BOSTON (March 15, 2024)—On March 22, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA), celebrates the new exhibition Hallyu! The Korean Wave with an after-hours event featuring performances by Seoul-based acts Ailee, 1MILLION Dance Studio and HYPNOSIS THERAPY presented by CJ ENM. MFA Late Nites—a popular series that began in 2017—runs from 8 pm to 1 am, welcoming thousands of visitors to explore the Museum while enjoying a variety of activities. Event-goers will be among the first to experience Hallyu! The Korean Wave before the exhibition officially opens to the public on March 24.

Making its U.S. debut at the MFA, Hallyu! is the first major exhibition to explore the origins, evolution and incredible worldwide impact of South Korean pop culture. Taking inspiration from the exhibition, MFA Late Nites programming will immerse visitors in the sights and sounds of the Korean Wave.

Korean American singer-songwriter and actress Ailee’s big break came with her participation in the Korean television show Singer and Trainee, where her performances laid the groundwork for a successful K-pop career. She is known for her powerful vocals and chart-topping songs including “I Will Go to You Like the First Snow,” which was featured on CJ ENM’s drama Guardian: The Lonely and Great God and became the most streamed song in K-pop history and longest-running top song on Korea’s music charts for month.

1MILLION Dance Studio originally started in a basement in 2014 and has since grown in both size and cultural significance, welcoming students from all over the world, establishing itself as one of Korea’s most-prized dance agencies and representing some of the top dancers and choreographers in Asia and around the globe. Gaining global recognition as part of CJ ENM’s dance competition series Street Woman Fighter2, 1MILLION’s dancers have choreographed routines for superstars and appeared in numerous music videos, concerts and television shows. The studio’s frequently updated YouTube channels has over 25 million subscribers worldwide.

HYPNOSIS THERAPY are a Seoul based electronic-hip hop duo made up of rapper/producer JJANGYOU and producer Jflow. JJANGYOU first gained international notoriety as a semifinalist in Korean rap survival program Show Me The Money, having been a key player locally in the Korean hip-hop scene since the late 2010s. Earlier in 2023, he performed an arena show in Paris last year alongside a lineup of K-pop stars such as CL & Chunga, and recently returned from Kid Milli's Europe tour. Since his debut, he has always been known for his stage presence and energy. Jflow himself is a seasoned young vet in the Korean music scene, having been a part of award winning group Wavisabiroom while producing for a flurry of K-pop artists. HYPNOSIS THERAPY released their debut self titled album in 2022 to praise from the likes of Vogue, Hypebeast and Mix Mag. The accompanying remix EP also featured producers such as FRNK (NewJeans) and Maalib (Woo Won Jae). They have just released their sophomore album ‘PSILOCYBIN’ with features from Jvcki Wai, Imugi 이무기, Grove + more.

In addition to Ailee, 1MILLION Dance Studio and HYPNOSIS THERAPY, guests can enjoy performances by local dance crews OFFBRND and Hush Crew as well as a K-pop set by New York-based DJ Peach.

Tickets for MFA Late Nites are available in advance—$15 for members and $20 for nonmembers—and at the door for $25. Food and drink will be available for purchase.

Interactive activities throughout the evening include art making, a karaoke lounge hosted by DJ Dayglow and a K-pop fan area in 465 Bar and Restaurant hosted by @kpop_in_mass, where guests can create friendship bracelets inspired by their favorite group, trade photo cards, pick up a Hallyu!-branded cup sleeve and participate in a random play dance hosted by Jamie Wong, one of the founders of Boston-based K-pop dance crew Kosmic. Visitors can also learn more about the MFA’s collection of Korean art—one of the largest and most comprehensive in the country—during Spotlight Talks led by Korea Foundation interns Malgeum Kim and Yeonji Song.

About the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

The MFA brings many worlds together through art. Showcasing masterpieces from ancient to modern, our renowned collection of nearly 500,000 works tells a multifaceted story of the human experience—a story that holds unique meaning for everyone. From Boston locals to international travelers, visitors from all over come to experience the MFA—where they reveal connections, explore differences and create a community where all belong.

Open six days a week, the MFA’s hours are Saturday through Monday, 10 am–5 pm; Wednesday, 10 am–5 pm; and Thursday–Friday, 10 am–10 pm. Plan your visit at mfa.org.