Busan Humanities Tour

A journey to discover Busan’s traces of humanities. Ancient Tombs in Bokcheon-dong / Bokcheon Museum / Dongnaeeupseong Imjinwaeran Museum The first destination is Dongnae, which has various historical sites and relics. The ancient tombs in Bokcheon-dong, which include the tombs of the Gaya Confederacy period’s ruling class, are considered as one of the most important cultural heritages for understanding Korea’s ancient culture. The Bokcheon Museum, on the other hand, displays many relics discovered from ancient tombs, showing Gaya’s excellent ironware culture and changes in ancient tomb styles. The Dongnae area has been a significant excavation site, where several relics have been discovered. During the metro construction in 2005, a moat of the Dongnaeeupseong Walled Town was found in the site, telling the tragic story of the Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592. The relics and remains of soldiers who died during the war were also unearthed hundreds of years later. The Dongnaeeupseong Imjinwaeran Museum, which shows the reproduction of the excavation, is located inside the Busan Metro Suan Station Office. Busan Museum / Busan Modern History Museum / National Memorial Museum of Forced Mobilization under Japanese Occupation The Busan Museum is the second destination in discovering the history of Busan, from prehistoric times to modern times, undergoing a few periods of turbulence. Built on the site of the former Oriental Development Company’s Busan Office, the Busan Modern History Museum shows the sorrows and painful times of Busan. After Korea’s independence, it was illegally used as the US Cultural Center in Busan for 50 years. The National Memorial Museum of Forced Mobilization under Japanese Occupation is where visitors can experience the cruelty of Japanese imperialists who took everything away during the Joseon period. Along with other stories, such as the Joseon coal miners, soldiers, and women’s labor corps, the story of Japan’s forced mobilization should be shared and remembered. Forty Stairs Cultural Center / Bosu Book Street The Korean War left many traces in Busan. In particular, the Forty Stairs Cultural Center exhibits vivid records of the lives of war refugees who had to go up and down the Forty Stairs a dozen times a day to go to the Busanhang Port, Busan Station, etc. During the most difficult times, people lacked books as well. The Bosu Book Street was established by street bookstores selling secondhand books. In this street, visitors still look for their required books as if they were in a treasure hunt. Choi Min-Shik Gallery / Yosan Literary Museum The Choi Min-Shik Gallery offers another way to recall those difficult times by exhibiting the photos of the refugees’ lives during the war, showing the photographer’s life and the world of artworks. In addition, the Yosan Literary Museum displays the literary works of novelist Kim Jeonghan, who was heavily criticized by powerful people who took advantage of the chaotic atmosphere at the time. Busan Cinema Center / Busan Museum of Art / Busan National Science Museum Now, Busan has become the heart of culture by overcoming the sorrows of the past and developing cultural spaces. In October, the Busan International Film Festival was held at the Busan Cinema Center. Since its establishment in 1998, the Busan Museum of Art has been the space to vitalize local art activities and create citizens’ emotional culture. In addition, the Busan National Science Museum offers citizens the opportunity to experience the world of science and imagination. Eternal Journey / F1963 Furthermore, the Eternal Journey bookstore serves as an exotic cultural space with the theme “book curation,” while the F1963, transformed from the old wire mill into a cultural complex, offers various cultural and art activities. Today, Busan is the city of culture and arts.