Discovering the Heritage of the Korean Empire Through Cookie Run: Special Exhibition at Deoksugung Palace

Special Exhibition "In Search of the Lost National Heritage" Begins December 9
Full Opening of Dondeokjeon Hall's First and Second Floors at Deoksugung Palace for the First Time

Gyeongungung Signboard

'Brave Cookie' embarks on a quest to find lost national heritage at Deoksugung Palace.

The National Heritage Administration announced on the 8th that, in collaboration with Devsisters, it will hold a special exhibition titled "Cookie Run: In Search of the Lost National Heritage" at Dondeokjeon Hall in Deoksugung Palace from December 9, 2025 to March 1, 2026, to commemorate National Heritage Day.

This exhibition leverages the intellectual property (IP) of the mobile game Cookie Run to convey the value of national heritage, and for the first time, the entire first and second floors of the 250-pyeong Dondeokjeon Hall will be fully opened to the public.

Portrait of Emperor Gojong

The exhibition is themed around Brave Cookie and friends from Cookie Run setting out to fulfill the dreams that Emperor Gojong could not achieve. Approximately forty artifacts and three Cookie Run imaginative paintings inspired by the imperial heritage of the Korean Empire will be on display.

Works specially created by five holders of National Intangible Heritage titles will also be exhibited, including the National Seal of Korea, a compass, a fan, traditional knots, and musical instruments.

A 27-meter-long LED media wall will be installed along the entire wall of the first-floor exhibition space in Dondeokjeon Hall. Visitors can experience the value of national heritage as they walk through a virtual journey from historical Hanseong to present-day Seoul.

Restored National Seal of Korea made by Kim Younghee, Okjang

A restored National Seal of Korea, originally crafted in 1897 to mark the proclamation of the Korean Empire, will be displayed in a dedicated space. The National Seal of Korea was taken by the Japanese authorities in 1911, returned in 1946, but went missing during the Korean War. Although the original no longer exists, illustrations and production regulations remain in historical records, making restoration possible. The restoration was carried out by Kim Younghee, a master craftsman and holder of National Intangible Heritage for jade craft.

On the first floor, the media art piece "Jeongipumsong, Embracing Time" will also be presented. This large-scale video installation showcases natural heritage sites such as Jeongipumsong Pine Tree in Songnisan, Boeun, Chungcheongbuk-do-selected as this year's Natural Heritage-and scenic spots like Suncheonman Bay.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.