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The Diplomat
7 days ago
- General
- The Diplomat
The Bodhisattva and the Shrine: Cultural Repatriation and Diplomacy in Japan-South Korea Relations
Unresolved colonial histories and collective traumas continue to shape relations in East Asia through significant historical objects.A 14th-century gilt bronze statue of Kanzeon Bodhisattva was recently returned to Japan from South Korea, following a prolonged legal battle between the two countries over current ownership. The statue had been stolen from Japan's Kannon Temple in 2012 – but South Korea's Buseok Temple claimed to be its rightful owner, pointing out it had only made its way to Japan after being stolen from Korea centuries before. A 2023 court decision, which overturned a previous ruling in favor of Buseok Temple, stated that Kannon Temple had gained legal ownership of the statue through adverse possession. The judgment sparked backlash among Koreans who viewed it as rewarding historical theft. The international movement in favor of returning stolen cultural heritage is gaining momentum. While the pace of restitution remains uneven, governments, museums, and even private actors are increasingly responding. However, the return of looted artifacts is not just about righting historical wrongs; it is also a measure of cultural diplomacy and soft power. In this emerging landscape, the choices made by states and nonstate actors reveal what kind of long-term global values they seek to project. While many of the most widely known cases of stolen art persist in Europe, unresolved colonial histories and collective traumas continue to shape relations in East Asia through significant historical objects, such as the contested Bodhisattva statue, which is now housed at the Tsushima Museum. But not all repatriations have followed this uncertain path. South Korea recently welcomed back Gwanwoldang, a Joseon-era royal shrine building, which had stood in Japan for the last century. Choi Eung-chon, head of the Korean Heritage Service, praised the development as 'an exemplary case that actualizes the values of mutual respect and empathy through cultural heritage.' He added, 'We hope it will become a symbol of cultural solidarity and future-oriented cooperation between Korea and Japan.' The shrine was transported to Japan in 1924, during Japan's colonial rule over the Korean Peninsula. Though bilateral talks to give the shrine back to South Korea began in 2010, the handover gathered momentum once Japanese archaeologist and ethnologist Sato Takao stepped in with his full support after becoming chief priest of Kotoku-in Temple, where the shrine had been moved in the 1930s. Despite facing pressure from right-wing Japanese nationalists, Sato advocated for the return of Gwanwoldang throughout negotiations, citing both the shrine's historical origins and preservation benefits. He also personally financed the meticulous dismantling and transport of the structure. According to Sato, 'It is a global trend to return cultural heritage taken out during the imperialist era. What matters is the mindset.' Such examples of progressive leadership remain rare in the realm of repatriation, even while countries and communities increasingly demand accountability that goes beyond symbolic gestures. Museums and governments often refuse the repatriation of artifacts, for reasons ranging from conservation to 'universal' platforming, and legal ownership. By contrast, Sato's proactive repatriation demonstrates how nonstate actors can swiftly facilitate relationships and soft power through ethical choices that lay the groundwork for lasting diplomatic bridges and regional trust. Recovering such objects – whether seized, purchased, or gifted – typically relies on political will and legal channels, often straining diplomatic efforts during years of stalled negotiations. This can discourage diplomatic relations on other fronts, as potential allies become locked into avoidable ethical stalemates. With East Asia already heavy with colonial histories and implications, repatriation is a relatively accessible – if largely neglected – tool for geopolitical strategy. The case of the Bodhisattva statue exemplifies a fractured moment in Japan-South Korea relations, marked by theft on both sides as well as international norms that sidestep deeper issues of colonialism and imperialism. While ongoing battles for artifacts continue under comparable constraints throughout the world, Japan and South Korea also share heritage diplomacy successes that can serve as a model for such disputes. The Gwanwoldang shrine – currently in storage in Paju, South Korea and awaiting restoration – is an example of how artifacts of significance can not only be given back with mutual dignity and even admiration between actors, but how they can fuel further exchanges that would have been unlikely beforehand. During the official ceremony at the National Palace Museum in Seoul, Sato announced to the audience, 'We will discuss ways to raise a 100-million yen fund to support academic exchanges on Korean and Japanese cultural heritage and donate it to the Overseas Material Cultural Heritage Foundation. It took 24 years to completely return the Gwanwoldang to Korea. I'm proud to finish something important.'
Korea Herald
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Korea heritage institutions to offer special palace programs for marginalized groups this fall
Some 980 individuals will have the opportunity to experience royal court cuisine, nighttour at Gyeongbokgung The Korea Heritage Service's Royal Palaces and Tombs Center, in collaboration with the Korea Heritage Agency, will invite socially underserved groups to experience special programs at Korea's royal palaces in the latter half of this year, offering them an opportunity to explore the nation's royal heritage. The special event will offer some 980 individuals the opportunity to participate in a nighttime palace tour and a program featuring traditional herbal tea at Gyeongbokgung, one of Seoul's five Joseon-era (1392-1910) palaces, in central Seoul. Applications for the event will open from Tuesday until July 30 through the KHA's website. The final list of selected participants will be announced on Aug. 14 and notified individually. The program is open to people with disabilities, people from multicultural families or low-income households, residents of rural or fishing communities and veterans — individuals who may have limited access to cultural experiences, according to the two institutions. The tea program, titled "Taste of Suragan," is an immersive cultural event that offers participants a hands-on experience of royal court cuisine, centered around the theme 'see, eat, enjoy and be moved by the royal court culture." A total of 700 individuals will be invited to participate in the program, which will run from Sept. 10 to 14. Gyeongbokgung's Starlight Night Tour is a special cultural event held at the royal palace, where visitors can enjoy a traditional Korean meal at Sojubang, the royal kitchen, and a traditional Korean music performance, accompanied by expert commentary. It will invite some 250 people and run through Oct. 13 to Nov. 3.
Pink Villa
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Lim YoonA, Lee Chae Min's Bon Appétit Your Majesty confirms August premiere with time-slip posters, here's all you need to know
Exciting news awaits fans of fantasy and romance dramas! tvN has officially confirmed that Bon Appétit, Your Majesty will premiere in August. However, the exact date has yet to be revealed. The channel has recently dropped fresh promotional posters that offer a vivid glimpse into the story's rich blend of history, culinary art, and slow-burn romance. The drama is based on a widely loved web novel. Lim YoonA and Lee Chae Min capture time-crossed tension in new poster The newly revealed main poster beautifully captures the contrast between the drama's two central figures. At the top, Yeon Ji Young (played by Lim YoonA) stands in the midst of a busy Joseon-era kitchen. Dressed in a modern white chef's uniform and flashing a confident smile, she appears both out of place and utterly focused. Meanwhile, seated below her is King Lee Heon (played by Lee Chae Min), draped in rich royal garments and positioned on an ornate jade throne. A lavish table overflowing with dishes that fuse Korean and Western flavors sits before him. He gazes forward with a satisfied expression, suggesting both his power and his discerning taste. The tagline emblazoned across the poster reads, 'Let's prepare the finest royal feast that even a tyrant will never forget.' Character posters reveal Yeon Ji Young's dream and King Lee Heon's deadly demands Individual character posters offer deeper glimpses into the minds of the main characters. Yeon Ji Young's quote read 'I've always dreamed of being a three-star chef… but today, I've become the tyrant's chef.' It reveals her initial shock and conflicted feelings as she confronts unfamiliar surroundings and mounting pressure in the palace. In contrast, King Lee Heon's statement, 'If, even for a single day, the food does not suit my taste, you will be sentenced to death,' sets a chilling tone. It highlights the stakes Ji Young faces daily and raises curiosity about the king's rigid standards and emotional complexities. About Bon Appétit, Your Majesty At the heart of Bon Appétit, Your Majesty is an extraordinary plotline. Yeon Ji Young is a talented French cuisine chef from the present day. However, she finds herself mysteriously transported 500 years into the past. She ends up in the palace of a feared monarch, King Lee Heon. He not only rules with an iron fist but is also infamous for being obsessively picky about his food. Thrust into the heart of the royal kitchen, Ji Young must survive the unfamiliar customs of a bygone era. On top of that, she faces the daily risk of angering a tyrant who could end her life over a single dish that fails to meet his standards. The project marks the return of renowned director Jang Tae Yoo. He's best known for his works such as My Love from the Star, Tree With Deep Roots, Lovers of the Red Sky, and Painter of the Wind.
Korea Herald
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Gat returns as ‘it' item with viral cultural moments
When "Kingdom," Netflix's first original K-drama series, was released in 2019, the sight of zombie-fighting noblemen wearing a variety of hats sparked global curiosity, with 'Joseon hats' even showing up in Amazon shopping carts. The Joseon-era thriller ignited a fascination with "gat" — an umbrella term for traditional Korean hats. Historically, gat came in a wide range of styles, each tailored to the wearer's social status, profession and occasion. What's commonly recognized today as a gat — the tall, black, wide-brimmed sheer hat — is called "heungnip," and was worn by noble scholars, and crafted from horsehair and bamboo. It has reemerged as a striking performance 'it' item, crossing K-pop, ballet and street dance. Here's how the gat has returned to the spotlight — as a show-stealing, silhouette-defining, viral prop. Demon boy band in gat 'I'm all you need, I'mma be your idol,' the boyband sings onstage, black gat on their heads and robes swirling. The crowd erupts in thunderous cheers and viewers at home watching the film are left hypnotized. Netflix's animated hit 'Kpop Demon Hunters' has been making major waves, soaring on music charts worldwide, and quickly climbing to No. 1 on Netflix's global Top 10 chart for English-language films as of Thursday. Directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans and released June 20, the film offers more than just a fun storyline and dynamic soundtrack — it's packed with cultural references deeply rooted in Korean heritage. Kang has shared in various interviews that she wanted to create something that celebrates her Korean heritage and showcases Korean culture. Among the breakout stars of the film are the Saja Boys, a demon boy band that goes on a full visual journey — from the bubbly, saccharine look of 'Soda Pop' to the dangerously alluring concept of 'Your Idol.' In that final transformation, they return to their original demon selves as grim reapers, sporting traditional gat, flowing hanbok and sleek black boots. For the finale, Kang said it was important to highlight the iconic Korean grim reaper look using the traditional gat, choosing to light the characters in silhouette to emphasize its shape. Gat en pointe in contemporary ballet One variation of gat in particular — the "jeongjagwan," worn indoors by noblemen — has become an unlikely ballet icon. Associated with the image of Nolbu, the greedy brother in the Korean folktale of Heungbu, the jeongjagwan evokes strong associations with wealth and pride in the Korean culture. So when a ballerino stepped onstage wearing the so-called 'Nolbu gat,' puffing smoke from a long pipe, audiences were stunned in the best way. The scene caused a stir in Korea's ballet world, not least because it came from a small, newly founded company, the Yunbyul Ballet Company. Since its premiere in June 2024, 'Gat' has taken off, recently wrapping a sold-out six-city national tour. Choreographed by Park So-yeon, the omnibus of interconnected short pieces is themed around different traditional gat, from the iconic heukrip to the jeongjagwan, and the ornate "jokduri" traditionally worn by women in ceremonial dress. Park said the idea was inspired by the global buzz around the gat sparked by the Netflix zombie drama 'Kingdom.' Since the gat changes in color and shape according to social status and occasion, the ballet uses these variations to create distinct images, moods and characters across its scenes. Black-and-white drama with gat flips In 'World of Street Woman Fighter,' the latest edition of Mnet's hit dance survival franchise, a Mega Crew Mission became one of the show's most viral moments. The performance video by Korean crew Bumsup, released on June 18, quickly racked up over 6.8 million views in a single day, surpassing 14.7 million by Thursday. Dancer Honey J opened the performance with slow, isolated movements of her neck and torso, creating an eerie, dreamlike atmosphere. And the gat was chosen early on as a central marker of Korean identity. With the concept rooted in nightmares and fear, the team aimed to channel the ominous aura of the grim reaper. Traditionally associated with black, the grim reaper was reimagined through white cropped blazers reminiscent of a Korean funeral robe creating stronger visual effect. Another striking moment came during a high-angle segment, when dancers flipped and used their gat as dramatic props to create traditional East Asian visual motifs. The team had applied white masking tape to the inside of the usually black mesh brim, creating a bold black-and-white contrast when turned. The video sparked a fun moment in the comments section, where official institutions like the Cultural Heritage Administration, the National Museum of Korea and the Korea Tourism Organization chimed in, calling it a 'heritage-level' performance. hwangdh@
Korea Herald
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Riddle me this
Looking to find something unique? Shop for the latest 'it' items at the National Museum of Korea, look for one-of-a-kind vintage items with an American vibe at a Hongdae store. Feeling restless? Head outdoors for a weekend glamping. Hunting down museum goods The National Museum of Korea has always enjoyed a steady trickle of visitors to its gift shop, where history gets a stylish twist. Recently, however, a fresh wave of enthusiasm has been sweeping through the store. Fans of Netflix's hit animated film "Kpop Demon Hunters" are flocking to get their hands on the "authentic" goods inspired by the traditional items referenced in the film. The tiger and magpie badge, which very much resembles Derpy and the three-eyed magpie from the film and is a playful nod to the traditional duo often seen in Joseon-era minhwa folk paintings, has already sold out but will be restocked soon, according to the museum. Other hot items include gat-inspired accessories such as bookmarks, pencil tops and keyrings. One standout is the Ilwol Obongdo collection, featuring pouches and bags printed with the majestic image of five mountain peaks, the sun and the moon. Historically, this image from the folding screen was reserved for kings. In the film, it forms the backdrop to the 'Golden' stage where the fierce trio, Huntrix, performs. Don't skip the museum itself. It offers a rich journey through Korea's cultural heritage and is the perfect place to escape the summer heat while connecting with history. If you would like to look specifically for the Ilwol Obongdo and tiger-magpie painting, visit the Calligraphy and Painting section on the second floor of the museum. National Museum of Korea 137 Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul Mountain glamping getaway at Spoon Camping deep in the mountains is not just for seasoned campers anymore with places providing convenience for those seeking an escape into nature. For those without equipment or a desire to set up a tent themselves, Spoon Glamping in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, offers a ready-made retreat with stunning views and cozy comforts. Nestled high in a quiet mountain village, Spoon Glamping offers a surreal landscape and an interior design that evokes an almost exotic atmosphere. The site is divided into two areas: the glamping zone and the caravan zone. One major advantage of the glamping zone is its panoramic mountain view. Each glamping tent is equipped with a barbecue grill and a fire pit, perfect for late-night conversations or roasting marshmallows for dessert. Between the room and the grill is a small outdoor table, where guests can place their food and enjoy grilled pork belly or seafood over charcoal while seated in classic camping chairs. However, the idyllic scenery and fresh mountain air come at a cost — a compromise with nature. Mountain moths and mosquitoes are inevitable visitors. While insect repellents are provided, their effectiveness may vary. Spoon Glamping 201 Cheonggun-ro 2985 beon-gil, Gunnae-myeon, Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province Shop vintage items and collectables at Little Riddle Whether you are a seasoned collector or just a curious beginner, looking for vintage items and collectables can be exciting and rewarding — especially when you get the one that others cannot find elsewhere. And from online marketplaces to neighborhood shops, places to discover one-of-a-kind treasures are limitless. If you are wandering around Hongdae, head over to Little Riddle, a select shop that offers vintage goods in an atmosphere that feels distinctly American. It is only a minute- walk to the shop from Exit No. 6, Hongik University Station on Subway Line No. 2. The store sells vintage-style knitwear, magnets, keyrings, T-shirts, mugs and Kit-cat Klocks, made in the US since 1932, to name a few. All of these items would make great gifts to bring to a housewarming party or to have for yourself. The shop also features a display ranking the top eight incense scents, making it easier for customers to choose. Stick cost about 4,000 won each or 10,000 won for a set of three. hwangdh@ jaaykim@ junheee@
