Let's Go See the 'Wriggling Carp' in Person... National Museum to Exhibit Character Acting Grand Prize Artifact for a Month

“White Porcelain Carp-shaped Water Dropper” Recreated by Jeon Eunsul on Special Display from the 23rd
19th-century Joseon White Porcelain Donated by Lee Kun-hee
Experience the Fun of Comparing Character Acting with the Real Artifact

The National Museum of Korea will unveil the actual 'White Porcelain Carp-shaped Water Dropper' that inspired Jeon Eunsul, winner of this year's grand prize in the 'National Museum Character Acting Contest'. The public will have the chance to see the original artifact behind the widely discussed performance in which Jeon, dressed in a form-fitting costume, recreated the wriggling motion of a carp on the floor.

'White Porcelain Inkstone in the Shape of a Carp'. Made in the 19th century Joseon Dynasty, this white porcelain measures 9.4 cm in height and 10.6 cm in length, depicting a carp leaping upstream against the current. It was donated by the late Lee Kun-hee, former Chairman of Samsung. National Museum of Korea

The National Museum of Korea announced that from September 23 to October 22, the 'White Porcelain Carp-shaped Water Dropper' will be on display in the Celadon and White Porcelain Hall on the third floor of the permanent exhibition gallery. This small white porcelain piece from the 19th century Joseon Dynasty, measuring 9.4 cm in height and 10.6 cm in length, was donated by the late Lee Kun-hee, former Chairman of Samsung.

This water dropper vividly depicts the story of 'Deungyongmun', in which a fish that overcomes rough currents and ascends the Dragon Gate finally transforms into a dragon. The blue cobalt pigment on the lower part represents waves, capturing the dynamic moment when the carp leaps above the water's surface.

On September 19, at the finals of the '2026 National Museum Character Acting National Edition', 22-year-old university student Jeon Eunsul, who won the grand prize, brought the characteristics of this artifact to life using her entire body. She embodied the carp's body and scales with blue and white costumes, painted blue waves on her right arm, and performed by lying on the floor and wriggling, delighting the audience and drawing enthusiastic responses.

Jeon Eunseul, who won the grand prize at the '2026 National Costume Play of Gukjungbak,' is performing a performance where she lies on the floor and flaps her body, recreating the 'white porcelain fish-shaped water dropper.' Captured from Yonhap News TV video

For Jeon, who is preparing for employment, the story of the carp ascending the currents to become a dragon resonated with her own life situation. Through this exhibition, the museum aims to invite visitors to compare the winner's clever interpretation with the actual sculptural features of the artifact.

Yoo Hongjun, Director of the National Museum of Korea, stated, "This year's National Museum Character Acting Contest showed how our cultural heritage can meet people’s wit and imagination, coming to life in fresh and vibrant ways. I hope visitors will enjoy experiencing both the real 'White Porcelain Carp-shaped Water Dropper' that inspired the winning performance and its creative reinterpretation."

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