National Heritage Media Art to Illuminate Twelve Cities

Opening at Jinju Fortress, touring nationwide until November
Three Narratives: Royal Capitals, Guardianship, and Everyday Life

The initiative to spotlight national heritage sites as nighttime stages is spreading throughout the country. The National Heritage Administration and the National Heritage Promotion Agency announced on the 3rd that “National Heritage Media Art” events will be held in twelve cities nationwide from August 14 to November 8. The exhibitions will tour various locations, sharing three storylines: royal capitals and civilizations, guardianship and peace, and cities and daily life.

'2026 National Heritage Media Art' Poster.

The first venue, Jinju Fortress, will be transformed into "Gaonnuri Jinju Fortress" from the 14th of this month to September 6. Through installations at the statue of General Kim Si-min and Chokseokru Pavilion, the spirit of those who defended Jinju will be brought to life. An interactive segment will be offered where visitors can beat a drum to make pomegranate flowers bloom.

The theme of royal capitals continues in Gyeongju. From September 4 to 27, the Daereungwon Tombs will present the story of the Gyeongju Basin's formation and the founding of Silla through the signature program "The Birth of Silla." The founding myths, royal tombs, and golden culture of Silla will be recreated using cutting-edge technology.

Mireuksaji in Iksan will evoke the royal capital envisioned by Baekje’s King Mu. The lost wooden pagoda will be reconstructed as a 30-meter-high media façade, and the East and West stone pagodas will be connected with lights and lasers, reviving the grandeur of the past.

At Jeongnimsa Temple site in Buyeo, visitors themselves become “modern scholars” embarking on a quest to discover Baekje’s wisdom in architecture, astronomy, and crafts. The Goryeo Royal Palace on Ganghwado, though no longer standing, will be revived with media façades and lasers, shedding light on the 39-year history of Goryeo that persisted even amidst war.

Iksan Mireuksaji Media Art.

If royal capitals set the dawn of civilization, Cheorwon, Asan, Tongyeong, and Yeosu showcase the memories of those who protected that civilization, unfolded in the theme of peace. At the former Labor Party headquarters in Cheorwon, memories of division and war will be expressed through the language of empathy and healing, with participatory content allowing visitors to express peace themselves, including collaborations with international artists.

The site related to Admiral Yi Sun-sin in Asan will recreate scenes of the Battles of Myeongnyang and Noryang Lake on a pond. His sword and the war diary "Nanjung Ilgi" will be brought to life through media art, vividly presenting Admiral Yi’s resolve. At Tongyeong’s Samdosugun Tongjeyoung, the healing of wounds from war and the transition to an era of culture and art are showcased on the stage of National Treasure Sebyeonggwan and the 12 artisan workshops. Jinamgwan Hall in Yeosu, newly restored after a decade-long full-scale renovation, will highlight the birth of Admiral Yi and the turtle ship, recounting the victories of the Imjin War and completing the narrative of restoration.

If preserved memories remain within relics, Gunsan, Yangsan, and Cheongju bring those memories into daily urban life. Gunsan will connect nine modern architectural sites—including the old customs office, the Museum of Modern History, and the inner harbor railway—into nine light scenes, weaving together the city's memories with videos filmed by citizens themselves.

At Tongdosa Temple in Yangsan, the stage, which last year remained at the temple’s entrance, is expanded this year to include the entire complex, expressing the journey of reflection and meditative discipline leading to tranquility. Cheongju will present an urban media art installation that connects Yongdusa Temple Iron Flagpole, Mangseonru Pavilion, Apgaksu, and the Chungcheong Provincial Military Command. Additional programs include a smart-table national heritage exam and a mobile augmented reality tour through the old downtown area.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.