National Folk Museum of Korea, Paju

Overview

The National Folk Museum of Korea Paju is a pioneering "Open Storage" museum that breaks the traditional barrier between collection storage and exhibition. Unlike conventional museums where most artifacts are hidden in dark basements, this facility allows visitors to see tens of thousands of folk items, including ceramics, wooden furniture, and household tools, organized in massive floor-to-ceiling glass showcases. It serves as a specialized center for the systematic management and preservation of Korea's tangible folk cultural heritage.

History

Inaugurated in July 2021, the Paju facility was built to alleviate the storage saturation of the main National Folk Museum in Gyeongbokgung, Seoul. It was designed with a focus on "openness, shared use, and communication." Since its opening, it has transitioned the concept of a museum from a place of passive viewing to an active exploration center. In 2024, it introduced enhanced digital cataloging systems, allowing visitors to access detailed historical data about any item in the storage through their smartphones.

Things to see

• **Open Storage 4, 5, & 6**: Massive glass towers housing over 60,000 artifacts, including porcelain, earthenware, and stone items that create a stunning visual landscape.

• **Visible Storage**: A specialized area where visitors can observe professional curators performing actual conservation and restoration work through large glass windows.

• **Folk Archive**: A comprehensive library of digital and physical records, including photos, videos, and sounds of Korean traditional life and seasonal customs.

• **Media Wall**: A giant interactive digital installation in the lobby that visualizes the vast data of the museum's collection in a beautiful, artistic flow.

Things to do

• **Explore the Glass Vaults**: Walk through the towering rows of traditional Korean furniture and household items, experiencing the sheer scale of the nation's folk heritage.

• **Artifact Search**: Use the kiosks and digital tablets provided to look up the hidden stories, origins, and uses of the items displayed in the open storage.

• **Participate in Open Workshops**: Join scheduled educational sessions where conservation experts teach visitors how to handle and preserve traditional paper or wooden artifacts.

• **Photography Tour**: Take advantage of the museum's modern, symmetrical architecture and natural lighting, which make it a favorite spot for architectural and cultural photography.