By Honorary Reporter Wendy Palomo from Philippines
Video= Wendy Palomo

Korea.net Honorary Reporters on Aug. 5 were invited to the National Museum of Korea in Seoul, a facility reopened last month after closure due to COVID-19.

Online reservations are required to enter the museum, and up to 300 people per hour are allowed to visit the permanent exhibition. Everyone must wear face masks and get their temperatures checked before entering exhibition halls until further notice.

The museum had a tour specifically for Honorary Reporters. We had to line up to enter the museum, with signs and reminders all over reminding us to observe social distancing. Our temperatures were checked as we went inside. After gathering in a lecture room, we were formally welcomed and the tour began.

We were first taken to the permanent exhibition, an extensive collection that spans three floors. The most amazing part here was a digital gallery featuring treasures such as "Album of Mt. Geumgang in the Sinmyo Year" (1711) by Jeong Seong and "The Ten Symbols of Longevity." This part of the exhibition puts the collection together in an awe-inspiring digital format.

Then we went to see a special exhibition featuring Korean cultural properties designated national treasures from 2017-19. Remarkable works displayed here are rarely seen by the public, including "Joseon Wangjo Sillok (Annals of the Joseon Dynasty)," a definitive historical record of Korean heritage, and "Painting of Endless Mountains and Rivers," an 18th-century work by Yi In-mun. This exhibition ends on Sept. 27, so don't miss it.

After the tour, we all received a package containing a museum handbook, fan and face masks in a pouch. The masks and the pouch were embroidered with relic representations of the displays inside the museum. I found this special as I admire anything showing cultural pride. 

The reopening of the museums in Korea make me even more grateful to live in this country.

chaey0726@korea.kr


*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.