🎧 Yul's Korea Audio Guide
National Museum of Korea
Narrated in English with Korean phrases by YUL of KVIBE IDOLS.
🎵 Background music: Still in That Spring (그 봄에 머물러) — KVIBE IDOLS · Listen to the full song →
Full transcript
Annyeong, yeoreobun! It's Yul, and today we're visiting the place where Korea keeps its treasures. The National Museum of Korea. And the best part? The permanent exhibitions are free. Daebak, right?
This museum has had quite a journey. For years, its collection was kept in the old colonial government building in front of Gyeongbokgung Palace. When that building was taken down in the 1990s, the treasures moved out, and in 2005, they got this huge new home in Yongsan. It's one of the biggest museums in the world, with hundreds of thousands of objects in its collection.
Okay, now let me take you to my favorite room. It's dark, quiet, and almost magical. It's called the Room of Quiet Contemplation. Inside, there are two golden bronze statues of a Buddha-to-be, sitting with one leg crossed and a finger gently touching his cheek, smiling. They're about fourteen hundred years old, and both are national treasures. People come here just to sit and breathe. Honestly? It's the most peaceful spot in Seoul.
And don't miss the Silla gold crown, shaped like trees and deer antlers, covered in tiny gold leaves that shake when the king walks. Imagine wearing bling like that fifteen hundred years ago!
Here's a hot tip. Remember the funny tiger and the magpie in Korean folk paintings, called kkachi horangi? That old style became super trendy again recently, and the museum shop's goods sell out like concert tickets. Locals call the museum's souvenirs muds, and people line up for them!
Yul's tip! Take the subway to Ichon Station, walk straight in, and give yourself at least half a day. Check the website for evening openings.
Next, let's travel back to the golden age of Silla. Kaja!
