What Do Mr Squiggle and Korean Culture Have in Common? Creativity, Pop Power – and a Touch of Whimsy

What could a moon-dwelling pencil-nosed puppet from Australia possibly have in common with the glittering stars of K-pop and K-drama? Surprisingly, quite a bit – and the National Museum of Australia is putting them both centre stage in its dynamic new 2025 exhibition program.

In a delightfully unexpected cultural pairing, Mr Squiggle and Friends: The Creative World of Norman Hetherington and Hallyu! The Korean Wave are coming to Canberra – offering a journey from nostalgic Aussie TV magic to the global pop phenomenon of South Korea’s cultural boom.

For women who love tech, culture, and design, these exhibitions are more than just a stroll through memory lane or a K-pop fan fest. They represent the power of creativity in media – from low-tech puppetry that sparked generations of artistic expression, to high-tech global entertainment that redefined pop culture as we know it.

Mr Squiggle: The Original Creative Influencer

Launching in winter 2025, Mr Squiggle and Friends celebrates the iconic Australian children’s TV show that ran for four decades, inspiring kids to turn random squiggles into imaginative masterpieces. Created by the multi-talented Norman Hetherington, Mr Squiggle was more than just a puppet – he was a symbol of hands-on creativity, whimsy, and storytelling.

Long before tablets and apps, Mr Squiggle encouraged children to create with what they had: a pencil, paper, and imagination. In today’s fast-paced digital world, his legacy reminds us of the value of slow creativity and the joyful chaos of drawing outside the lines.

The exhibition will feature original puppets, props, scripts, and artwork from the beloved ABC show, celebrating Hetherington’s genius and impact on Australian cultural history. It’s a rare chance to reconnect with a homegrown icon and introduce a new generation to the magic of analog artistry.

“We can’t wait to share this exhibition with parents and grandparents who grew up with Mr Squiggle and allow them to reconnect with their childhoods, and to bring along the next generation to experience Norman Hetherington’s particular whimsy, humour and magic,” said National Museum director Katherine McMahon.

“The show celebrates one of the most original and creative minds our country has produced,” said Katherine.

After finishing in Canberra, the key puppets in the show will tour nationally.

Hallyu! The Korean Wave: Where Culture Meets Technology

Then, from December 2025, the Museum flips the script with Hallyu! The Korean Wave – a dazzling showcase of South Korea’s cultural explosion. From the Oscar-winning Parasite to the streaming dominance of Squid Game, to the digital virality of BTS and Blackpink, Hallyu is the story of how a once-war-torn nation harnessed the power of design.

“This is an exciting gear shift for the Museum, and we can’t wait to bring this amazing show from the acclaimed V&A to audiences across the country and to share the international phenomenon that is the contemporary Korean wave,” said Katherine, the National Museum director.

“The South Korean cultural juggernaut is one of the most influential movements of our time and has been embraced by audiences around the world. Strap yourselves in for a K-Museum takeover this summer, with a season of ‘Korean-cool’ exhibits, music, dance, food, film – and more!”

Check out more info here: https://www.nma.gov.au/