How Did the Concept of ‘Children’ Originate?… National Hangeul Museum Holds Special Exhibition in Gongju

Gongju Cultural Tourism Foundation Joint Exhibition
March 13 to May 11
Gongju Cultural Tourism Foundation Art Center Goma

The National Hangeul Museum and Gongju Cultural Tourism Foundation announced on the 6th that they will jointly hold a special planned exhibition titled "Children's Land," centered on the Hangeul magazine "Eorini" (Children).

This exhibition is a regional touring exhibition of the National Hangeul Museum's special exhibition "Children's Land," which highlights the Hangeul magazine "Eorini" first published in 1923. It will be held at the Gongju Cultural Tourism Foundation Art Center Goma from the 13th of this month until May 11.

Through various children's magazines, the exhibition explores the establishment of the concept of "children" in the 1920s, which respected children as individual persons, and the formation process of children's culture.

In "Part 1: The Birth of Children's Magazines," the editorial office space of the 1920s-1930s magazine "Eorini" is recreated to introduce the background of the magazine's founding, production process, and participants.

In "Part 2: Playing, Laughing, and a Peaceful World," interactive experience videos and other media show children freely playing in the green nature and expanding out into the world.

In "Part 3: A World of Reading, Writing, and Speaking," based on literary works published in the magazine and the history of Hangeul, the exhibition encourages reader participation to explore how children's culture was created at that time.

The exhibition opening ceremony will feature a special performance titled "Sejong, 1446." During the exhibition period, various related events such as "Hangeul Rhythm and Custom Rhythm" and "Exhibition Guided Tours for Children" will be held.

Kang Jeong-won, director of the National Hangeul Museum, said, "I hope this exhibition will help people empathize with the value of Hangeul culture," adding, "We will continue to enhance regional accessibility to Hangeul cultural content and contribute to improving cultural enjoyment for local residents through various touring exhibitions."

Since 2022, the National Hangeul Museum has been holding regional touring exhibitions in cooperation with the Korea Cultural and Arts Centers Association. This year, the exhibitions will visit a total of seven regions including Gongju, Gumi, Busan, and Gimpo. The "Children's Land" exhibition is scheduled to be held at the Gumi City Culture and Arts Center from May 20.