“Hunminjeongeum Haeryebon,” the original 15th-century handbook of the Korean writing system Hangeul, is on display alongside an immersive media reimagining of its pages at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in central Seoul. It is one of 99 masterpieces from the Kansong Art Museum’s collection featured in the new exhibition, “When the Clouds Clear, the Moon Shines, the Wind Blows, and the Stars Shine.” Courtesy of Kansong Art Museum
By Park Han-sol
From the 15th-century Hangeul manuscript “Hunminjeongeum Haeryebon” to Shin Yun-bok’s iconic “Portrait of a Beauty,” celebrated Korean treasures from the Kansong Art Museum’s collection have been given a new lease on life as immersive media art.
At the exhibition “When the Clouds Clear, the Moon Shines, the Wind Blows, and the Stars Shine,” running through April 30, 2025, at Dongdaemun Design Plaza, 99 historic masterpieces, including state-designated national treasures, have become the stars of eye-catching digital showmanship for the first time in the museum’s history.
“In Korea and around the world, an overwhelming number of immersive media art shows focus on Western intellectual property, like the works of Van Gogh and Gauguin. Yet, Korea also boasts a wealth of cultural treasures and technological capabilities,” museum director Chun In-keon said. “This project partially stemmed from the question, ‘Why aren’t we creating something that reflects our own cultural assets?’”
Brought to life by teams of commercial directors, musicians, media artists and perfumers, the show spans eight expansive rooms equipped with wall-filling screens, motion graphics and lidar technology to put an interactive twist on the country’s heritage.
One mirrored room is filled with multihued paper lanterns inscribed with Hangeul characters. Courtesy of Kansong Art Museum
The wall-sized media art is inspired by Joseon-era artist Jeong Seon’s true-view landscape paintings of the Gwandong region in present-day Gangwon Province. Courtesy of Kansong Art Museum
A visitor takes a photo of the digital reinterpretation of Jeong Seon’s scenic landscape paintings of the Gwandong region. Yonhap
A glimpse of painter Shin Yun-bok’s “Portrait of a Beauty” can be seen through fluttering floral veils. Courtesy of Kansong Art Museum
The immersive pictorial vista of “dowon” emerges from 30 images from Shin Yun-bok’s “Hyewonjeonsincheop,” an album of popular folk paintings. Yonhap
Jeong Seon’s seasonal depiction of Mount Geumgang is revived through light and sound. Courtesy of Kansong Art Museum
“Samcheongcheop” features the celebrated symbols of dignity for the Joseon-era literati — plum blossoms, orchids and bamboo. Courtesy of Kansong Art Museum
The dynamic world of calligrapher and scholar Kim Jeong-hui’s artistry unfolds throughout the exhibition hall. Yonhap
Kim Jeong-hui’s high-powered brushstrokes have been breathed new life through digital art. Courtesy of Kansong Art Museum
