๐ฏ From Picasso Tigers to K-Pop Demon Hunters Korea’s Timeless Love for Tigers https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/003/0013522866 If you’ve ever visited Korea, you’ve probably noticed that tigers ๐ show up everywhere — from old folk paintings to Olympic mascots, and now even Netflix animations. Tigers are more than just animals in Korea; they’re powerful cultural icons that have been loved for centuries. And guess what? Two major art museums in Korea — Leeum Museum of Art and Gana Art Center — are currently holding special exhibitions all about tigers! ๐จ๐ฏ If you’re a fan of history, art, or even K-pop, this is your perfect chance to see how Korea’s tiger has evolved through time. https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/003/0013522866 ๐ Why Tigers Are So Special in Korea In Korean culture, tigers aren’t just scary wild animals. They’re protectors, symbols of good fortune, and sometimes even clumsy, funny characters in folk tales. Long ago, Korean homes often had “Minhwa” (folk paintings) of tigers hanging on the walls. These weren’t meant to scare anyone. Instead, they were seen as guardians that chased away evil spirits. But here’s the fun part: many of these tiger paintings show the animal with goofy expressions, being teased by clever magpies ๐ฆ. These are called “Kkachi Horangi” (Magpie and Tiger paintings) — a perfect mix of humor and protection! https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/003/0013522866 ๐จ Leeum Museum’s “Tiger & Magpie” Exhibition At the Leeum Museum of Art in Seoul, you can now see one of the oldest known tiger-and-magpie paintings, created in 1592. That’s over 430 years ago! ๐ฒ This artwork is fascinating because it shows a tiger coming down from the mountain, birds reacting with surprise, and even a scene of the tiger with its cubs. Later versions of these paintings became much more playful. One 19th-century tiger painting is so abstract and bold that people call it the “Picasso Tiger” ๐๏ธ — and fun fact, it even inspired the design of “Hodori,” the beloved tiger mascot of the 1988 Seoul Olympics. ๐ https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/003/0013522866 ๐ผ๏ธ Gana Art Center’s “Tiger” Exhibition Meanwhile, over at the Gana Art Center in Seoul’s Pyeongchang-dong, there’s another incredible tiger exhibition. Here you can see tiger paintings from the 18th to 20th century. Highlights include: Dragon & Tiger paintings (Yongho-do) — showing tigers as strong companions to mythical dragons ๐ฒ. Tiger-skin patterned folding screens — detailed artworks showing how admired the tiger’s strength and beauty were. And of course, more Tiger & Magpie paintings, connecting directly to the same tradition that inspired Hodori and today’s pop culture tigers. https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/003/0013522866 ๐ฏ From Hodori to Netflix’s “Duffy & Suzy” If you’re wondering how tigers went from ancient paintings to modern pop icons, here’s the journey: Traditional Korea: Tigers as guardians in art & folk tales. 1988 Seoul Olympics: “Hodori” the tiger mascot charmed the world. 2018 PyeongChang Olympics: “Soohorang” the white tiger continued the tradition. 2025 Netflix Animation: K-Pop Demon Hunters (aka Kedeheon ์ผ๋ฐํ) introduces “Duffy” and “Suzy,” two tiger-inspired characters fighting demons with K-pop power! ๐ถ๐น This shows how Korea constantly reinvents its symbols — the tiger keeps being reborn in ways that match each generation’s culture. https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/003/0013522866 ๐ฎ Why You Should Go See These Exhibitions Whether you’re visiting Korea during Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving ๐) or just traveling for fun, checking out these tiger exhibitions is like walking through a living timeline of Korean culture. ๐ At Leeum Museum, you’ll experience the elegance and humor of early tiger paintings. ๐ At Gana Art Center, you’ll see how the tiger’s meaning shifted over centuries — from spiritual protector to cultural icon. And after that? Maybe head to Everland theme park, where there’s even a Kedeheon Tiger Zone for fans of the Netflix series. Perfect for families, friends, and anyone curious about how Korea blends tradition with pop culture. ๐ข๐ฏ โจ Final Thoughts Tigers in Korea aren’t just animals — they’re storytellers. From ancient brush paintings to animated Netflix heroes, they’ve always been there, watching over people, making us laugh, and symbolizing strength. So the next time you see a tiger in Korean art (or even on your K-pop merch!), remember: it’s not just a tiger. It’s a piece of history, culture, and creativity that has traveled through centuries. ๐ฏ๐ ๐ก Tip for travelers: Both museums are in Seoul, so you can visit them in a single trip. Don’t forget to grab some tiger-themed souvenirs too — they make perfect gifts! ๐ #KoreanTiger #TigerArt #LeeumMuseum #GanaArtCenter #Kedeheon #KpopDemonHunters #DuffyAndSuzy #PicassoTiger #KoreanCulture #KoreanArt #Minhwa #TigerAndMagpie #KkachiHorangi #Hodori #Soohorang #ChuseokVibes #SeoulArt #ArtExhibition #TigerSymbolism #KoreanTradition #NetflixKorea #KCulture #VisitSeoul #KoreanHeritage #TigerPainting #CulturalIcons #KoreanHistory #MuseumDay #KArt #ExploreKorea All rights reserved Stay14 Bespoke
