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Korea Since 1894: National Museum of Korean Contemporary History Audio Guide

Korea Since 1894: National Museum of Korean Contemporary History Audio Guide

National Museum of Korean Contemporary History · Permanent Collection

Trace Korea’s modern and contemporary history from 1894 to the present through reform movements, the Korean Empire, Japanese colonial rule, independence activism, and the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea. This audio guide helps English-speaking visitors understand how freedom, equality, sovereignty, and national identity became central themes in modern Korean history. The story continues through Liberation, the Korean War, postwar survival, industrialization, democratization, the 1988 Seoul Olympics, the 1997 financial crisis, inter-Korean relations, Hallyu, and today’s connected society. Alongside major events, the guide highlights personal objects, voices, posters, technology, music, and everyday experiences that make national history feel close and human.

작품별 오디오 가이드 · 36작품 119트랙

History Gallery Orientation

Begin with the gallery overview before entering the object sequence. It frames Korea's modern and contemporary history from 1894 to the present, so visitors can read the following rooms as changing ideas of country, citizenship, and everyday life amid global upheaval.

History Gallery Overview
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History Gallery Overview

National Museum of Korean Contemporary History · 1894 to the present

Part 1: Modern Nationhood and Reform

Start Part 1 with popular reform demands in 1894 and Korean Empire modernization. Move through sovereignty, equality, communications, and new infrastructure as the first foundations of modern Korea.

Part 1. From 1894 to 1945: Longing for Freedom, Equality, and Independence
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Part 1. From 1894 to 1945: Longing for Freedom, Equality, and Independence

National Museum of Korean Contemporary History · 1894-1945

Japanese magazine with the photo of Jeon Bong-jun: Donghak Peasant Revolution
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Japanese magazine with the photo of Jeon Bong-jun: Donghak Peasant Revolution

Murakami Tenshin (photographer); publisher unknown · 1895

Korean Empire Modernization and Early Communications: Ericsson Telephone
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Korean Empire Modernization and Early Communications: Ericsson Telephone

Korean Empire government; L.M. Ericsson · From 1897; displayed telephone manufactured in 1895

Part 1: Independence Government in Exile

Continue into the Provisional Government materials, where independence becomes an organized, transnational effort. Symbols, fundraising records, documents, and wartime exile in Chongqing should be read as a connected government-in-exile story.

Korean Provisional Government in Exile
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Korean Provisional Government in Exile

Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea · 1919-1945

Receipt for contribution issued by the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea
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Receipt for contribution issued by the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea

Korean Commission to America and Europe; issued in Seo Jae-pil's name · c. 1919-1921

Kim Gi-won's, Roh Yeong-jae's and Kim Deok-mok's resident ID cards in Chongqing
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Kim Gi-won's, Roh Yeong-jae's and Kim Deok-mok's resident ID cards in Chongqing

Chongqing municipal authorities · c. 1940-1945

Jungoe Daily censored by Imperial Japan
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Jungoe Daily censored by Imperial Japan

Jungoe Daily; Government-General censorship authorities · February 21, 1928, issue no. 464

Dongyangmok wrapping paper
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Dongyangmok wrapping paper

Dongyang Yeomjik Co.; associated with Kim Deok-chang · 1919, inferred

Ferry Boat Without an Owner
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Ferry Boat Without an Owner

Lee Gyu-hwan, director; Na Woon-gyu, actor · 1932

Poster encouraging the use of the Japanese language
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Poster encouraging the use of the Japanese language

Japanese colonial military or propaganda authorities · c. 1944

Badge of the Second Detachment of the Korean Independence Army
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Badge of the Second Detachment of the Korean Independence Army

Korean Independence Army, Second Detachment · 1940-1945

Part 2: Liberation, State-Building, and War Survival

Part 2 begins with liberation and the rebuilding of Korean-language education, then moves into the Korean War and civilian survival. Let the route connect national recovery with ordinary people's hardship.

Part 2. From 1945 to 1987: For Peace, Democracy and Prosperity
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Part 2. From 1945 to 1987: For Peace, Democracy and Prosperity

National Museum of Korean Contemporary History · 1945-1987

Liberation and rebuilding Korean-language education(Hangul Spelling Textbook)
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Liberation and rebuilding Korean-language education(Hangul Spelling Textbook)

Jang Ha-il · After 1945

Badugi and Cheolsu (The First Korean Textbook)
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Badugi and Cheolsu (The First Korean Textbook)

Ministry of Education; Park Chang-hae related · 1948

Korean War civilian survival
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Korean War civilian survival

Not applicable · 1950-1953

Good Luck wishes on the Taegeukgi(무운장구 태극기)
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Good Luck wishes on the Taegeukgi(무운장구 태극기)

Unknown Korean War-era writers · 1950s

Shoeshiner's box
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Shoeshiner's box

Hwang In-deok · c. 1950-1953

Part 2: Protest, Development, and Public Voice

Continue from the April 19 Revolution through expressway construction, television, overseas labor, sport, and the Free Press Declaration. This section is best read as prosperity, sacrifice, and democratic demands unfolding together.

April 19 Revolution and student protest
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April 19 Revolution and student protest

Not applicable · 1960

Flyer from the April 19 Revolution
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Flyer from the April 19 Revolution

Lee Byeong-tae · 1960

Miniature of the Memorial Tower: The Seoul-Busan Expressway, Export-led Growth, and the Human Toll
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Miniature of the Memorial Tower: The Seoul-Busan Expressway, Export-led Growth, and the Human Toll

N/A (historical context) · 1970

Korea's first television Goldstar VD-191
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Korea's first television Goldstar VD-191

Goldstar Company · 1966

Hip protector: Labor Dispatch to West Germany
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Hip protector: Labor Dispatch to West Germany

Used by Kim Gwang-se · 1963-1977

Glove of Kim Gi-soo, first world champion boxer of Korea
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Glove of Kim Gi-soo, first world champion boxer of Korea

Used by Kim Ki-soo · 1966

The 1974 Declaration for Press Freedom under the Yushin Regime
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The 1974 Declaration for Press Freedom under the Yushin Regime

Dong-A Ilbo journalists · 1974

Part 3: Democratization and New Civic Voices

Part 3 opens with the June Democracy Movement, direct presidential elections, and labor culture. Move into this section as the transition from authoritarian rule toward expanded civic participation after 1987.

Part 3. 1987 to the present: Me-The Republic of Korea-The World
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Part 3. 1987 to the present: Me-The Republic of Korea-The World

National Museum of Korean Contemporary History · 1987 to the present

Postcard in memory of the late Lee Han-yeol
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Postcard in memory of the late Lee Han-yeol

Lee Han Yeol Memorial Museum · 1987 event commemorated; postcard issue year unknown

June Democracy Movement and Direct Presidential Elections: Campaign poster for presidential candidate
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June Democracy Movement and Direct Presidential Elections: Campaign poster for presidential candidate

13th presidential candidates' campaign committees · 1987

Friends of Workers
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Friends of Workers

Unknown publisher · 1987

Part 3: Technology, Pop Culture, and Global Korea

Continue through semiconductors, youth music, the Seoul Olympics, Hallyu, and global concerts. The route shows Korea entering a more connected world through technology, mass culture, and international visibility.

The world's first 64MB DRAM: Semiconductor and electronics rise
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The world's first 64MB DRAM: Semiconductor and electronics rise

Samsung Electronics development team · 1992

Seotaiji and Boys, First album
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Seotaiji and Boys, First album

Seotaiji and Boys · 1992

HODORI: 1988 Seoul Olympics as Korea's Global Arrival
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HODORI: 1988 Seoul Olympics as Korea's Global Arrival

Kim Hyeon (designer) · 1988

Hallyu and K-pop : SUPER JUNIOR World tour concert photobook
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Hallyu and K-pop : SUPER JUNIOR World tour concert photobook

Super Junior; SM Entertainment · 2013, inferred; tour began in 2011

Part 3: Crisis, Inter-Korean Cooperation, and Mobile Connectivity

Close the object-based Part 3 sequence with the 1997 financial crisis, export recovery, inter-Korean cooperation at Gaeseong, and mobile phones. Read these stops as a society negotiating crisis, recovery, and connection.

Mobile phone : 1997 IMF foreign currency crisis and export recovery
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Mobile phone : 1997 IMF foreign currency crisis and export recovery

Samsung Electronics · 1997-1999

North Korean workers' uniform in the Gaeseong Industrial Complex
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North Korean workers' uniform in the Gaeseong Industrial Complex

Gaeseong Industrial District Foundation · c. 2004 onward

Samsung SH-100
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Samsung SH-100

Samsung Electronics · 1988