▲ Visitors take photos at "Gyeongbokgung Thoughts," an exhibition is co-hosted by the Korea Heritage Administration and the Korea Heritage Agency, in Gyeongbokgung Palace in central Seoul on July 2, 2025. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- A new exhibition at Gyeongbok Palace is offering visitors a unique opportunity to engage with Korea's cultural heritage through five modern art installations blending history and contemporary sensibility.

 

Titled "Gyeongbokgung Thoughts," the exhibition is co-hosted by the Korea Heritage Administration and the Korea Heritage Agency. It aims to present the palace not just as a historical site but as a space for reflection and sensory experience.

 

At Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, one of the palace’s most iconic structures, visitors can scan a QR code to hear an audio guide narrated by Yesung of the K-pop group Super Junior. One installation, called the “Circle of Thought,” features a mirrored sculpture capturing the reflection of Gyeonghoeru, alongside a playful white tiger figure resting beside it.

 

▲ Visitors take photos at "Gyeongbokgung Thoughts," an exhibition is co-hosted by the Korea Heritage Administration and the Korea Heritage Agency, in Gyeongbokgung Palace in central Seoul on July 2, 2025. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

The exhibition invites visitors to explore various corners of the palace where art pieces inspired by traditional palace motifs have been installed. Sculptures incorporate patterns from palace window lattices and imagery such as the white tiger from the stone terrace of Geunjeongjeon Hall.

 

The project was conceptualized by the artist collective "Our Labour," which includes installation artists, craftspeople and sculptors. The exhibition is directed by Choi In-sun.

 

“This is not an exhibition looking back on the past, but one that adds new life to heritage through observation and contemplation,” Choi said. “Gyeongbok Palace marks its 630th anniversary this year, and we hope to offer a new lens through which to experience it.”

 

The agency emphasized that the installations are more than decorative structures, describing them as "windows and gateways for thought" that transform the palace into "a living site that speaks to those who visit."

 

Visitors can access descriptions of each structure and its surrounding palace area via QR codes. At Saenggwabang, a historical royal kitchen, a video presentation from the “National Heritage Channel” introduces the cultural and historical value of state-designated heritage assets.

 

The juxtaposition of Joseon-era palace architecture and modern sculpture offers a visually striking experience for those walking the grounds. Maps are available for self-guided tours to explore each featured site.

 

The exhibition runs through June 7.

[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]