Samsung has helped bring an important Korean art exhibition to the US. The family of the late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-Hee donated his huge art collection to Korea in 2021. This generous gift made it possible for many of these treasures to be shared with people around the world.

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art is now showing “Korean Treasures: Collected, Cherished, Shared.” It is the first large US exhibition of artworks from the Lee Kun-Hee Collection. The show is open through February 1, 2026.

Lee Kun-Hee spent more than 70 years collecting art. His collection includes over 23,000 pieces to make it one of the biggest and most important in Korea. The museum chose more than 200 artworks for this exhibition, which includes several National Treasures that are considered extremely valuable.

The exhibition is divided into 10 galleries and each focusing on a different aspect of Korean history and culture. Visitors can see the evolution of Korean art over 1,500 years, from ancient times to the present day.

Image via Samsung

One gallery features a sarangbang, a study used by scholars during the Joseon Dynasty. The exhibition hall contains simple wooden furniture, writing instruments, and books, differently illustrating the life and work of scholars.

There’s also a hall that focuses on court life, displaying palace paintings, exquisite ceramics, and objects used in important ceremonies. These exhibits showcase the luxury and splendor of Korean royal life.

A large part of the exhibition presents Buddhist art, which has played an important role in Korean culture. Visitors can see statues, religious objects, and bright altar paintings that were used in temples.

The exhibition also shows modern Korean artists who mix traditional styles with new ideas. Their works show how Korean art continued to grow and change in the modern era.

After Washington, the exhibition will travel to the Art Institute of Chicago in March 2026. A special book and an international symposium on Korean art will also be offered.

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