An agency whose mission has long centered on protecting national heritage, the newly renamed Korea Heritage Service has a new mandate: to fashion heritage to modern tastes. Choi Eung-chon, the inaugural administrator of the agency, said renaming the 79-year-old Cultural Heritage Administration on May 17 reflected a change in the institution’s focus toward providing “services” that enable the public to take advantage of national heritage. “Take Gyeongbokgung for example.
That’s where Joseon kings oversaw matters of the state, but not anymore. We have to preserve the site, but just as important is how we put those historic sites to modern use,” Choi said in a recent interview with The Korea Herald, referring to the main Joseon-era (1392-1910) palace in Seoul. Modernizing heritage The May renaming of the agency solidified its commitment to modernizing traditions.
Offering a hint of the changes ahead, K-pop girl group NewJeans headlined the palace show commemorating the new name. The show took place in front of Gyeongbokgung’s Geunjeong Hall -- a venue chosen to build on the growing awareness of the Joseon-era building. “Many people came to appreciate the true beauty of the hall when BTS performed there,” Choi said, referring to the seven-member band’s performance in October 2020.
Choi explained that the Gucci Cruise fashion show at Geunjeong Hall added momentum last year, gradually shifting how people look at historic sites. “Heritage isn’t something to b.
