160,000 Visitors in 7 Months... 96% Satisfaction Rate → Exhibition Extended 2 Months Until October 27
Featuring 140 Items Including Old Printed Materials, Printing Tools, and Videos Showcasing Korea's Printing History from Goryeo to Modern Times!
Songpa-gu (District Mayor Seo Gang-seok) announced that the exhibition "Printing, Embracing the Memories of an Era" at the Songpa Book Museum will be extended from the original end date in late August to October 27, adding two more months.
Since the exhibition opened on January 31, over 160,000 visitors have visited the museum in just seven months. The exhibition has attracted much attention with its rich content compiled under the unique theme of "Korean Printing History" and the rare collection of over 140 items.
A museum official stated, "In the visitor satisfaction survey, 96% expressed satisfaction and 94% indicated their intention to revisit, showing a very positive response," and explained the reason for the extension as "to showcase the charm of printing to more citizens."
In fact, visitors praised the exhibition through surveys, saying, "It was great to see and confirm the history of printing, which I had only guessed before, with my own eyes," and "The hands-on experiences and videos for children made it both educational and interesting."
There were also many comments from foreign visitors. "This is my first time at the Book Museum, and since I am very interested in the Korean language and history, I had a great time. I want to come again with my family when I return to Korea. Truly, Republic of Korea!", and "I am Japanese teaching media history and publishing culture, and I especially enjoyed the detailed bookbinding process," were among the compliments received.
The exhibition is organized into five sections, showing the journey of completing a book from planning to the Joseon Dynasty, modern times, the Korean War period, and contemporary era. Visitors can see neatly arranged printed materials and printing tools from each era, and documentary films and 3D illustrated printing history videos are screened throughout the exhibition hall to aid understanding.
First, Part 1 "Printing that Shook the World" introduces Goryeo Dynasty metal movable type printing and woodblock printing, including a restored copy of the "Jikji Simche Yojeol" housed at the National Library of France. Part 2 "Printing, the Dissemination of Knowledge" shows the clear social changes from early Joseon metal movable type publications and printing tools to books distributed to the public in the later period.
Part 3 "Voices Toward a New World" covers the Korean Empire and Japanese colonial period, featuring the first modern newspaper "Hansung Sunbo," books containing patriotic enlightenment ideas, and lead type and printed materials that were a pillar of Korean printing technology until 1980.
Part 4 "Overcoming Crisis and Moving Forward" reveals the nation's determination by showing how printing factories were rebuilt amid the ruins of the Korean War to publish government textbooks, and the final Part 5 "Blooming Printing Culture!" deals with the latest printing technologies such as offset printing and bookbinding methods.
Unique hands-on experiences linked to the exhibition are also receiving positive responses. In particular, the "Neunghwapan Printing," a traditional Joseon-era book cover design method, is so popular that seats for the experience are always fully booked, with many visitors citing it as their favorite experience and feeling the charm of traditional printing. Additionally, various activities such as making "Sijeonji" paper and coloring printed materials enrich the exhibition experience.
The museum operates from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., is closed every Monday, and admission is free. More detailed information about visiting can be found on the Songpa Book Museum website.
Seo Gang-seok, Mayor of Songpa-gu, said, "Thanks to the great support, we have extended the exhibition until October," and added, "We hope many people visit to look back on the history of printing, which laid the foundation for book culture, and take a step closer to books."
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