasing works by contemporary artists featured at Art Basel through Samsung Art Store.