Highlights of the Donated Collections of Seokdang Museum

Hwang Mu-bong (1930-1995) is a second-generation new dancer who has contributed to revitalizing of the local dance and fostering future generations in Busan since 1945. His archives show the development of Busan dance history.

Hwang Mu-bong is a person who served as a bridge between the two types of dances while the Korean dance world was changing from the traditional dance to the new dance. 

He established the ‘Hwang Mu-bong Dance Institute’, named by himself, and trained 3,000 students. Also, the first municipal dance company in the country was established in Busan and he served as the first choreographer.

Cigarettes were imported in the 15th century in Korea but it became common in the 18th century. At that time, Dongnae Market in Busan was well known for a famous production center for producing cigarettes, which led to the birth of a folk song called Dambagu of Dongrae.

Until the use of electricity became common due to modernization, people lived by lighting with oil lamps. Oil was put in a container and a wick was made with twine on the lid of the lamp. The oil lamp has been illuminating the residents for a long time.

Traditionally the groom wore the official uniforms when getting married in Korea. People without a job cannot wear official uniforms, but they were only allowed to wear them on wedding days. Imagine a nice look of a groom in a fine wedding day in Busan.

This is an embroidered beret hat decorated with patterns of various colors. It is used by covering both ends of the pillow with a high number of sides. Mostly males are square and females are round. Imagine a bedding of an ordinary family's house in Busan.

Busan was the temporary capital during the Korean War. This student identity issued by the Seoul National University which established its temporary school in Busan in 1952. It shows that Korean students never stopped studying even during the War. 

Busan, the largest port city, has had many exchanges with Japan as its geographical location. In 1877, Choryang was opened for Japanese settlers according to the a treaty. This artifact was a marker that divided the boundary of the area for Japanese people.