Artifacts strut the runway at National Museum’s costume contest

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Artifacts strut the runway at National Museum’s costume contest

Published: 28 Sep. 2025, 15:30 Updated: 28 Sep. 2025, 21:31

LEE JIAN
[email protected]

Audio report: written by reporters, read by AI

″Dress Like a Museum Exhibit″ contest finalist Lee Ji-eun, costumed as the Stone Seated Bhaisajyaguru Buddha from the Unified Silla era, walks down the runway of the competition's award ceremony at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on Sept. 27. [YONHAP]

History came alive — literally — on Saturday at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan District, central Seoul.

Human embodiments of ancient Korean artifacts, such as pottery, jewelry, Buddha statues and paintings, strutted down a red-carpet runway in styles true to their original forms — gliding, scuttling or crawling on all fours — as thousands cheered from the museum’s outdoor plaza steps.

Audience are seated on the steps of the National Museum of Korea's Open Plaza for the ″Dress Like a Museum Exhibit″ ceremony in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on Sept. 27. [LEE JIAN]

"I thought it was hilariously creative, and the fact that these are all made by regular people is amazing as well," said U.S. tourist Hilary Mann, 63, who was in the audience. "Seeing them walk around like that kind of reminded me of a scene from 'Beauty and the Beast.'"

Out of 83 submissions to this year’s “Dress Like a Museum Exhibit” contest, 10 finalists took to Saturday's stage. The event, hosted by the National Museum of Korea, debuted under its current title this year after a smaller pilot last year, and is now set to become an annual tradition.

Four office workers, led by member Kim Si-ho are dressed as the rock-carved Gautama Buddha statue at the ″Dress Like a Museum Exhibit″ ceremony at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on Sept. 27. [YONHAP]

The grand prize went to two men dressed as a pair of Silla Dynasty (57 B.C.–A.D. 935) gold earrings: Kang Han-min as the “left earring” and his cousin, Kwon Hyung-soon, as the “right.” The duo, perfectly synchronized, crabwalked down the runway as human-sized earrings. They received 1 million won ($709) and a certificate from the Director of the National Museum of Korea, You Hong-june.

“You can say this is what happens when a dad and an uncle get too into things,” Kang said with a sheepish smile, pointing at his costume. “It all started with my daughter, who’s in fifth grade. We entered the contest for her, but somewhere along the way, the two of us got more into it than she did. We ended up creating multiple versions until we finally made this one.”

Kang Han-min as the “left earring” and his cousin, Kwon Hyung-soon, as the “right” pose for photos on the red carpet of the ″Dress Like a Museum Exhibit″ ceremony at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on Sept. 27. [LEE JIAN][LEE JIAN]

The Gold Earrrings of Hwango-dong from Gyeongju [NATIONAL MUSEUM OF KOREA]

The Gold Earrings of Hwango-dong from Gyeongju — the artifact that inspired them — is a national treasure that represents the social hierarchy and aesthetic sensibilities of the early 6th century. Kang and Kwon’s replica was made from bubble wrap, wires and hanji (traditional Korean paper), coated with clear lacquer.

Also taking the stage were four mothers from Changwon, South Gyeongsang, garbed as the Gold Crown from Seobongchong Tumulus.

“All our kids are between the ages of 6 and 9, and they’re starting to feel shy and experience failure and defeat. As mothers, we wanted to take part in this contest to show our kids confidence,” said team member Kang Hyo-jeong. Their runway performance included an enthusiastic — if not pitch-perfect — rendition of “Golden,” the soaring anthem from Netflix’s hit animation "KPop Demon Hunters."

Four mothers dressed as Silla Dynasty's Gold Crown from Seobognchong Tumlus pose for photos on the red carpet of the ″Dress Like a Museum Exhibit″ ceremony at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on Sept. 27. [LEE JIAN]

Another standout was Kim Jae-in, dazzlingly costumed as the Gilt-bronze Seated Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva from the Goryeo Dynasty (918–1392). With her golden gown flowing in the wind, a tall crown and a veil, Kim looked strikingly close to the actual statue. She and her teammate Park Han-sol, a makeup artist, won the second-highest prize. Kim, a hanbok (traditional Korean clothes) photographer, said, “It’s such a well-preserved artifact, and we thought it would be a fun challenge to recreate it while doing something different from our usual work.”

Contestant Kim Jae-in of the″Dress Like a Museum Exhibit″ poses as the Gilt-bronze Seated Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on Sept. 27. [YONHAP]

Gilt-bronze Seated Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva [LEE JIAN]

The museum's director You underscored the youthful vibrancy that the "Dress Like a Museum Exhibit" contest brought to the National Museum of Korea.

“Museums are often thought of as solemn places,” he said Saturday. “But in reality, they are alive. The National Museum of Korea is showing the world what a ‘living museum’ can be — where the building and its relics come alive through visitors.”

The National Museum anticipates surpassing 5 million annual visitors this year, marking a record for the institution. Some 6,000 people attended Saturday’s ceremony, per the institution.

National Museum of Korea's Director You Hong-june speaks during the ″Dress Like a Museum Exhibit″ ceremony at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on Sept. 27. [YONHAP]

Other finalists included Jang Min, dressed as a Goryeo celadon vase, who maintained her poise even when her silk headpiece blew away, and Ahn Ji-yeon, with her son in elementary school, who presented a cardboard version of a Silla earthenware funerary figure in the shape of a warrior on horseback. Though their costume collapsed mid-walk, the boy saved the moment by shouting into the mic: “Are you having fun? Make some noise if you are!” — to which the audience enthusiastically responded, along with affectionate laughter.

Jang Min, as a Goryeo celadon vase, walks down the runway of″Dress Like a Museum Exhibit″ ceremony at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on Sept. 27. [YONHAP]

Ahn Ji-yeon and her son, costumed as an earthenware funerery artifact walk down the red carpet of the″Dress Like a Museum Exhibit″ ceremony at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on Sept. 27. [YONHAP]

Three Japanese nationals also drew attention in full-body suits depicting a tiger and two magpies from the traditional folk painting "Hojakdo."

“I love the National Museum of Korea and come here almost every week,” said Ikumi Saito. “When I heard there was a costume event, I was determined to sign up.” The trio said they were inspired by "KPop Demon Hunters," which features Korean cultural heritage throughout its plot.

Japanese trio whose costumes are inspired by Korea's folk painting "Hojakdo" pose for photos on the runway of the ″Dress Like a Museum Exhibit″ ceremony, held at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on Sept. 27. [YONHAP]

The award ceremony opened with performers dressed as the boy band “Saja Boys” from the hit Netflix animation. Children especially screamed with delight as the effervescent intro of “Soda Pop” blasted through the speakers.

Shin Hye-jo, who attended with her 7-year-old daughter and her friend, both in hanbok, said, “Our daughters really love 'KPop Demon Hunters,' so we thought this event could be both fun and educational.”

Performers dressed as the Saja Boys of "KPop Demon Hunters" perform during the ″Dress Like a Museum Exhibit″ ceremony at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on Sept. 27. [YONHAP]

Young audience members in traditional dresses watch the ″Dress Like a Museum Exhibit 2025″ ceremony at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on Sept. 27. [LEE JIAN]

Tourists also joined the festivities. Adele Malet of France said her Korean friend recommended the event: “The National Museum was already on my list, so there was no reason not to come.”

Some came in costume, even if they hadn’t made the finalist cut. So Hee-min and Kim Min-jeong, two office workers in their 30s, costumed as two of Buddhism’s Four Guardian Kings and laughed about their experience. "It feels a little embarrassing to be out in public like this, but we’re glad we still got to show it off," said So.

So Hee-min, right, and Kim Min-jeong speak to local reporters at the ″Dress Like a Museum Exhibit″ ceremony at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on Sept. 27. [LEE JIAN]

Carly Hwang and her husband, Conor Heelan, from the United States, had wandered in after spotting the crowd. "We don't really have a plan today," said Hwang. "But there is surely always something happening in this city."

Visitors to the ″Dress Like a Museum Exhibit 2025″ ceremony take a selfie at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on Sept. 27. [YONHAP]

BY LEE JIAN [[email protected]]