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Bokcheon Museum Presents Special Exhibition “Running Together: The Horses in Our Lives” to Celebrate Its 30th Anniversary

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Bokcheon Museum, affiliated with Busan Museum, announced that it will hold its 2026 special exhibition, “Running Together: The Horses in Our Lives,” for 62 days from September 22 to November 22.

Organized to commemorate the Year of the Horse in 2026 and the 30th anniversary of Bokcheon Museum, the exhibition explores the horse, which has accompanied people for centuries and played important roles in a wide range of areas, including travel, transportation, warfare, state administration and diplomacy, daily life, and rituals.

In particular, the exhibition traces the history of horse use on the Korean Peninsula and the evolution of horse equipment, focusing on the diverse horse gear excavated from the Ancient Tombs in Bokcheon-dong. It also examines how the relationship between people and horses changed over time and highlights the symbolism and meanings associated with that relationship.

The exhibition is divided into two sections that chronologically explore the relationship between people and horses from the Samhan period through the Joseon Dynasty. A total of 260 artifacts in 162 groups, including two designated Treasures, are presented on loan from 20 institutions nationwide.

Part 1, “Horses as Symbols of Power,” explores the earliest evidence of horses on the ancient Korean Peninsula and a variety of horse equipment, illustrating how horses and equestrian culture came to symbolize power while also shedding light on exchanges among different regions.

Part 2, “Horses Connecting the World,” highlights how horses served as important state resources and as a means of transporting people, goods, and information, while also showing their presence in both the everyday lives and special moments of people in the past.

Major exhibits include “Divination Bone,” made from a horse scapula; “Bronze Pommel,” a horse-decorated sword-pommel ornament; a “Cylinder-shaped Pottery Stand” with horse figurines excavated from the Ancient Tombs in Bokcheon-dong; the Treasure-designated “Earthenware Horn-shaped Cup with Horse-head Decoration”; “Eight Fine Horses, Attributed to Yun Du-seo,” depicting the eight prized horses associated with Yi Seong-gye; and the Treasure-designated “Map of State-Operated Horse Ranches,” which illustrates the state administration of horse ranches.

Of particular note is the first public presentation of “Horse Equipment Excavated from Tomb No. 75 at Marisan, Haman,” which was recently reported in academic circles. The material has attracted attention as new evidence for examining Gaya equestrian culture and the development of horse equipment.

The exhibition also incorporates a variety of supplementary content alongside the artifacts to help visitors of different age groups understand the exhibition more easily and enjoyably.

A kinetic procession model brings together various depictions of horses accompanying people at different moments in history, allowing visitors to see at a glance how the roles of horses changed over time.

At the end of the exhibition, video content illustrates how the long-standing roles of horses began to change with the emergence of new forms of transportation in the modern era, inviting visitors to reflect on the significance of horses that have remained by people’s side throughout history.

A horse-themed line-art photo zone has also been installed in the lobby at the entrance to the exhibition hall, allowing visitors to freely take photographs with horse imagery.

A variety of exhibition-related programs will also be offered, including hands-on activities for adults and families, public lectures, and exhibition tours.

Programs include the “Bokcheon One-Day Workshop” adult craft sessions, “Making a Horse Ornament,” on September 18 and October 30; the “Bustling Bokcheon Workshop” for families with elementary school children, “Good Luck Running Together: Horseshoe Bag Charm,” on October 3 and October 31; the “Autumn Gaya Artifacts Class” for families with elementary school children on November 8 and November 15; “Public Lectures on Archaeology” on November 13 and November 20; and “Gallery Talks” on October 16 and October 30.

Admission to the exhibition is free for all visitors. The museum is closed every Monday, or the following day when Monday is a public holiday. Further information is available on the Bokcheon Museum website at museum.busan.go.kr/bokcheon/.

For additional inquiries, contact Bokcheon Museum at 051-550-0332 for exhibition information or 051-550-0333 for educational programs.

Bokcheon Museum Director Seong Hyun-ju said, “With their exceptional mobility, horses have expanded civilizations, dramatically transformed the nature of warfare, and long stood as symbols of power and national strength. They have also played an important role as a vital link connecting people, goods, and information.”

She added, “As we celebrate the museum’s 30th anniversary in the Year of the Horse, I hope this exhibition will offer visitors an opportunity to appreciate the significance of the horse equipment excavated from the Ancient Tombs in Bokcheon-dong and to reflect on the long journey that people and horses have shared throughout our history.”