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The Presidential Couple Visits the Special Exhibition

On July 30, President Moon Jae-in and the first lady Kim Jung-sook visited the special exhibition The New National Treasures of Korea 2017–2019. Led by Kang Kyungnam, curator at the National Museum of Korea, the tour of this exhibition began with an introduction of documented heritage that have been newly designated to treasures and national treasures, including the History of the Three Kingdoms (Samguksagi; National Treasure No. 322-1) and the Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms (Samgungyusa; National Treasure No. 306-3). The guided tour also provided explanations on other important artifacts, such as Endless Mountains and Rivers (Treasure No. 2029) by Yi Inmun and The Rough Road to Shu (Treasure No. 1986) by Sim Sajeong. President Moon viewed each item with keen interest and posed various questions including “How would have artists like Kim Jeonghui appreciated this work?” and “Had there been exhibition space in royal palaces or elsewhere during the Joseon period?”

Organized for the purpose of reviewing quarantine measures at national cultural facilities and encouraging safe cultural activities, the visit was accompanied by Park Yang-woo, minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Bae Kidong, director general of the National Museum of Korea, and Chung Jae-suk, head of the Cultural Heritage Administration. President Moon conducted an on-site inspection of the museum’s prevention measures against COVID-19, such as restricting the number of visitors, conducting temperature checks, and queuing to maintain social distance. After the visit, President Moon shared on his social media that he was “vividly moved by King Sejong’s love for his people in his endeavor to spread Hangeul” after seeing the exhibit Songs of the Moon’s Reflection on a Thousand Rivers (National Treasure No. 320) composed in Hangeul by King Sejong. The president also sent his regards to the visitors he had met that day along the exhibition halls.

This visit was made before the social distancing guidelines were raised to Level 2 to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

2020 Museum Week Festivities

2020 Museum Week was held under the theme “Museum for Equality: Diversity and Inclusion” from August 14 to 23. In celebration of this year’s museum week, the opening ceremony took place at the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History. Jung Ilwoo emceed the event as the National Museum of Korea’s public relations ambassador and the large LED artworks titled Museum Out in the Streets were on display along the walls surrounding Gwanghwamun Gate, attracting public attention. National, public, and private museums and art galleries around the nation, including the National Museum of Korea and National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art organized a variety of programs. Moreover, exhibition tickets were offered at discounted prices for more people to enjoy the museum week.

In light of the festivities, the NMK hosted 2020 Museum Education Festival featuring a wide array of cultural experiences from August 11 until 16. The event provided an opportunity for intriguingly creative, academic, and educational experiences in addition to setting the stage for diverse museum experts and cultural institutions to gather in one place in search for the social roles of museums and art galleries. The festival kicked off with the 45th Painting Festival at the NMK whereby children and youth drew their inspirations from exhibit items. In addition, the two-day Museum Education Symposium discussed the topic of museums serving as healing spaces from medical, educational, and culture perspectives, respectively, as well as various concerns and attempts shared by museums.

All events were conducted observing strict quarantine and safety measures to bring consolation and comfort to people exhausted by the COVID-19 situation.

Folding Screen A Royal Outing from the Allen Memorial Art Museum on public display at the NMK

A Royal Outing

Joseon Dynasty / Ink and color on silk / L 191.5 cm W 404.4 cm / Allen Memorial Art Museum at Oberlin College

The National Museum of Korea has been providing support for Korean galleries at overseas museums since 2009. The project has so far covered twenty-eight institutions in eight countries and achieved exceptional results, including improvement of the exhibition environment, publication of books, operation of learning programs, academic advisory service, conservation treatment, and online information sources on Korean cultural heritage. Recently, at the request of the Allen Memorial Art Museum at Oberlin College in the United States the National Museum of Korea carried out two years of conservation work on a Korean traditional folding screen A Royal Outing.

The folding screen was owned by Dalzell Bunker and his wife Annie Allers Bunker, who lived in Korea from 1886 to 1926 carrying out missionary work as well as education and medical service, and was donated to Oberlin College in 1933. It had been restored once in the United States but this time it was mounted again in the Korean traditional way. Revealed to the Korean public for the first time, this folding screen will return to the United States and serve to promote the beauty and excellence of Korean traditional art. Stories about the folding screen can be seen on the NMK website and social media.

Resting Areas Newly Created

The parts of resting places in and around the Permanent Exhibition Hall have been renovated into convenience facilities for visitors. The relaxing areas on the second and third floors feature views of some of the main exhibits, the museum building, and the outside landscape. In particular, the museum’s outdoor garden to the east of the exhibition hall on the third floor has been redesigned into a space for healing and refreshment. Visitors will be able to enjoy a new museum experience while relaxing comfortably in these completely transformed resting areas. Revived with a touch of modernity in cooperation with furniture and landscape designers, these places are expected to serve as a leisurely resting spot for visitors to find peace of mind while viewing various artworks at first-hand.

Sehando Donated to the National Museum of Korea

The NMK received news from the Sohn Changkun’s family of their intent to donate Winter Scene (Sehando; National Treasure No. 180) by Kim Jeonghui, penname Chusa, and is currently undertaking relevant procedures. Appropriately capturing the upright spirit of scholars, called seonbi, from the late Joseon period, Winter Scene is highly valued as the most representative literati painting. This masterpiece, drawn by Kim Jeonghui at the age of fifty-nine during his exile, aptly displays the unity of calligraphy and painting in that he used dry ink and rough brushwork to realistically depict the physical, as well as spiritual hardship and parchedness that he faced in those days. The pine tree in Winter Scene is known to represent Kim Jeonghui himself, barely enduring the harsh life of exile, while the cone pine trees symbolize the unyielding scholar’s spirit that he endeavored to keep, nevertheless. Following the previous Sohn Seki and Sohn Changkun Collection, completed by donating a total of 304 pieces from 202 items to the NMK in November 2018, the Sohn made the donation for the second time. As soon as the donation steps are completed, the NMK plans to release Winter Scene to the press and hold a special exhibition for all visitors to enjoy in upcoming November.

Acquisition of Two Treasuredesignated Buddhist Statues

Gilt-bronze Standing Buddha

Treasure No. 284

Gilt-bronze Standing Bodhisattva

Treasure No. 285

The NMK has purchased two Buddhist statues — Gilt-bronze Standing Buddha (Treasure No. 284) and Gilt-bronze Standing Bodhisattva (Treasure No. 285) — from the Kansong Art and Culture Foundation and displays them in the Buddhist Sculpture Gallery for four weeks until October 25. Previously owned by the Kansong Art and Culture Foundation, the Buddhist relics were put up for auction but failed to attract bidders. The NMK decided to acquire these relics with the intent of honoring Kansong’s determination to protect valuable national heritage in addition to preserving the items’ value as cultural heritage of the whole society instead of an individual. The NMK will conduct scientific and academic research on the two Buddhist statues and plans to showcase them in various exhibitions after acquiring more information on their historical value and excellence of Korean cultural heritage.