Cheongwadae Sarangchae Opens Second-Half 2026 Special Exhibition, “Islands, Fields, and Mountains Rise”

- Exhibition from September 16 to December 31 highlights how island, field, and mountain landscapes have shaped local life and culture

- Cultural content from three special self-governing provinces to be introduced in stages, alongside “Full of Colors: Regions Shaping K,” a permanent exhibition opened in June featuring content from the five megaregions

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister CHAE Hwi-young, MCST), together with the Regional Cultural Service (President JUNG Kwang-ryul, RCS), will hold the special exhibition “Islands, Fields, and Mountains Rise” on the first floor of Cheongwadae Sarangchae from September 16 to December 31. Following the June 4 opening of “Full of Colors: Regions Shaping K,” a permanent exhibition featuring cultural content from the five megaregions and running through December 31, the new special exhibition was organized to take a deeper look at the distinctive cultural values and roots of Korea’s regions that underpin “K-Culture.”

While the permanent exhibition broadly introduces the diverse cultures passed down across the country and today’s “K-Culture,” the special exhibition starts with the question, “Where does the distinct character of each region come from?” Through photographs, videos, objects, and other media, it presents a multidimensional view of how the different topographies and ecological environments of islands, fields, and mountains have shaped local life and culture. The area beside the gift shop on the first floor of Cheongwadae Sarangchae has also been transformed into an exhibition space where visitors can discover the appeal of regional culture in the heart of the city and take a break. Visitors can encounter the lives and wisdom of local communities that have developed distinctive cultures by adapting to their natural environments.

Cultural Content from Jeju, Jeonbuk, and Gangwon, Interpreted by Local Creators, to Be Introduced in Stages

The exhibition will introduce, in turn, cultural content from the three special self-governing provinces of Jeju, Jeonbuk, and Gangwon. Creators and planners active in the regions will take part directly, offering fresh interpretations of local culture and life from within the regions rather than from an outside perspective.

The Jeju exhibition, opening September 16, will feature Jeju-based brands including Jeju Sanghoe, ODUJEJ, and Jaejudojoa, as well as local creators PARK Hun and GO Eun-hye. Jeonbuk content will be added on October 14 and Gangwon content on November 11, expanding the exhibition in stages. Beginning December 2, a combined special exhibition will bring together cultural resources from all three regions in one place, along with on-site exchange and dialogue programs for local stakeholders and visitors. In October, the permanent exhibition will also be fully renewed with new cultural content from each of the five megaregions, offering a broader look at regional cultures across the country.

Weekly “Culture Day” Performances Every Wednesday, Plus Weekend Special Performances and Regional Culture and Arts Hands-on Programs

During the exhibition period, “Culture Day” performances will take place every Wednesday at 12:10 p.m. The fall lineup centers on artists recommended by each region, allowing visitors to experience the regional cultures featured in the exhibition through the performing arts. On September 19, musician CHU Da-hye will give a special performance marking the opening of the Jeju special exhibition, presenting the emotions of prayer and consolation embodied in Jeju gut (shamanic rituals) and muga (shamanic songs) with a contemporary sensibility. On September 30, MARO, a prominent Jeju arts organization, will take the stage for the weekly performance. The exhibition will also offer related hands-on programs that enable visitors to experience and understand traditional Korean colors and crafts, as well as the distinctive cultural resources of each region. Detailed schedules and participation information are available on the Cheongwadae Sarangchae website (https://cwdsarangchae.kr) and the “Sarangchae_Full of Colors” Instagram account.

An MCST policy official stated, “The lives and cultures that local communities have cultivated in the distinct natural environments of Jeju, Jeonbuk, and Gangwon have become precious roots of today’s ‘K-Culture.’” The official added, “We hope this exhibition will help visitors discover anew the distinctive appeal and cultural value of each region.”