The National Seal Dances and the Pensive Bodhisattva Raps... 3,000 Enthralled by the 'Artifact Runway' at the National Museum

275 Teams and 643 Participants Entered, 25 Finalist Teams Advanced via Regionals
Grand Prize Awarded to Eunsul Jeon for "White Porcelain Carp-Shaped Water Dropper"... 2,000 Advance Tickets Sold Out Early

The golden state seal of the Korean Empire walked out on two legs and swayed to the music. The pensive Maitreya Bodhisattva in Meditation took center stage and rapped, while a human-sized polished stone dagger swept the runway, arms stretched high above in a sideways stride. On September 19 at the National Museum of Korea's Open Square in Yongsan, Seoul, artifacts that had once remained immobile in glass display cases all 'came to life' at once.

On the 19th, participants in the 'National Museum Costume Play' runway event held at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, performed a costume show themed 'Guksae Je-go-ji-bo.' Photo by Yonhap News.

Approximately 3,000 visitors gathered for the finals of the '2026 National Museum Makeup Play Nationwide Edition,' held that day. The museum’s 2,000 pre-registered seats, offered on a first-come, first-served basis, were quickly filled; after 2:00 p.m., families, couples, and friends continued to arrive, streaming in from Ichon Station on Subway Line 4. It was difficult to find an empty spot on the Open Square steps, and people lined up in front of the library. Even the area around the escalators and glass railings was packed with crowds, prompting museum staff to remind visitors about safety repeatedly.

It was not people, but each participant’s favorite artifact, that took to the runway. The team 'Does the State Seal Have Legs?' staged a performance based on the journey of the Korean Empire’s state seal 'Jegojibo,' which was taken to Japan in 1911 during the colonial period and eventually returned to Korea. They even carried a sign reading 'Outside the National Museum Is Dangerous,' reminding the audience of Korean cultural heritage that still remains overseas. Webtoon artist Dr. Ber (Lee Dayang) became the National Treasure Maitreya Bodhisattva in Meditation, spinning around on stage, while another Bodhisattva team added professional cosplay movements.

Other highlights included a celadon incense burner with a cloisonné pattern that gave off actual fragrance, and the twin lion stone lantern of Jungheung Mountain Fortress, formed by two participants combining their bodies to recreate its structure. The 'School Bell is Emille' team portrayed the Emille Bell (Sacred Bell of King Seongdeok) atop their bodies, while last year’s runner-up team once again presented the slender and tall bronze pagoda. Participants from Dongsanwon, a residential facility for persons with disabilities in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, received enthusiastic applause as they reenacted the 'Village School' scene from Kim Hong-do’s album of genre paintings through their gestures.

Participants are showcasing a makeup show themed on the "Mounted Figure-shaped Pottery" at the runway event for finalists of the "Gukjungbak Face Painting Play," held on the 19th at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Model Lee Hyejung, formerly a basketball player, became a polished stone dagger from the Bronze Age. She slipped inside a long, sword-shaped costume, put her arms together above her head, and walked sideways. Lee explained that after searching for an artifact that resembled her, she chose the long and pointed polished stone dagger, as it mirrored her own journey of self-refinement transitioning from athlete to model, much like the process of carving a stone tool. She spent about two and a half months preparing for her performance.

The artifact that received the highest score was neither a giant gold crown nor the state seal. Instead, it was a small piece of stationery from the Joseon Dynasty—a white porcelain inkwell shaped like a carp, used by scholars when pouring water over inkstones. University student Jeon Eunsul (22) donned a full-body carp costume and performed on stage, even lying flat and imitating a carp flopping after leaping out of water. After five judges assessed the stage performance, creativity, and other criteria, Jeon was awarded the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Grand Prize.

Jeon, who is approaching graduation, said she entered the contest to leave a mark of her own. The unexpected first-place win became a moment of affirmation for her, as a soon-to-be graduate still unsure of her talents. Fighting back tears after receiving her award, she shared, "This recognition gave me courage."

On the 19th, participants are taking a commemorative photo at the finals of the 'Gukjungbak Bunjang Play' held at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

Now in its third year, the National Museum Makeup Play began with the 2024 program 'The National Museum is Alive.' For the first time, it was expanded to a national scale this year, dramatically increasing participation: 275 teams and 643 individuals from across the country took part, over three times the 83 teams of last year. Of these, 50 teams advanced to the regionals in Chuncheon, Gongju, Daegu, and Jeonju, and 25 teams secured a place in the Seoul finals. Roughly 10,000 people attended the four regional competitions.

The way people enjoy artifacts at the museum has changed as well. No longer just reading explanations or looking at displays, participants now research shapes and history using 3D models and academic papers, make their own costumes, and become the artifacts themselves. Sometimes even local artifacts that had never been well-known took center stage. The exhibition space itself has been transformed from a place to observe, to a space for interpretation and play.

Yoo Hongjun, Director of the National Museum of Korea, commented on the event, saying, "Artifacts confined within exhibition halls have come alive in the present."

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