2025 was a year of expanding offline content like never before. From pop-ups that made a short-lived impression to exhibitions that went deeper into a brand’s philosophy. from gaming, F&B, subcultures, and more, we saw initiatives aimed at ‘pointy-headed fandom’. our editors visit the pop-ups and exhibitions of the year todocument the moments we’d like to relive.

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pop-ups that highlighted ‘pointed fandom’

gimbapdaejang Gwangjang Market pop-up: the pinnacle of food pop-ups

kwangjangMarket was a mecca for food pop-ups this year, with Gimbapdaejang’s Gimbap Pop-upsetting a record for the fastest wait time in history, with a wait that ended just eight minutes after opening. Curator Jung Da-hyun, who visited over 700 gimbap restaurants across the country, proved that the local gimbap recipe was a hit even with a single menu item: gimbap.

the holy water of Crafton Pubge: game to reality

remodeled from a former leather factory in Seongsu-dong, PUBG Seongsuis a permanent space inspired by the first map of PUBG, Erangel. with an entrance that resembles a transport ship from the game and a ‘play arena’ that allows squad play, it provided gamers with a unique immersive experience that is hard to find in Seongsu-dong.

nike Lab Seoul: Connecting the past with the future

held during Seoul Art Week, NikeLab Seoul’s “Recorded Future”brought together Nike’s heritage and future visions with hip artists. From the Air Max 95 to the futuristic Ava Rover, the brand’s archives were brought to life in an emotionally charged exhibition that made a lasting impression in its short run.

exhibitions to revisit

picnic: The Autobiography of Hilton Seoul: The Aesthetics of Disappearance

the only exhibition we revisited this year , Autobiography of Hillton Seoulchronicled the life of a building before it was demolished. The project’s exploration of the memories and meanings that remain after a building is gone made us rethink the value of space in a rapidly changing city.

ron Muyck, National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art: Realist sculpture at its best

one of the most talked-about exhibitions of the first half of the year, <Lon Muyck> overwhelmed visitors with its enormous scale and hyper-realist expression. In particular, the audio guide by novelist Kim Young-ha was praised for its carefully designed ‘listening experience’, extending the visual impact to literary appreciation.

lines of EVANGELION: A subcultural frenzy

a favorite of Korean subculture fandom , “Evangelion Exhibition: Lines” celebrated the 30th anniversary of TVA’s airing of the anime by unveiling more than 100 conti and original artworks for the first time in Korea. The exhibition‘s focus on the “lines” that began the series, as well as a variety of merchandise and photo zones, created an unforgettable experience for fans.

museum Mountain ‘GROUND’: a space to awaken the inner self

unveiled in conjunction with Anthony Gormley’s solo exhibition, Museum San’s new space, GROUND, awakened a sense of presence with its dome-shaped skylight and overwhelming scale. The experience of interacting with the artwork, space, and nature went beyond mere viewing to convey an inner resonance.