The “Taejo Eojin,” which was partially destroyed in a fire, is making a return in digital restoration form.
The National Palace Museum of Korea, as part of the Cultural Heritage Administration, announced on December 2nd that it will host a special exhibition marking the museum’s 20th anniversary titled “RE:BORN, Conservation Science Linking Time” on the second floor of the museum until February 1, 2026. The exhibition will feature the digital restoration of the “Taejo Eojin,” which was about halfway destroyed by a past fire, as well as the artifact presumed to be “Okryeom” from the Korean Empire.
This special exhibition, held in the museum’s hidden “Conservation Science Laboratory,” aims to visually showcase the 20-year journey of heritage preservation science and the revival of royal heritage through these techniques.
Part 1 of the exhibition, “Lab 1. Conservation Treatment, Extending Time,” focuses on the conservation treatment of cultural heritage. This includes the first-ever public display of “Okryeom,” an artifact believed to be from the Korean Empire, and explores the thought processes and decisions of conservation scientists. “Okryeom” is a beaded curtain featuring the character “喜” (happiness) and geometric patterns, which has been treated by the museum to reinforce its structure.
Part 2, “Lab 2. Analytical Research, Illuminating Time,” introduces the scientific analysis of cultural heritage to determine the techniques and periods of their creation. For instance, the “Najeon Gukhwa Neongkul Munui Box,” a piece of Goryeo lacquerware returned from Japan in 2023, underwent scientific investigation like X-ray radiography to ascertain its manufacturing techniques.
Finally, “Lab 3. Restoration and Reproduction, Reviving Time” offers a look at the digitally restored “Taejo Eojin.” The museum used glass plate photographs taken in the 1910s and the Jeonju Gyeonggijeon version to create the digital restoration in 2013. The process of this restoration is detailed in the exhibition.
As part of the exhibition’s programs, there will be special lectures by experts (three sessions in total) and educational programs for children (12 sessions total, aimed at 4th to 6th graders).