Waving Digitally: Korea Celebrates 80th Liberation Anniversary with Taegukgi Exhibitions Across Seoul

A variety of Taegukgi (Korean national flag) themed events are taking place throughout Seoul to mark the 80th anniversary of Korea’s Liberation.

The National Museum of Korea unveiled an ultra-high-definition digital content, the “Denny Taegukgi,” on its Open Yard and Shinsegae Square electronic screens starting July 17. The Denny Taegukgi, granted by Emperor Gojong to his diplomatic advisor Owen Denny, is recognized as the oldest surviving Taegukgi in Korea. Made by sewing together red and blue cloth, its unique feature is the four trigrams depicted in blue, closely resembling the current national flag. The flag was donated to the National Museum by William Ralston in 1981 and was designated as a national treasure in 2021.

To fully capture its detail, the museum digitally scanned the actual Denny Taegukgi at an impressive 10.8 billion pixels, enabling an intricate restoration that reveals the flag’s textile structure and subtle color nuances. A minute-long video showcases the dynamic fluttering of the flag across giant screens, with a special anamorphic illusion enhancing a three-dimensional Taegukgi on Shinsegae Square’s electronic display. Visitors can see the original Denny Taegukgi at the National Museum’s permanent exhibition “Faces Rediscovered: 80th Anniversary of Liberation” until October 12. Meanwhile, the digital video runs at Shinsegae Square through August 15 and will be continuously displayed on the Open Yard screen during the exhibition period.

Beginning on August 9, Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture will present a “Jingwansa Taegukgi” wrapping exhibition at Nodeul Island, transforming building exteriors into massive flag installations. The Jingwansa Taegukgi, created around 1919, symbolizes resistance against Japanese colonization and was made by painting over the Japanese flag with ink. The exhibition features artistic installations, Taegukgi pinwheels, and a giant flag across all of Nodeul Island, along with a modern history photo exhibition and portraits of female independence activists. A commemorative event on August 9 will include musical performances, a children’s choir, the lighting of a large Taegukgi, and a special letter reading by actress Go Doo-shim.

The National Museum of Korea is also holding a special exhibition, “Conquering the World on Two Feet,” from July 25 to December 28. The exhibit displays Olympic gold medalist Sohn Kee-chung’s medal, laurel wreath, and an ancient Greek helmet, highlighting his achievements. AI-generated videos provide a three-dimensional look at Sohn’s life and journey to the Olympics.

“Liberation 80: Korea Memorial Road in Seoul,” a walking event shining a spotlight on historic sites of Korea's independence movement, continues until August 8. Three themed routes pay tribute to female independence fighters, poet Yun Dong-ju, and missionary Homer Hulbert. Participants receive commemorative goods and a visitor’s passport after completing each tour.

Commemorative goods are also being released to mark the anniversary. The National Museum has unveiled limited-edition memorabilia featuring the Denny Taegukgi, including a statuette of the National Museum’s bronze thinking Bodhisattva holding the flag and other collectible items. The Bank of Korea has minted two types of Liberation 80th Anniversary commemorative coins, with pre-orders open from August 11 to September 2. Korea Minting, Security Printing & ID Card Operating Corporation is also launching limited edition gold bars featuring the Mugunghwa (Rose of Sharon) and Jingwansa Taegukgi. Commemorative stamps will be available starting August 14, the day before Liberation Day.

An exhibition celebrating the beauty of the Mugunghwa, Korea’s national flower, is currently on display at the National Sejong Arboretum until August 17, featuring more than 200 varieties of the flower, bonsai, and interactive programs.

By offering a diverse array of exhibitions, experiences, and symbolic memorabilia, the 80th anniversary of Liberation is transformed into a meaningful festival, bridging Korea’s history with its future.

Note “This article was translated from the original Korean version using AI assistance, and subsequently edited by a native-speaking journalist.”

Photo=Republic of Korea Policy Briefing