The Whanki Museum presents a selection of public's favorites

Mark Tetto poses in front of numerous Kim Whanki (1913-1974) paintings at the Whanki Museum in central Seoul last week. [WHANKI MUSEUM]

The Whanki Museum in Jongno District, central Seoul, presents “Museum Voice,” an exhibition that showcases some of the public's favorite Kim Whanki (1913-1974) paintings.

As part of International Museum Day, designated by the International Council of Museums in 2012 and celebrated on May 18 every year, the Whanki Museum posted 100 pieces from its collection on social media back in March, and the top 30 most popular pieces are being exhibited as part of “Museum Voice.”

Kim’s oil painting “Plum Blossoms and Jar” (1957) received the most votes.

Some of the other selected paintings by Kim on display include “Sacred Heart (Sacre-coeur)” (1957), “Jinhae Landscape” (1952) and “10-VIII-70 #185” (1970) (which is part of Kim’s “Where, in What Form, Shall We Meet” series).

In addition to Kim's works, audio recordings from 70 citizens are available via a QR code in front of each piece that detail their feelings about the paintings.

American TV personality and businessman Mark Tetto, who lives in Korea and is best known as a cast member of JTBC’s “Non-Summit” (2014-17), spoke during a press event last week.

“I think the power of Korean art museums is ‘connection,’” Tetto, who is an honorary ambassador for The Whanki Museum's International Museum Day events, said in Korean. “White porcelain jars [referring to Kim's 'Plum Blossoms and Jar' painting which features a moon jar] teach us Korea’s tradition and history and helps connect the past and future.”

“Museum Voice” continues until July 10. Admission is 15,000 won ($12) for adults and encompasses visits to all exhibitions in the museum. For more information about the Whanki Museum, visit the website.

BY SHIN MIN-HEE [shin.minhee@joongang.co.kr]