Busan is good

Busan Museum and the National Palace Museum of Korea Open Joint Special Exhibition, Timeless Legacy: Records and Culture of the Joseon Dynasty

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Busan Museum, directed by Jeong Eun-woo, and the National Palace Museum of Korea, directed by Bae Min-seong, announced that they will jointly present the special exhibition Timeless Legacy: Records and Culture of the Joseon Dynasty from July 7 through August 30 to commemorate the 48th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, which will be held in Busan in 2026.

The exhibition explores the Joseon Dynasty's tradition of preserving historical records, the culture of the royal court, and the history of international exchange centered on Dongnaebu, present-day Busan.

Featured in the exhibition are UNESCO Memory of the World documentary heritage of the Joseon royal court, including the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, the Diaries of the Royal Secretariat, the Records of Daily Reflection, the Uigwe of the Joseon Dynasty, royal seals and royal investiture books, and the Records of the Joseon Tongsinsa. Visitors will also have the opportunity to view 195 artifacts from 166 collections, including National Treasures and Treasures that illustrate the authority and cultural refinement of the Joseon royal court, such as the Portrait of King Yeongjo, the Portrait of King Cheoljong, the Eastern Palaces, a White Porcelain Blue-and-White Jar with Landscape and Bird-and-Flower Design, and a White Porcelain Moon Jar.

The exhibition is organized into three sections, allowing visitors to explore the Joseon Dynasty's record-keeping system, royal court culture, and the history of diplomatic exchange through Dongnaebu.

Section 1, "Joseon: A Nation of Records," examines how the Joseon Dynasty documented and preserved state affairs and official ceremonies.

Section 2, "Symbols and Prestige of the Joseon Royal Court," showcases a diverse collection of artifacts that reflect the authority and artistic sophistication of the royal family.

Section 3, "Dongnaebu: Joseon's Window to the World," highlights the historical significance of Dongnaebu as the principal center of diplomatic exchange with Japan following the Imjin War, where relations were rebuilt on the principles of trust and good faith. Through the Records of the Joseon Tongsinsa, visitors can trace the history of peaceful diplomacy between the two countries.

A major highlight of the exhibition is the unprecedented display of all four surviving archival editions of the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty—from the Jeongjoksan, Taebaeksan, Odaesan, and Jeoksangsan Archives—brought together in one place for the first time.

The Annals of the Joseon Dynasty is the official chronicle of the Joseon Dynasty, recording 472 years of history from the reign of King Taejo through King Cheoljong. To safeguard these invaluable records from war and fire, the Joseon Dynasty maintained multiple archival repositories throughout the country. This exhibition provides a rare opportunity to explore both the compilation and preservation history of the Annals through all four surviving archival editions.

Please note that the Taebaeksan archival edition will be on display only through August 2. Visitors wishing to view all four archival editions together are encouraged to visit the exhibition during this limited period.

Throughout the exhibition, a variety of educational and interpretive programs—including audio guides, docent-led tours, and curator-led history talks—will be available to enhance visitors' understanding. Detailed information can be found on the Busan Museum website at museum.busan.go.kr/busan/.

Admission is free for all visitors, and the museum is closed every Monday.

However, the museum will remain open on August 17, the substitute public holiday, and will instead close on August 18. During the 48th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, the museum will extend its opening hours until 9:00 p.m. on July 17–18 and July 24–25, offering four evenings of special nighttime admission.

For further information about the exhibition, please contact Busan Museum at +82-51-610-7145.

Meanwhile, the museum's outdoor garden is also presenting Re:moon, a special outdoor installation by contemporary artist Han Won-seok, through August 30. The outdoor garden remains open daily until 10:00 p.m.

Jeong Eun-woo, Director of Busan Museum, said, "This special exhibition offers a meaningful opportunity to appreciate the documentary heritage and refined royal culture of the Joseon Dynasty in one place, while sharing the cultural legacy left by our ancestors with today's citizens and passing it on to future generations. We hope that the 48th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Busan will serve as an opportunity to introduce the outstanding value and significance of Korea's precious cultural heritage to audiences around the world."