National Museum of Korea

07/10/2026

[Luck_In Words] Keeping Good Words Close

If you could engrave meaningful words onto an object you use every day, what would you choose?

Carved onto this stone burner are the Classical Chinese characters for bugwi (富貴), conveying a wish for a prosperous life.
Though it was an everyday household object used to hold burning charcoal and warm a room, it carried both physical warmth and a heartfelt hope for a good life.
In this way, people of the past carved uplifting words onto objects used in their daily lives to invite good fortune into their homes.

We invite you to discover the big wishes carved onto this modest burner at the National Museum of Korea.

Burner | Joseon, 19th century | Donated Collection Gallery | Gift of Park Young-sook in 1996

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05/10/2026

[October, Four Ways to Keep Luck Close]

How did people of the past keep luck close by their side?

They carved wishes for fortune in characters, imbued peaches and longevity motifs with desires for a long life, and welcomed good luck through creatures like bats. They also infused special geometric and sacred patterns with positive energy and blessings. While they may look like simple, beautiful designs today, every single motif carries a heartfelt wish to live well, stay healthy, and invite good things into life.

This October, discover the hidden symbols of luck woven into the collection of the National Museum of Korea.

We invite you to explore these timeless wishes and bring a touch of ancient blessings into your daily life.

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01/10/2026

[October, the Joy of Liberation Written in Calligraphy]

In a moment of overwhelming joy, who would be the first person you'd want to share your heart with? Korean independence activist Kim Koo handwrote the calligraphy to share the jubilation of liberation with his comrade. For October's calendar wallpaper, we present a folding screen carrying that very heart.

The folding screen features classical writings in clear, upright regular script alongside traditional poems in Hangeul celebrating the joy of independence, written by Kim Koo. Treasured for many years by Jung Young Bok, daughter-in-law of his fellow activist Kim Yong Sung, this historic piece was donated to the National Museum of Korea in 2024.

This work is currently on display in the Donated Gallery 4 on the second floor of the Permanent Exhibition Hall with other donated calligraphic works. Download your October calendar wallpaper and come see the original work in person! NMK calendar wallpapers are available for download via the below link.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1oztW7NUpVr66-bvhUEhsZPiabv5ywyOW?usp=sharing

Classics and Poems on Korea's Independence in Regular Script | Kim Koo | 1949 | Donated Collection Gallery | Gift of Jung Young Bok, 2024

Special Exhibition | A Shared Appreciation of Beauty, Newly Acquired Donated Collections
Donated Collection Gallery 4
July 27–November 15, 2026
Free admission

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30/09/2026

29/09/2026

[Celebration_Wedding] A Royal Wedding Parade 300 Years Ago

In 1727, a grand wedding took place at the Joseon royal court for Crown Prince Hyojang and Crown Princess Cho.
Grand processions of people carrying splendid flags, ceremonial items, and palanquins are depicted in the Uigwe for the Wedding of Crown Prince Hyojang (II).
The book documents the preparations and proceedings of this royal wedding.
People captured the key moments of this ceremony through detailed paintings and records when there weren't photos or videos.

Experience this special moment of the Joseon royal court through paintings and records from the time.
Follow each figure in the record and explore the royal wedding parade from 300 years ago at the National Museum of Korea.

Uigwe for the Wedding of Crown Prince Hyojang (II) | Joseon, 1727 | Oegyujanggak Uigwe Gallery

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29/09/2026

[Korea: 2,000 Years of Creativity]

We are pleased to announce that the special exhibition Korea: 2,000 Years of Creativity will open on October 1 at the British Museum, co-hosted by the National Museum of Korea, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, and the British Museum.

At the final venue of this touring exhibition, featuring the collection donated by the late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-Hee, we would like to share a glimpse of the three weeks of intense yet exhilarating installation work, during which three couriers from the National Museum of Korea worked alongside the British Museum staff.

Images © 2026 The Trustees of the British Museum

Special Exhibition | Korea: 2,000 Years of Creativity
The Joseph Hotung Great Court Gallery (Room 35), The British Museum
October 1, 2026 – January 31, 2027
In total, 100 items on view: 79 from the National Museum of Korea, including Korea's 23 National Treasures and Treasures, such as Clearing After Rain on Mount Inwang, as well as Tiger and Magpie; 15 from the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art; and 6 from the British Museum.

#국립중앙박물관 British Museum

28/09/2026

[Celebration_Ritual] A Royal Dragon-Patterned Celadon with a Melon-Shaped Body

At first glance, this blue-green maebyeong vase has a lobed body like a melon—and looking closer, you will find intricate dragons and peonies carved into its surface.

The 12th-century celadon vase has a distinctive body with lobes like those of a melon. The dragon and peony designs, intricately carved into the surface, stand out vividly against the celadon glaze.

This vase, with its striking dragon motifs, is believed to have been used in royal ceremonies and special events during the Goryeo Dynasty.

Take a moment to imagine the grand moments of the Goryeo royal court through its unique melon-like shape and splendid dragon patterns.

We invite you to experience the refined elegance of Goryeo royal culture at the National Museum of Korea.

Lobed Maebyeong, Vase with Dragon, Celadon with Carved Design | Goryeo, 12th century | Celadon Gallery

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25/09/2026

[Korean National Museums_Gimhae] What kinds of people lived in Hyeon-dong, Changwon, a Gaya village by the sea?

The 2026 special exhibition at the Gimhae National Museum, Life in Hyeon-dong, Changwon: Between Gaya, the Sea, and Tombs, begins with this question.
Over 900 tombs dating from the fourth to sixth centuries of the Three Kingdoms Period were excavated at the Hyeon-dong site.
Drawing on the archaeological discoveries, the exhibition brings to life the stories of the people who lived and worked in harmony with their natural surroundings, interacted with their neighbors, and shared both life and death within their community.
Through some 900 artifacts, visitors can discover the lives of the people of Hyeon-dong, one at a time.
Exhibits include distinctive boat-shaped pottery that evokes journeys across the sea, as well as objects related to daily life, production, and exchange.

Rather than focusing on kings or elites, this exhibition shines a light on the lives of ordinary people.
Familiar and unassuming artifacts quietly reveal their daily routines, thoughts, and the communities they built together.
As you follow the lives of people who lived in Gaya 1,600 years agoof history, Gaya will no longer seem like a distant past, but a world whose people and experiences resonate with our own.

We hope this exhibition offers you the opportunity to encounter another side of Gaya—one that has long been overshadowed by its more spectacular history.

Special Exhibition | Life in Hyeon-dong, Changwon: Between Gaya, the Sea, and Tombs
Gimhae National Museum
September 18, 2026 – February 24, 2027
Free admission (no tickets required)

24/09/2026

[Celebration_Wedding] A Bride's Happiness Embroidered on Red Silk
If you could embroider all your future happiness onto your outfit on your wedding day, which patterns would you choose?

The hwarot, a traditional Korean bridal robe, is magnificent at first glance.
Crafted from vibrant red silk, every part of the robe is lavishly embroidered with colorful threads.
White extensions rest at the ends of the sleeves, accented by yellow, red, and blue stripes.
The blooming peonies and bonghwang birds symbolize wealth and prosperity.
Every thread carries a heartfelt wish for the bride as she begins a new chapter in life.

We invite you to discover the special blessings embroidered onto the red hwarot at the National Museum of Korea.

Bridal Robe | Early 20th century | Joseon Gallery | Gift of Lee Hong-kun, 2002

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23/09/2026

[Celebration_Wedding] A Bride's Adornments for Her Brightest Day

How did a bride in the Joseon Dynasty dress to be the most beautiful on her wedding day?

Dressed in fine wedding attire, the bride wore a decorative crown on her head and a hairpin adorned with pearls and enamel.
From the hairpin hung a long back ribbon, ensuring even her back was attentively styled, while her feet were adorned with elegant embroidered shoes.
Together, these varied ornaments created an exceptionally exquisite look for the bride on the day.

It seems like we share the desire to dress with utmost care for one's most special occasion across ages and regions.

We invite you to discover the exquisite bridal ornaments prepared for the special day at the National Museum of Korea.

Floral Hairpin with Pearl and Enamel Decoration | Late Joseon | Joseon Gallery | Image 2–3
Doturakdaenggi (Bridal Hair Ribbon) | 20th century | Joseon Gallery | Image 4
Women's Shoes | 20th century | Joseon Gallery | On loan from Daegu National Museum | Gift of Lee Young Hee, 2019 | Image 5–6

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