Il fascino di Seoul (The charm of Seoul)

The Korean Cultural Institute in Rome, in collaboration with the Seoul Museum of History, hosts Il fascino di Seoul (The Charm of Seoul), an exhibition that traces the history of the capital, from the times of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897) to the present day, and has as its main theme the concept of Pungryu, or the ability to savor time, elegance and the pleasure of life in harmony with nature, in this case, of the Korean capital.

The exhibition is divided into three sections: the first, entitled Ancient Landscapes of Seoul in Painting, presents paintings depicting the Pungryu of the literati of the late Joseon era. Among the works on display are “Sangchun-yaeondo”, which depicts an outdoor banquet on a spring day, and "Tapdong-yeoncheop", which depicts moments of encounter among the residents of Hanyang, the ancient name for Seoul. The paintings vividly convey the search for serenity, relaxation, and beauty in the daily life of this era.

The second section, entitled Today's Pungryu Meets Newtro, presents contemporary Pungryu culture in Seoul, with a particular focus on the Euljiro neighborhood. The atmosphere of this neighborhood is recreated in the exhibition space through sets and neon signs, along with elements of Seoul culture that reinterpret tradition in a contemporary way, including Soban works, traditional Korean tables, created by contemporary artists, and Hanbok, traditional Korean dresses, revisited with a modern twist.

Finally, the third section, entitled Experiencing Seoul's Daily Life Directly, is an interactive space dedicated to direct visitor participation. In a picnic area set on the banks of the Han River, visitors can take photographs and sample the now-famous Han River Ramyeon (traditional Korean noodles).

The exhibition is part of the Touring K-Arts project promoted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea and the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE).

Photo: official poster of the exhibition