The 'Korean Treasures: Collected, Cherished, Shared' exhibition at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art in Washington D.C. concluded on February 1st after drawing an estimated 65,000 visitors. The show featured over 200 works from the vast personal art collection of the late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee and was celebrated with a gala event hosted by Samsung Electronics and the museum, attended by the Lee family, U.S. politicians, and business leaders.
The exhibition's historic attendance underscores a significant public and diplomatic interest in Korean cultural heritage, facilitated by a major corporate collection. It represents a high-profile act of cultural diplomacy, leveraging art to strengthen U.S.-Korea ties and highlight the role of private collectors and corporations in preserving and sharing national artistic legacy on a global stage.