Zero: Encountering North Korea on the Path of Folklore

Exhibition Title: 《Zero ZERO: North Korea Met on the Path of Folklore》 Exhibition Place: National Folk Museum, Special Exhibition Hall I Exhibition Period: August 12 (Wed), 2026 ~ February 14 (Sun), 2027 Exhibition Content: 316 items of 346 pieces of folklore materials from North Korea, related to life and culture in the North Exhibition Composition Prologue Part 1: Each Memory Part 2: Facing Each Other Part 3: One Memory Epilogue Exhibition Catalog Catalog Page Link Exhibition Guide Operation Guide [Operation Period: September 1 (Tue) ~ February 12 (Fri), 2027] View Detailed Information Exhibition Overview In 《Zero ZERO: North Korea Met on the Path of Folklore》, 'Zero' does not mean simply emptiness or absence, but rather the meaning of 'empty space'. It is a place of open beginning, where one temporarily sets aside familiar perceptions and preconceptions, and starts a new understanding. It signifies a starting point, like beginning again from Zero Base. Just as we begin again from Zero Base, we would like to temporarily set aside the thoughts we have considered as already known, and view North Korea not as a strange existence, but as another form of life formed on the same foundation of history and culture. "As with the saying 'mountain is mountain and water is water,' when we look at things as they are, we can finally meet the true nature of the object. North Korea is no different. It is a space that has long felt distant, even though it is the closest place. The distance may have been created not only by geographical boundaries but also by the time during which we did not fully know each other. This exhibition aims to gradually narrow that distance by looking at it through the most everyday and human perspective of folklore. The exhibition explores the cultural foundations and regional diversity that have been shared between North and South for a long time, and presents the lives, aesthetics, and memories of people in the North before us today. Following the folk materials that carry traces of life, we hope this will be a time to rediscover the roots of the culture we have shared, to understand each other, and to consider the possibilities of coexistence and reconciliation. At the end of this journey, what you will meet is not an unfamiliar North Korea, but another memory of life that has been connected with us for a long time." I hope this encounter marks a new beginning, a "zero," for mutual understanding. While Part 1 starts from the cultural roots that are like individual memories, the natural environment and historical background have created diverse lifestyles in each region. Part 1 explores the various aspects of life in the northern region of the Korean peninsula through folk materials from Hwanghae, Kaesong, Pyeongyang, and Hamgyong provinces. Hwanghae showcases a lifestyle shaped by its vast plains and the sea, while Kaesong reveals its historical significance as the former capital of the Goryeo dynasty and its role as a commercial center. Pyeongyang highlights urban culture and religious beliefs through sites like the Pyeongyang Castle and the Musinduk shrine, while Hamgyong conveys the regional identity centered around cities like Wonsan, Hamhung, and Chongjin, as well as Mount Baekdu. The everyday tools, records, paintings, and songs from each region not only depict different ways of life but also prompt us to reflect on the foundation of the culture we have all shared. Part 2: The folk culture of North Korea contains the same values and aesthetics of beauty that we share. As you follow the daily lives of people who celebrated festivals, managed their households, learned, ate, and shared, you will encounter shared cultural practices. The Bongsan mask, Gangnyeong mask, Haeju mask, and the Bukcheong lion dance masks are folk art forms that embody the spirit and joy of the community. The Haeju lacquerware boxes showcase the beauty of everyday crafts, while the Haeju earthenware jars reflect the warmth of sharing meals. The writing and painting supplies (munbangsahu) represent a life that valued learning. Pyongyang cold noodles and Kaesong dumplings represent the distinctive culinary traditions of North Korea that continue to this day. These artifacts hold the memories of the daily lives and the collective experiences of the people of North Korea. By following their stories, you can slowly and thoughtfully connect with a life that is similar to our own.