On May 9th, a special event ‘Sarangbang Concert’ will be held at Pilam Seowon, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Jangseong-gun, Jeollanam-do, where visitors can fully enjoy the fragrance of history and traditional culture. This concert is expected to unravel the historical value of the World Heritage Pilam Seowon with a popular sensibility, featuring vivid Confucian scholar stories directly told by Korea’s leading history storyteller, Lecturer Seol Min-seok. In the tranquil space of the Seowon, which embraces a long history, a venue for culture where the whole family can learn and enjoy together will unfold.
UNESCO World Heritage Pilam Seowon, Blossoming K-culture with ‘Sarangbang Concert’
On May 9th, the ‘Sarangbang Concert’ will kick off at the tranquil Pilam Seowon in Jangseong-gun, Jeollanam-do. This event, planned as the first program of the ‘World Heritage Pilam Seowon K-culture 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 story in an old Seowon. This is an attempt to reinterpret the historical and cultural values of Pilam Seowon with a modern sensibility to make it more accessible to the public.
Pilam Seowon is one of the ‘Korean Seowon’ 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 Seowon, 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 record heritage, including National Treasure No. 587.
Pilam Seowon’s Jipseonggwan and the Relics Exhibition Hall, which completed three years of restoration work recently, have been reborn as digital exhibition spaces, going beyond simple relics exhibitions. Through video and sound, visitors can experience the immersive beauty of the four seasons of Seowon, 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 Confucian scholar Spirit at Pilam Seowon
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 Seowon’s Cheongjeoldang, will vividly cover the academic achievements and noble integrity of Hasa Kim In-hu, enshrined at Pilam Seowon, as well as the deep meaning of Joseon Neo-Confucianism and the life of a Confucian scholar and student. A 10-minute work life 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 Confucian scholar culture, which might otherwise feel outdated, more interestingly to modern people, greatly helping them deeply understand the value of Pilam Seowon.
The opening musical performance signaling the start of the talk concert is also an unmissable attraction. In this performance, 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 tradition instruments will provide visitors with a special emotional experience where tradition and modernity beautifully harmonize, adding to the concert’s dignity.
The Whole Family Enjoys culture experiential activity, Feeling the Breath of Pilam Seowon
Beyond the lectures, the ‘Sarangbang Concert’ offers visitors the opportunity to directly experience Confucian scholar culture through various experiential activity booths. Operating from 2 PM to 5 PM around Pilam Seowon in a free-participation format, the experiential activity booths are diversely arranged for the whole family to enjoy. ‘Confucian scholar Fan Drawing,’ 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 tradition crafts by making ‘Jangmyeongnu bracelets,’ and immerse themselves in the world of beautiful calligraphy at the ‘Confucian scholar’s Book – writing and drawing Writing’ 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 experiential activity are available for participation on a first-come, first-served basis without prior reservation, 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 experiential activity 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 Seowon, so visitors can comfortably enjoy the feast of history and culture without worrying about parking.
This ‘Sarangbang Concert,’ taking place at UNESCO World Heritage Pilam Seowon, will go beyond a simple history lecture, offering a special opportunity to experience Korea’s proud Confucian scholar culture with all five senses through diverse experiential activity and performance. We hope that you will create precious memories with your family and friends in the beautiful Seowon where past and present coexist, and rediscover the deep value and beauty of our traditional culture.
