Guided Tours on Light, Yi Sun-sin, and Islamic Art Illuminate Wednesday Nights

"Conversations with Curators" at the National Museum of Korea
Evening Openings Every Wednesday

The National Museum of Korea is strengthening communication with visitors by offering curator-led exhibition tours during its evening opening hours. The museum announced that, throughout the New Year of 2026, it will present a total of 15 guided exhibition sessions covering special exhibitions, the permanent exhibition halls, and the Islamic Gallery of the World Art Gallery, as part of the "Conversations with Curators" program held every Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Bronze Geumtak unearthed from Bogwangjeon Hall, Hoeamsa Temple (Joseon Dynasty, 1394). Provided by the National Museum of Korea

To begin with, a total of five guided tours will be held for the two special exhibitions currently underway at the National Museum of Korea. The special exhibition "From Impressionism to Early Modernism: The Collectors of Light" will feature guided tours at 6 p.m. on January 7 and 21, exploring how the depiction of light in French painting evolved from the late 19th to the early 20th century, and how this transformation influenced artists' visual perceptions. The special exhibition "Our Yi Sun-sin" will offer guided tours at 7 p.m. on January 7, 14, and 21, providing a comprehensive look at the history of Yi Sun-sin and the Imjin War, focusing on key artifacts such as the Nanjung Ilgi (War Diary of Yi Sun-sin), Yi Sun-sin's long sword, and the Cheonja Chongtong cannon. Notably, on January 7, a detailed guided tour themed "The Heroes of Victory: Gunpowder Weapons" will be provided, offering a unique perspective on the special exhibition. Participation in the "Conversations with Curators" for special exhibitions is limited to those present in the exhibition hall at the scheduled time, and re-entry is not permitted after exiting the hall.

The Islamic Gallery of the World Art Gallery, which has attracted attention since its opening on November 22 last year, will hold a guided tour at 7 p.m. on January 28. The exhibition planner will personally introduce the diverse aspects of Islamic art, offering in-depth explanations of items such as beautifully scripted Qur'an manuscripts, intricate miniatures, and exquisite crafts.

The permanent exhibition halls will also feature a variety of themed guided tours. In the Baekje Room of the Prehistory and Ancient History Gallery, visitors can learn about "The Inkstone: A Close Companion of Ink," while the Unified Silla Room will offer a session entitled "Exploring the Lotus and Treasure Pattern." In the Joseon 1 Room of the Medieval and Early Modern History Gallery, "Early Joseon Buddhism as Seen through the Hoeamsa Temple Site" will explore early Joseon Buddhist culture through artifacts unearthed from the Hoeamsa site. The Joseon 3 Room will focus on "The Basic Materials of Joseon Dynasty Painting," shedding light on the fundamentals of painting production. The Donation 1 Room will introduce ancient military culture through "Greek Bronze Helmets in Literature," while the Donation 4 Room will explore the formative characteristics of traditional Korean furniture through "Wooden Furniture Donated by Kim Jonghak." In the Japanese Room of the World Art Gallery, "Understanding and Appreciating Japanese Painting" will introduce various forms of Japanese painting, including the Genji Monogatari folding screens and albums, as well as the Tokaido 53 Stations prints. The Children's Museum will offer a guided tour titled "Understanding the Heart in Cultural Heritage through Materials" to help young visitors better understand the exhibits.

The National Museum of Korea hopes that the "Conversations with Curators" program will provide visitors with a deeper understanding of the exhibitions and offer new opportunities to engage with cultural heritage and art.