Joseon Annals Gather in Busan: Rare Royal Records and Portraits on Display
Creatrip Team
4 days ago
Busan Museum’s special exhibition “Records and Culture of Joseon, Passed to Ten Thousand Generations” brings together four surviving copies of the Joseon Wangjo Sillok (Joseon Dynasty Annals) for the first time in 420 years, alongside about 190 royal artifacts including the Taejo Sillok (first volume) and Joseon royal portraits (eojin). The show marks the UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting in Busan and aims to present Korea’s documentary heritage to international delegates. Highlights include the 500‑year‑old Jeonju archive copy of Taejo Sillok (National Treasure), late Joseon royal portraits that survived wartime evacuations and a post‑war fire, the 1861 portrait of King Cheoljong (Treasure) bearing his handwritten inscription, the aerial‑view Folding Screen of the Eastern Palaces (Donggwoldo, National Treasure), and artworks documenting Busan’s role in Joseon–Japan diplomacy such as scenes of the Choryang Japanese settlement (Choryang Waegwan) and records of the Joseon Tongsinsa diplomatic missions (World Documentary Heritage). The exhibition is free and runs through August 30.
