How Korea’s story of happiness is being told in Germany

Korea's cultural treasures are making an unprecedented appearance in Germany with happiness at the heart of their show.

Our correspondent Song Yoo-jin reports.

This gold crown and belt from Korea's 5th century Silla Dynasty, are making a rare visit to Germany, for the first time in over 60 years.

These national treasures are part of the "100 Ideas of Happiness. Art Treasures from Korea," an exhibition at Dresden Royal Palace, a result of years of collaboration between the National Museum of Korea and Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, one of the most prestigious museum networks in the world.

The partnership began in 2017 when SKD showcased its prized collections to Korea.

Now, the favor is being returned, with over 1-hundred-80 objects spanning from the Three Kingdoms Period to the Joseon Dynasty, making their way to Germany.

Claudia Brink and Baik So-jin are the curators.

"We start with works coming from the fifth and sixth century and up to the 19th and 20th century. And also, lots of genres, so we have sculpture, we have metal work, goldsmith work, precious objects, paintings, calligraphy."

"From my field, that this opportunity to present the Korean heritage in this volume, really it's impossible. We had like this kind of like a comparable size of exhibition in 1999 in Essen and that was kind of like the last biggest exhibition in Germany."

Though these artifacts differ in shape, size, and era, they share a common theme: happiness.

"Figurative earthenware from the Three Kingdoms period reflects wishes for a good afterlife. The Korean folding screen from the GRASSI Museum of Ethnology in Leipzig, '100 Signs of Happiness and Long Life,' captures traditional Korean ideas of joy and fortune. We wanted to introduce Korean cultural heritage and also share a message of hope and resilience."

This isn't just East meets West.

It's a bridge between cultures, told through a story that never gets old.

And in times like these, who couldn't use a little extra happiness?

Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News.