Chunhyangjeon~A Glimpse into the History of Love through the Ages... Songpa Book Museum Special Exhibition 'Love Blooming in Books'

Over 100 Love Stories Across the Ages, from Chunhyangjeon to Modern Romance Culture
January 23 to August 31: Exhibition of Love Records in Books, Love-Themed Videos, and Hands-On Programs

Songpa-gu (Mayor Seo Gang-seok) announced that from January 23 to August 31, 2025, the Songpa Book Museum will hold a special planned exhibition titled "Love Bloomed in Books."

Opened in 2019, the Songpa Book Museum is Korea's first public book museum established with the theme of books, offering diverse and distinctive exhibitions, lectures, and educational programs.

The theme of this special exhibition is various love stories contained in books from the late Joseon Dynasty to the modern and contemporary periods. Divided into four parts?▲The Thrill of First Love ▲The Growth of Love ▲Traces of Parting ▲Vows of Love?the exhibition showcases books and records vividly depicting the forms of love through different eras.

First, Part 1, "The Thrill of First Love," highlights the emotions of love's first bloom through representative Joseon-era love stories such as "Chunhyangjeon" and Hwang Sun-won's short story "Sonagi." Visitors can also experience the "Sonagi" animation produced by director Ahn Jae-hoon of "Meditation with a Pencil."

Part 2, "The Growth of Love," introduces the new dating culture that began with the "Free Love Movement" in the early 1900s. It offers an enjoyable look at how expressions of love changed over time through love letters, telephones, and pagers. Notably, a 1990s pager is provided for visitors to press the codes lovers exchanged in numbers, allowing them to experience the analog sentiment.

Part 3, "Traces of Parting," centers on works that capture the pain of separation, such as Kim Sowol's "Azaleas," as well as modern novels and literature from the industrialization era that reflect loss and the pains of the times.

Part 4, "Vows of Love," explores love promises and the evolving marriage culture through various materials, from traditional wedding customs to the spread of modern ideas about free marriage.

In addition, related programs are prepared to enhance the viewing experience. The themed corner "Various Colors of Love" presents works dealing with diverse forms of love, such as familial love and patriotism, encouraging reflection on the many meanings of love.

Also, the experience corner offers programs where visitors can express love in various ways, including ▲making diffusers ▲creating heart-shaped bookmarks ▲writing letters.

The exhibition opens on January 23 and is free to visit from Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Seo Gang-seok, Mayor of Songpa-gu, stated, "Love stories contained in books are mirrors reflecting the images of each era and precious records capturing unchanging human emotions. We hope many people visit to feel the emotions that love stories convey and appreciate the value of books."