The National Museum of Korea was bathed in pink light on the evening of Feb. 26. The building and its surroundings, white during the day, transformed as the sun set.
As part of a global project, the museum collaborated with K-pop powerhouse BLACKPINK to illuminate its exterior walls in pink lighting. The project, titled "National Museum of Korea X BLACKPINK," officially launches at 2 p.m. on Feb. 27 to coincide with BLACKPINK's new album release, with a preview event held on Feb. 26. The project runs through March 8.
After sunset on Feb. 26, visitors had left and the museum interior was accessible again. Inside, brilliant pink lighting commanded attention just as it did outside. A long carpet bearing the words "BLACKPINK WILL MAKE YOU" stretched across the "Road of History" corridor on the first floor of the permanent exhibition hall.
In the middle of the corridor stands an LED pillar that normally displays a life-size replica of the Stele of King Gwanggaeto. This space hosted an advance listening event for BLACKPINK's new mini-album "DEADLINE," set for release on Feb. 27.
YG Entertainment, BLACKPINK's agency, partnered with the National Museum of Korea to hold an exclusive preview of BLACKPINK's new songs for press at 7 p.m. in the circular space along the "Road of History." As attendees took their seats, all five tracks from the new album played in sequence: "JUMP," pre-released in July last year, followed by title track "GO," and B-sides "Me and my," "Champion," and "Fxxxboy." The circular corridor walls transformed into massive screens, projecting dynamic visuals synchronized to the new songs.
Following the press event, a fan listening session for selected fans was held at 8 p.m. The National Museum of Korea announced it will operate a "Listening Zone" for the new album starting Feb. 27, though at a different location.
The four BLACKPINK members recorded audio docent guides for eight artifacts as part of this collaboration: the Ten-story Stone Pagoda from Gyeongcheonsa Temple, Gold Ornaments in the Shape of Bird Wings, Gilt-bronze Pensive Bodhisattva, Stone Standing Maitreya Bodhisattva from Gamsansa Temple, Gold Earrings from the Tomb of a Married Couple in Gyeongju, White Porcelain Moon Jar, Gilt-bronze Seated Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, and Bronze Kundika with Silver-inlaid Waterside Landscape Design. The audio guides are accessible via QR codes at each artifact.
Members Jisoo and Jennie recorded in Korean, Rosé in English, and Lisa in Thai. The Thai audio docent will be released in March.
The National Museum of Korea described the collaboration as a special event combining Korean cultural heritage with K-pop. Museum Director Yoo Hong-joon, who attended the event, said, "This collaboration is an attempt to interpret the cultural heritage the museum has preserved in today's language, so more people can naturally visit museums and experience culture." He added, "As an open museum that communicates with global citizens through culture across generations and borders, we will continue to expand the new possibilities of K-Museum through various collaborations."