The National Museum of Korea Emerges as a 'Hot Place' that Captivates the MZ Generation

Once regarded merely as a field trip or experiential learning location during school days, the National Museum of Korea has recently risen to prominence as a top tourist destination.

On weekends, as well as weekdays, it is bustling with numerous visitors, and instances of having to wait for an hour due to a full parking lot have become frequent.

The popularity of the National Museum of Korea is due to various factors. Unlike other countries' museums, which charge admission fees ranging from a few thousand to tens of thousands of won, the National Museum of Korea has a significant advantage in that most of its exhibitions are free to view.

Additionally, the museum's delicate curation and abundant attractions also serve to draw in visitors.

Museum Goods Leading the Museum Trend

Particularly among the MZ generation, the various 'goods' sold at the National Museum of Korea are experiencing explosive popularity. It's not uncommon to see people lining up from the morning to purchase these museum products.

The most popular item recently has been the magpie tiger badge. This badge resembles the tiger featured in the Netflix animation 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' and has gained immense popularity among young people.

Riding this wave of popularity, the National Museum of Korea launched various products themed around the 'Room of Thought' exhibition in collaboration with Starbucks starting from the 1st.

Affectionately known as 'Gukjungbak,' the National Museum of Korea has successfully transformed its previously somewhat dull image by developing 'goods' that can be enjoyed by all age groups.

Public reaction to this change has been very positive.

Many people consider this transformation significant as it has heightened interest in our cultural heritage and made Korea's largest museum a space that attracts visitors of all genders and ages.

In the first half of this year, the number of visitors to the National Museum of Korea approached 2.71 million, representing an increase of over 60% compared to the same period last year. It also marks the highest record since its reopening in Yongsan 20 years ago.

During the same period, sales of goods reached 11.5 billion won, achieving the highest performance on record.

Image sources: National Museum of Korea / News1, Magpie Tiger Badge / National Museum of Korea website, Netflix 'K-Pop Demon Hunters'