K-Beauty at the Guimet Museum: A Major Exhibition on South Korea’s Beauty Secrets to Visit This Spring

Music, cinema and TV series, skincare: for several years now, South Korea has been making a name for itself, attracting many fans drawn to this East Asian culture. The country has become very famous thanks to a number of artists, but also through a special aesthetic and lifestyle.

In a pioneering exhibition running from March 18 to July 6, 2026, the Guimet Museum delves into Korean culture, with a special focus on beauty in South Korea. Through the K-Beauty showcase, visitors will explore the aesthetic standards, traditions, and beliefs that shape this distinct beauty culture.

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This exhibition takes us on a journey through centuries of Korean beauty standards, from the 18th century to today. A wide array of artworks and objects showcases how these aesthetic ideals have evolved alongside societal shifts over the years. Paintings, photographs, advertisements, dresses and beauty accessories, along with historical artifacts and pop culture icons — beauty has become both a commercial enterprise and a reflection of societal values.

The story of beauty has always gone hand in hand with the broader history of the nation. Popular ideologies, colonization, American cultural influence, and the integration into a globalized market — all these economic, political, and social factors help shape evolving beauty standards.

The Guimet Museum should be just as evocative of Korean K-pop idols and K-beauty influencers as it is of the beauty symbols from the Joseon Dynasty, which ruled from 1392 to 1910. It showcases centuries of fashion, technological innovation, culture, and exchanges, all viewed through the lens of beauty.

Historical objects, paintings, pop culture items, cosmetics, clothing and accessories: this exhibition on Korean beauty promises to be as rich as it is interesting. A fascinating way to learn more about a country, its history and its social codes! We can't wait to discover it.