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| ▲ This poster provided by the Korea Heritage Service (KHS) promotes the special exhibition "Anti-Japanese Heritage in Light," to be held at Dondeokjeon, Deoksugung Palace, from Aug. 12 to Oct. 12. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL,
Aug. 6 (Yonhap) --
On Wednessday, Taein Co. announced that Ahn's calligraphy piece titled "Nokjuk," meaning green bamboo, will be unveiled at the special exhibition "Anti-Japanese Heritage in Light" at Dondeokjeon, Deoksugung Palace, from Aug. 12 to Oct. 12.
"Yumuk", or posthumous calligraphic writings left by historical figures, holds deep cultural significance. This marks the first time Ahn's Nokjuk will be publicly displayed.
Taein explained, “To honor the noble spirit of Ahn Jung-geun and other independence fighters through cultural and historical heritage, we decided to organize this exhibition in commemoration of the 80th Liberation Day.”
The existence of Nokjuk was recently revealed through an auction. Previously owned by a private collector in Japan, the piece was acquired for 940 million won (approx. US$700,000) at a Seoul Auction in April by Koo Hye-jung, daughter of the late Koo Tae-hoe, honorary chairman of LS Cable & System.
The calligraphy—written with strength and character—contains a line from the classical Chinese poetry collection Chugu, long cited in oral tradition. Scholars interpret it as a symbol of Ahn’s unwavering moral integrity and steadfastness.
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| ▲ Lee Sang-hyun, CEO of Taein and board member of the Ahn Jung-geun Memorial Society, stands next to a piece of calligraphy by Korean independence activist Ahn Jung-geun (1879–1910), inscribed with Ahn's unyielding spirit before his execution. Photo courtesy of Taein. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Lee Sang-hyun, CEO of Taein and board member of the Ahn Jung-geun Memorial Society, helped acquire the piece alongside his mother, Koo Hye-jung. Lee has also contributed stamps and postcards related to Ahn for public archives.
Another of Ahn’s yumuk, titled "Il Tong Cheong Hwa Gong," will also be displayed. This piece, written in black ink on white silk, was gifted to a Japanese prison officer named Kiyota while Ahn was imprisoned at Lushun Prison in 1910.
On the left margin, the inscription reads: “March of the Gyeongsul Year, at Lushun Prison — Humbly presented by a citizen of the Korean Empire, Ahn Jung-geun,” followed by his palm print stamp. The work was designated a national treasure in 2022 for its historical value.
The Il Tong Cheong Hwa Gong piece was purchased at auction in 2017 by Lee In-jung, chairman of the Asia Climbing Federation and husband of Koo Hye-jung. Together, the couple now owns two of Ahn’s rare calligraphic works.
Both pieces will serve as centerpiece exhibits in the special exhibition highlighting anti-Japanese heritage and the broader narrative of Korea’s independence movement.
In a special outing beyond the exhibition, Nokjuk will make a surprise appearance at the National Chorus of Korea’s performance "Musical Hero Meets the National Chorus," to be held August 21 at Seoul Arts Center’s Concert Hall in honor of Liberation Day.
Actor Yang Jun-mo, who played Ahn Jung-geun in the musical Hero, will take part in the event. Prior to the concert, curator Lee Joo-hwa of the Ahn Jung-geun Memorial Museum will deliver a lecture explaining the significance of Nokjuk and Ahn’s life.
Lee Sang-hyun, who also serves as chairman of the National Chorus, was involved in planning the performance.
Speaking to Yonhap News, Lee remarked, “I hope this becomes an opportunity to remember and reflect on the historic significance of our independence fighters’ spirit through both exhibition and performance.”
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