Eunpyeong District's "Seoul Geumseongdang Mushindo" Dedicated to Prince Geumseong from "The King and the Man Who Lives" to Become National Heritage

Housed at the Eunpyeong History Hanok Museum

On May 7, Eunpyeong District in Seoul announced that eight Mushindo paintings from Geumseongdang, a shamanic shrine dedicated to Prince Geumseong—who gained attention through the film "The King and the Man Who Lives"—were designated as National Intangible Folk Cultural Heritage by the National Heritage Administration on May 6.

The works designated for listing are the "Seoul Geumseongdang Mushindo," housed at the Eunpyeong History Hanok Museum. Seoul Geumseongdang is a shamanic shrine that enshrines both King Geumseong, the mountain deity of Geumseongsan in Naju, and Prince Geumseong, the sixth son of King Sejong of the Joseon Dynasty. The shamanic paintings were created to be enshrined at the shrine.

The appearance of a Musindo during the 2005 Geumseongdang survey. Provided by Eunpyeong District.

Prince Geumseong was executed after attempting to restore King Danjong to the throne, and after his death, he was venerated as a deity among the people. In the film "The King and the Man Who Lives," which attracted over 16.6 million viewers to become the second highest-grossing film in Korean history, actor Lee Junhyuk portrayed him as a symbol of loyalty who stood against power to protect King Danjong until the end. Since the film's success, there has been a steady stream of visitors seeking to trace Prince Geumseong’s legacy at Seoul Geumseongdang. Seoul Geumseongdang, located in Jingwan-dong, Eunpyeong District, is the only remaining Geumseongdang shrine in Seoul.

The eight Mushindo paintings depict deities who govern human fortune, illness, longevity, and blessings. These include Mangindo-sa, Manginsamshinmanura, Byeolsang, Sambulsahalmoni, Samgungaegissi, Daesinbulsa, Changbugwangdae, and Malseonang. These works are regarded as important resources for understanding shamanic beliefs in the Seoul and Gyeonggi regions in the 19th century. With clear origins and transmission context, they have been recognized for their high historical value.

Surviving 19th-century Mushindo paintings are extremely rare, which adds to their significance, and these works are also highly regarded for their artistry and form. This designation is the first in the field of Mushindo as National Intangible Folk Cultural Heritage in 56 years, following the designation of the "Seoul Guksadang Mushindo" in 1970.

The "Seoul Geumseongdang Mushindo" was temporarily stored in the Seoul Museum of History during the redevelopment of Eunpyeong New Town in 2005. The original owner later donated it to Eunpyeong District, and in November 2024, it was transferred to the Eunpyeong History Hanok Museum.

With this designation, Eunpyeong District now possesses two items designated as National Intangible Folk Cultural Heritage, following the listing of "Seoul Geumseongdang" in 2008. Every year, Geumseongdang hosts the "Geumseongdangje" ritual on the birthday of Prince Geumseong, where local residents pray for longevity and national prosperity.

An official from Eunpyeong District stated, "This designation as National Intangible Folk Cultural Heritage is a meaningful achievement, as it recognizes the historical, artistic, and communal value of Seoul Geumseongdang and the Geumseongdangje ritual at a national level. We will continue to discover, preserve, and pass down local cultural heritage, striving to make Eunpyeong a city where tradition and modernity coexist as a hub of culture and the arts."

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