'The Human Yi Sun-sin' — 369 Artifacts Reveal a Leader Who Recorded Even Servants' Merits
Creatrip Team
4 months ago
A special exhibition at the National Museum of Korea, running from Oct. 28 to Mar. 3, showcases 369 items centered on Admiral Yi Sun-sin, emphasizing the person behind the legend rather than just military victories. Marking Yi's 480th birthday and Korea's 80th Liberation anniversary, the show draws on primary records like the National Treasure "Nanjung Ilgi" (War Diary) and "Imjin Jangcho" (royal reports) to explore Yi’s leadership, care for his troops, and moral reflection. Organized into four sections — preparation and victory; trials and comeback; personal reflection at the end of life; and how history remembered him — the exhibition displays six national treasures (15 items), 39 treasures (43 items), and other cultural assets including weapons and family heirlooms. Curators highlight rare originals from the Yi family and stress this exhibition aims to prompt visitors to reflect on Yi’s humanity through original documents rather than dramatized portrayals. (Imjin Jangcho: a collection of reports Yi submitted to the king during 1592–1594.)
