KOREA FOUNDATION

The KF ASEAN Culture House presents Alternative Identities: Masks of ASEAN & Korea, a collaborative exhibition prepared in conjunction with the UNESCO ICHCAP (International Information and Networking Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region under the auspices of UNESCO) under the Cultural Heritage Administration, established to protect intangible heritage in the Asia-Pacific region. The exhibition focuses on masked theater, one of the most notable intangible heritages of humanity. In December 2022, plans were made to commemorate Korea’s traditional masked dance performance, talchum, which was named a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage the month prior.

This exhibition provides an interesting reflection on the different functions of masks. Medical masks have become a staple product for more than three years since the outbreak of COVID-19, and are now commonly worn even after the mandatory directive for indoor masking has been lifted. On the other hand, decorative masks serve various purposes, such as hiding oneself and mimicking other beings. The exhibition highlights these two different types of masks.
In hunter-gatherer societies from the distant past, masks imitating animals were used for hunting, or rituals that wished for an abundant harvest. Also, exaggerated expressions and costumes have been used to represent the voices of the public who exposed and satirized social injustice and corruption, as shown in the performances of talchum in Korea, and hát bội or tuồng in Viet Nam. In this way, masks have fulfilled everyday needs by allowing people to be someone else, or have served as a weapon against oppression and injustice for the weak.
Additionally, Thailand’s khon and Cambodia’s lakhon khol, which were listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritages in 2018, are comprehensive arts that dramatize the ancient epic story the Ramayana, and encapsulate the distinctive artistry of many ASEAN countries. Masked performers portray sacredness as they act out mystical beings in the narrative.
With the popularization of the gaming industry, and more recently the metaverse, secondary identities in the form of virtual avatars have become a more significant part of everyday life. This phenomenon has brought our attention back to the function of masks as tools that allow us to become different characters. As shown at the MassKara Festival in the Philippines, masks are not just about acting out other beings, but are also an artistic way of expressing one’s imagination and personality. By wearing colorful masks decorated with stylish props, people participating in the parade can show off their hidden sides that they can’t usually display in everyday life.


This exhibition features over a hundred masks, attires, and props used in various forms of masked theater from the ten ASEAN member states and Korea. Through various photos and videos, the origins of masks and the similarities and differences between Korean and ASEAN masks will be show cased. Please come to experience the delight of encountering alternative identities as you enjoy the expressive and colorful masks from Korea and ASEAN.