Starbucks Holds Special Exhibition of Independence Patriots' Handwritten Calligraphy to Commemorate the 80th Anniversary of Liberation Day

11 Pieces of Handwritten Calligraphy by Independence Activists on Display at Deokhongjeon Hall, Deoksugung Palace
Traditional Korean Music Performance and Complimentary Coffee for Personal Cup Users

Starbucks Korea announced on the 7th that it will exhibit 11 pieces of handwritten calligraphy by independence activists, donated to the Cultural Heritage National Trust since 2015, at Deokhongjeon Hall in Deoksugung Palace in celebration of the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day.

Ahead of the Starbucks special exhibition starting on the 8th at Deokhongjeon Hall in Deoksugung Palace, Baek Ok-yeon, Head of Deoksugung Management Office at the Royal Palaces and Tombs Management Office (second from the left), Kim Ji-young, ESG Team Leader at Starbucks, and Lee Jae-jun, Executive Director of the Cultural Heritage National Trust, are taking a commemorative photo in front of Deokhongjeon Hall at Deoksugung Palace.

The special exhibition, held from the 8th to the 20th, is themed "Calligraphy, Shining as Stars. The Second Light," and was planned to raise interest and awareness about the protection of national heritage through the display of handwritten calligraphy by independence activists.

The 11 pieces of handwritten calligraphy by independence activists include Baekbeom Kim Gu’s works: "Jonsim Yangseong," "Gwangbok Joguk," "Cheonha Wi Gong," "Yujipilseong," and "Jiseong Gamcheon"; Dosan Ahn Changho’s "Yakyok Gaejo Sahoe Seonja Gaejo Agung"; Manhae Han Yongun’s "Jeondae Beomnyun"; Wichang Oh Sechang’s "Isin Yangseong" and "Oeon-si 2-pok"; and Haegong Shin Ikhee’s "Yugeom Gai Joryeom Yuseo Gai Seongdeok," among others.

To commemorate the special exhibition, on the 12th, a fusion gugak (traditional Korean music) performance and Starbucks coffee giveaway event will be held in the front yard of Jeukjodang Hall at Deoksugung Palace. During the performance, visitors who bring their personal reusable cups will receive 300 free cups per session. Performance groups such as "Gugak In Gayo" and "Jay Gugak" will present stages that blend tradition and modernity. During the exhibition period, there will also be an event to give away the "Starbucks Special Exhibition Tumbler" designed with the handwritten calligraphy of independence activists. It will be given to the first 100 visitors each day.

Since 2009, Starbucks has signed agreements with the Cultural Heritage Administration and the National Heritage Keepers to carry out various activities such as preserving traditional culture in local communities, supporting the restoration and preservation of the Korean Legation in the United States, donating independence cultural heritage artifacts, and sponsoring cultural events at royal palaces. In July last year, Starbucks converted its Hwangudan store into its 9th Community Store and signed a heritage protection agreement with the Cultural Heritage Administration and the Cultural Heritage National Trust. Starbucks pledged to donate 1 billion KRW over five years by accumulating 300 KRW from every product sold at the Hwangudan store, amounting to 200 million KRW annually.

The total amount Starbucks has donated to the national heritage protection fund since 2015 to promote the value of Korean cultural heritage has reached 1.1 billion KRW.

Son Jeonghyun, CEO of Starbucks Korea, said, "This exhibition commemorating the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day is a meaningful event that reflects Starbucks’ efforts to protect independence cultural heritage. We will continue sincere activities to protect national heritage and raise awareness in the future."