Busan is good

Busan Museum–National Palace Museum of Korea Joint Special Exhibition “Timeless Legacy: Records and Culture of the Joseon Dynasty” Surpasses 70,000 Visitors

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Busan Museum, headed by Director Jung Eun-woo, announced that the special exhibition “Timeless Legacy: Records and Culture of the Joseon Dynasty,” jointly organized with the National Palace Museum of Korea, headed by Director Bae Min-seong, has attracted more than 70,000 visitors, making it the second most-visited special exhibition in Busan Museum’s history.

The exhibition, which opened on July 7, was organized to commemorate the 48th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, held in Busan in 2026.

Visitor numbers have continued to rise steadily, including families during the summer vacation season and domestic and international tourists visiting Busan, bringing total attendance to more than 70,000 to date.

This is the second-highest attendance ever recorded for a special exhibition at Busan Museum, following the approximately 80,000 visitors to the 2024 special exhibition “Collectors’ Stories: The Pleasure of Collecting, the Joy of Sharing.” As visitors will continue to be admitted through the exhibition’s closing date of August 30, the final attendance figure is expected to rise further.

The exhibition brings together the Joseon Dynasty’s meticulous tradition of documenting every aspect of governance from the early years of the dynasty, its royal court culture, and the history of international exchange centered on Dongnae-bu, present-day Busan, which served as a major hub for diplomacy.

A total of 193 objects in 166 entries are on display, including UNESCO Memory of the World documentary heritage such as the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, Diaries of the Royal Secretariat, Daily Records of the Royal Court and Important Officials, Royal Protocols of the Joseon Dynasty, royal seals and investiture books of the Joseon royal family, and documents relating to the Joseon Tongsinsa diplomatic missions. Other major works include the Portrait of King Yeongjo, Portrait of King Cheoljong, Donggwoldo, a blue-and-white porcelain jar with landscape, flower and bird designs, and a white porcelain moon jar.

In particular, the exhibition attracted attention even before its opening by presenting, for the first time in history in a single venue, the four archival editions of the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty preserved at the Jeongjoksan, Taebaeksan, Odaesan and Jeoksangsan archives, along with major cultural heritage objects representing the Joseon royal court, including the National Treasure Donggwoldo and the portraits of Kings Yeongjo and Cheoljong.

Extensive promotional activities linked to the 48th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, together with expanded opportunities to visit the exhibition, also played a decisive role in its success.

From the early stages of the exhibition, Busan Metropolitan City actively used both online and offline channels to raise public awareness. Two promotional videos produced by the city were distributed through its official social media channels, YouTube and digital displays throughout the city, generating approximately 490,000 views and receiving a strong response.

In addition, members of Media Members, the city’s citizen reporter group, visited the exhibition in person and shared their coverage through their personal social media accounts, helping to generate strong online word of mouth during the early stages of the exhibition.

The special exhibition “Timeless Legacy: Records and Culture of the Joseon Dynasty” will continue through August 30.

Admission is free for all visitors. During the remaining exhibition period, docent-led exhibition tours will be offered daily at 2:00 p.m., along with “A Historical Journey with a Curator” every Friday at 3:00 p.m., providing visitors with opportunities for a more in-depth experience.

Jung Eun-woo, Director of Busan Museum, said, “The fact that more than 70,000 visitors have come to this special exhibition is a meaningful achievement that demonstrates the public’s strong interest in Joseon’s documentary culture and royal heritage.”

He added, “It is also particularly meaningful that, on the occasion of the 48th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, we were able to share in Busan the value and excellence of our cultural heritage.”