A Special Exhibition at the Seoul Museum of History: TaePyeong - A Journey to 18th Century Seoul
Encountering a Peaceful and Prosperous Era at the Seoul Museum of History on a Cold Winter Day
Looking for a warm place to walk indoors on a cold day during my lunch break, I stopped by the Seoul Museum of History . I happened upon the special exhibition ‘TaePyeong: The Flourishing Era of Seoul in the 18th Century’ and ended up viewing it. Honestly, just looking at the title gave off a strong sense of history, but once I went in, it was a more interesting and entertaining exhibition than I expected.
From the entrance of the exhibition hall, the title ‘TaePyeong,’ written in blue against a yellow background, immediately caught my eye. The blend of modern design and traditional Chinese characters was very impressive. The exhibition title, I learned, refers to the peaceful and prosperous era of King Yeongjo and King Jeongjo during the late Joseon Dynasty . I initially thought, “Ah, is this going to be a dry history lesson?” but as I followed the exhibits, I could vividly feel the life and times of the people in Seoul back then.
Exhibition Content: A Journey to 18th-Century Seoul
The exhibition was largely divided into three sections. The first section showcased the appearance of Seoul during that era through pictures and texts, with the large Doseong Daeji-do (map of the capital) particularly impressive. Comparing it with present-day Seoul, it made me think, "Ah, this place was so important back then." The streets and buildings of Hanyang (old name for Seoul) depicted in the map felt like taking a time trip to 18th-century Seoul.
Various artifacts were displayed in the second section, and everyday items particularly stood out. From spoons and chopsticks made of copper to shoes! I had the random thought, “Would food have tasted better if eaten with those?" It was interesting because each and every artifact offered a glimpse into the daily lives of people back then.
The last section recreated Hanyang, a commercial and cultural center of the time. The spaces like Sachaekjeom (book rental shop) and Yakbang (pharmacy) were particularly interesting. They were like today's neighborhood bookstores or pharmacies, and it was fascinating that people back then led their daily lives visiting such places. Especially, the scene of people borrowing and reading books at the Sachaekjeom felt connected to today’s library culture.
A Personal Realization: The Seoul I Live In
While viewing the exhibition, I realized that the city I live in now isn't just a modern metropolis. In the past, people laughed and cried, lived here as well, and their traces have continued to this day. The term "TaePyeong Seongdae," meaning a peaceful and prosperous era during the reigns of King Yeongjo and King Jeongjo, really resonated with me. I thought that their ideals of striving to create a peaceful and stable society are still valuable today.
Realizing that the streets and buildings I pass by every day aren’t just simple spaces, I now feel like I will look at this city with more affection. Especially, the moment I compared the Doseong Daeji-do with modern-day Seoul was really special. Feeling the connection between the past and present, I was able to have a new understanding of the city I live in.
In Conclusion...
This exhibition, which I found by chance (thanks to the cold weather?), gave me a new perspective on the city of Seoul. I hope you too will experience the story of the peaceful and prosperous era of the late Joseon Dynasty at this place, where you can spend a warm and meaningful time after a short walk.
