With BTS’ comeback performance at Gwanghwamun now over, national cultural institutions are rolling out programs aimed at keeping the momentum going for visitors in South Korea. The events include exhibitions, hands-on activities and performances introducing the depth and range of Korean culture.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said on the 22nd that five institutions are running BTS-related special programs: the National Museum of Korea, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, the National Folk Museum of Korea, the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History and the National Library of Korea.
The ministry said the programs were designed to help visitors experience K-culture.
The National Museum of Korea released an English-language video in which a museum guide introduces cultural treasures BTS members are known to favor, including the pensive bodhisattva statue and the moon jar. The National Museum Foundation of Korea, working with HYBE, developed merchandise using objects from the museum’s collection and is selling the items at museum shops and other outlets.
The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art is running a program for international visitors, “MMCA: Meet the K-Art,” offering expert-led explanations through April 19.
The National Folk Museum of Korea is operating an outdoor “K-playground” where visitors can try traditional games such as tuho, spinning tops and jegichagi, featured in the holiday episode of the YouTube series “RUN BTS!” The museum also holds a Saturday performance, “K-Heung Hanmadang,” featuring BTS songs with Korean elements — including “IDOL” and “ON” — along with introductions to traditional instruments, rhythms and hanbok referenced by the group. The program runs through April 30.
The National Museum of Korean Contemporary History is displaying a “time capsule” donated by BTS and related videos through May 31. It will also run a children’s education program, “Arirang of Rock (樂),” from April through June, linking the 100th anniversary of director Na Woon-gyu’s film “Arirang” (1926) with BTS’ “Arirang” performance (2026) to explore the song as popular culture in modern and contemporary history.
The National Library of Korea is holding a book display at its Digital Library under the theme “Books That Inspired BTS Music!” The exhibit brings together literary works said to have inspired BTS members, including Kim Yeong-rang’s “Until the Peonies Bloom” and Yun Dong-ju’s “Boy.”
The ministry said, “This event will turn the BTS performance into a comprehensive cultural festival where Korea’s history, art and literature come together,” adding that it expects the effort to raise South Korea’s cultural profile and help attract K-culture tourists.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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