On May 9th, a special 행사 ‘Sarangbang Concert’ will be held at Pilam 서원, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Jangseong-gun, Jeollanam-do, where visitors can fully enjoy the fragrance of history and traditional 문화. This concert is expected to unravel the historical value of the World Heritage Pilam 서원 with a popular sensibility, featuring vivid 선비 stories directly told by Korea’s leading history storyteller, Lecturer Seol Min-seok. In the tranquil space of the 서원, which embraces a long history, a venue for 문화 where the whole 가족 can learn and enjoy together will unfold.
UNESCO World Heritage Pilam 서원, Blossoming K-문화 with ‘Sarangbang Concert’
On May 9th, the ‘Sarangbang Concert’ will kick off at the tranquil Pilam 서원 in Jangseong-gun, Jeollanam-do. This 행사, planned as the first program of the ‘World Heritage Pilam 서원 K-문화 Project,’ adds the character ‘사 (史)’ for ‘history’ to the ambiance of ‘Sarangbang,’ a space where Confucian scholars conversed, embodying the meaning of sharing history 이야기 in an old 서원. This is an attempt to reinterpret the historical and cultural values of Pilam 서원 with a modern sensibility to make it more accessible to the public.
Pilam 서원 is one of the ‘Korean 서원’ inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2019, and it is the birthplace of Honam Neo-Confucianism, commemorating Hasa Kim In-hu, the scholar from whom the famous saying, ‘There is no place like Jangseong for scholarship,’ originated. Pilam 서원, which preserved its original form without being lost during numerous wars such as the Imjin War and the Manchu Invasion, showcases the essence of Joseon Dynasty architectural beauty and further illuminates its historical value through its 기록 heritage, including National Treasure No. 587.
Pilam 서원’s Jipseonggwan and the 유물 Exhibition Hall, which completed three years of restoration work recently, have been reborn as digital exhibition spaces, going beyond simple 유물 exhibitions. Through video and sound, visitors can experience the immersive beauty of the four seasons of 서원, and it has been created as an ‘edutainment’ space where visitors can learn history via touchscreens and children can joyfully engage with history in the children’s library, offering a special experience for visitors of all ages.
History Storyteller Seol Min-seok, Speaking about the 선비 Spirit at Pilam 서원
One of the highlights of this ‘Sarangbang Concert’ is a talk concert led by Lecturer Seol Min-seok, a representative history storyteller of Korea. This lecture, lasting approximately 60 minutes from 3:00 PM to 4:10 PM at Pilam 서원’s Cheongjeoldang, will vividly cover the academic achievements and noble integrity of Hasa Kim In-hu, enshrined at Pilam 서원, as well as the deep meaning of Joseon Neo-Confucianism and the life of a 선비 and student. A 10-minute 소통 session with the audience will also be provided after the lecture, offering an opportunity to satisfy their curiosity about history.
Lecturer Seol Min-seok has been greatly loved for delivering historical knowledge easily and entertainingly to the public through numerous popular broadcast programs such as tvN’s ‘Seol Min-seok’s Naked World History,’ ‘Yozemchaekbang: We Read Books for You,’ MBN’s ‘Greek Roman Mythology,’ and JTBC’s ‘Lecture Battle Show: The Swindlers.’ His excellent storytelling ability will introduce the 선비 문화, which might otherwise feel outdated, more interestingly to modern people, greatly helping them deeply understand the value of Pilam 서원.
The opening musical 공연 signaling the start of the talk concert is also an unmissable attraction. In this 공연, to be held on the wooden floor of Cheongjeoldang, a quartet of gayageum, haegeum, daegeum, and ajaeng will present a unique arrangement of popular songs into traditional Korean music. Modern music reinterpreted with 전통 instruments will provide visitors with a special emotional experience where 전통 and modernity beautifully harmonize, adding to the concert’s dignity.
The Whole 가족 Enjoys 문화 체험, Feeling the Breath of Pilam 서원
Beyond the lectures, the ‘Sarangbang Concert’ offers visitors the opportunity to directly experience 선비 문화 through various 체험 booths. Operating from 2 PM to 5 PM around Pilam 서원 in a free-participation format, the 체험 booths are diversely arranged for the whole 가족 to enjoy. ‘선비 Fan 가훈,’ where participants can capture Hasa Kim In-hu’s verses with a brush pen, and a ‘Yusaengbok Experiential Zone’ for children are prepared to provide special memories for kids.
Furthermore, visitors can experience 전통 crafts by making ‘Jangmyeongnu bracelets,’ and immerse themselves in the world of beautiful calligraphy at the ‘선비’s Book – 서예 and 가훈 서예’ and ‘Hangul Calligraphy’ booths. At the ‘Traditional Games Experiential Zone,’ visitors can enjoy playing games of old ancestors, such as Tuho (arrow throwing), Jegichagi (kicking shuttlecock), and Paengichigi (top spinning). All these 체험 are available for participation on a first-come, first-served basis without prior 예약, and will close when materials run out, so it is advisable to visit early.
On-site entry for the ‘Sarangbang Concert’ talk concert is available for the first 200 attendees (150 seated, 50 standing), and the 체험 booths can be freely used by anyone without separate application. For visitor convenience, a large parking lot is provided a 7-minute walk from Pilam 서원, so visitors can comfortably enjoy the feast of history and 문화 without worrying about parking.
This ‘Sarangbang Concert,’ taking place at UNESCO World Heritage Pilam 서원, will go beyond a simple history lecture, offering a special opportunity to experience Korea’s proud 선비 문화 with all five senses through diverse 체험 and 공연. We hope that you will create precious memories with your 가족 and friends in the beautiful 서원 where past and present coexist, and rediscover the deep value and beauty of our traditional 문화.
