KOREA FOUNDATION

The special exhibition “Playful ASEAN”, which opens around the time of the first anniversary of the ASEAN Culture House, showcases the nori of ASEAN. Nori (놀이, an activity taken part by two or more people for their amusement) is the most primitive and common act that demonstrates the human race’s basic desire to seek amusement while embodying the most natural and fundamental aspects of life.

This exhibition focuses on the cultural aspects of nori that exist ubiquitously regardless of ethnicity, nation, and region and are mostly developed and maintained in close relation with social-cultural elements. It also highlights the cultural similarities and universality, as well as the individual characteristics of the geographic neighbors of ASEAN, by introducing the actions and tools of ASEAN nori, and delving into the everyday stories behind them.

The exhibition comes to a close with an area dedicated to hands-on experience with the foreign yet familiar customs. Here viewers can experience the distinctly ASEAN culture and history that are layered little by little onto their nori.