A highlight of the renovated exhibitions is a vibrant LEGO sculpture depicting the intricate Jongmyo Jerye rituals. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, May 17 (Korea Bizwire) – The sacred spaces of the Jongmyo Shrine, where Korea’s ancient kings paid tribute to their royal ancestors, have undergone renovations and will reopen to the public with new exhibitions beginning May 17.
Hyangdaecheong Hall and Mangmyoru Pavilion, integral to the Jongmyo Jerye royal ancestral rites, have been refurbished, offering visitors an immersive experience into this profound cultural heritage.
Lim Gyeong-hee, a curator at the Cultural Heritage Administration’s Royal Palaces and Tombs Center, stated at a press briefing, “We have curated the exhibitions to allow visitors to easily and comfortably appreciate the historical significance of Jongmyo and its ancestral rites.”
The newly renovated exhibition at Hyangdaecheong Hall is divided into two sections, referencing the musical cues that marked the start and conclusion of the ceremonial music during the rites.
In one hall, picture books in Korean and English illustrate the creation process of the sacred spirit tablets, or shinju, which embodied the souls of kings enshrined at Jongmyo. Displays explore the varying shinju for monarchs, nobility, and celebrated historical figures honored at the shrine, illuminating their profound symbolism.
The newly renovated exhibition at Hyangdaecheong Hall (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
A video presentation traces Jongmyo’s evolution from 1395 to 1991, spanning nearly 600 years of the shrine’s sacred history.
A highlight of the renovated exhibitions is a vibrant LEGO sculpture depicting the intricate Jongmyo Jerye rituals, recently inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
This inaugural display features over 20,000 LEGO bricks meticulously assembled by artist Colin Jin to recreate a banchado, or illustration, capturing the solemn moment when the king personally presided over the ancestral rites.
“The LEGO display is the ‘killer content’ of our new exhibition space,” said curator Lee Hong-ju. “Against the backdrop of Jongmyo’s courtyard, it vividly portrays 209 figures, including the king, crown prince, officiants offering ceremonial cups, and royal relatives observing the rites.”
Jin skillfully combined LEGO pieces of varying shapes and sizes to depict the king, crown prince, ritual officiants, musicians, dancers, and civil and military officials witnessing the ceremony. The sculpture even recreates 26 types of traditional instruments used during the rites.
The LEGO masterpiece will be on display for the next two years.
The Mangmyoru Pavilion (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
For the first time, the interior of the Mangmyoru Pavilion, a scenic elevated structure overlooking a pond, will be open to the public. Historically, it served as an observation deck where kings reflected on their ancestors while visiting Jongmyo.
Visitors can ascend the pavilion, taking in the picturesque surroundings and capturing memorable photos. Exhibits and videos share the stories of those who have tended and managed Jongmyo over the centuries. Hands-on activities, like assembling a model of Jongmyo’s main hall, are also available.
“As you experience the sanctity of Jongmyo, where the spirit tablets of kings, queens, emperors, and empresses of the Joseon Dynasty and Korean Empire eras are enshrined and venerated through ancestral rites, we hope you will reflect on the value of this tangible and intangible heritage,” Lim Gyeong-hee, the curator, remarked.
The Hyangdaecheong Hall exhibition will be a permanent installation, while the Mangmyoru Pavilion will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. On weekdays, visitors can tour the shrine grounds for an hour with a guide before viewing the exhibits, while weekend and holiday access allows for self-guided exploration until 30 minutes before closing.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
