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[Arts & Culture] How a journey through Korean history landed in Germany
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Mar 212025
한국문화의 정수를 독일에서… 드레스덴 '100가지 행복, 한국문화 특별전' 이야기 Time now for our Arts and Culture segment. Joining me in the studio is our culture correspondent Song Yoo-jin. Welcome! Good evening. What do you have for us today? I recently found out that Korean cultural treasures are making a surprise appearance in Germany, with happiness at the heart of the story. They're currently on display in Dresden, also known as the cultural center of Germany. First, take a look. This gold crown and belt from Korea's 5th century Silla Dynasty, are making a rare visit to Germany, for the first time in over 60 years. These national treasures are part of the "100 Ideas of Happiness. Art Treasures from Korea," an exhibition at Dresden Royal Palace, a result of years of collaboration between the National Museum of Korea and Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, one of the most prestigious museum networks in the world. The partnership began in 2017 when SKD showcased its prized collections to Korea. Now, the favor is being returned, with over 1-hundred-80 objects spanning from the Three Kingdoms Period to the Joseon Dynasty, making their way to Germany. Claudia Brink and Baik So-jin are the curators. "We start with works coming from the fifth and sixth century and up to the 19th and 20th century. And also, lots of genres, so we have sculpture, we have metal work, goldsmith work, precious objects, paintings, calligraphy." "From my field, that this opportunity to present the Korean heritage in this volume, really it's impossible. We had like this kind of like a comparable size of exhibition in 1999 in Essen and that was kind of like the last biggest exhibition in Germany." Though these artifacts differ in shape, size, and era, they share a common theme: happiness. "Figurative earthenware from the Three Kingdoms period reflects wishes for a good afterlife. The Korean folding screen from the GRASSI Museum of Ethnology in Leipzig, '100 Signs of Happiness and Long Life,' captures traditional Korean ideas of joy and fortune. We wanted to introduce Korean cultural heritage and also share a message of hope and resilience." This isn't just East meets West. It's a bridge between cultures, told through a story that never gets old. And in times like these, who couldn't use a little extra happiness? An exhibition with happiness at its heart is something we could all use more of these days. Yoo-jin, your report mentioned that this is the largest Korean culture exhibition to take place in Germany in well over two decades. Tell us more about its significance. Sure. One thing I'd like to highlight is the significance of the venue itself: the Dresden Royal Palace. The palace was nearly destroyed during World War II but has since been beautifully restored. According to Curator Kim from the National Museum of Korea, the fact that Korean culture is now being showcased in a space so cherished across Europe is a sign of just how far Korean culture has come. It's truly spreading its wings across the continent. As for the exhibition itself, it runs until August 10th, and several events are planned along the way. One highlight is Korean Week, from May 26th to June 1st, where visitors can try on hanbok, Korea's traditional attire, and experience a modern art performance inspired by Korean themes. More details will be announced soon. And just a quick note for anyone planning a visit. It's open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM, except Tuesdays. And Yoo-jin, I hear this exhibition isn't the only cultural moment where Silla's golden crown is making an impression. That's right. If you found Silla's gold crown and belt featured in my report intriguing, you might want to check out BLACKPINK Jennie's music video for her recent track, "ZEN." Released in late January, it features a dazzling costume inspired by the Silla gold crown, which is what you're seeing on the screen right now. The designer says the outfit includes over one-thousand handcrafted metal embellishments, which is a bold fusion of heritage and modern style meant to highlight Jennie's unique charisma and connect past and present through fashion. It is a stunning reinterpretation of tradition. Yoo-jin, thank you for your report today. My pleasure. #SouthKorea #Germany #Dresden #Artifacts #Korean_artifacts #대한민국 #독일 #드레스덴 #유물 #한국유물 #전시회 #Arirang_News #아리랑뉴스 📣 Facebook :   / arirangtvnews   📣 Twitter :   / arirangtvnews   📣 Homepage : https://v2.arirang.com/ 2025-03-21, 20:00 (KST)

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