Joseon in the World Expo
Published: 21 Jun. 2023, 20:05
YOON SUNG-MIN
The author is a political news editor of the JoongAng Ilbo.
In the 1880s, interest in the World’s Exposition grew in the Joseon Dynasty. The influence of Hansung Sunbo and Hansung Jubo — government newspapers created to introduce new culture and promote enlightenment policies — was significant. An article in Hansung Sunbo in 1884 reported, “There is nothing lacking in fancy goods and local products, and visitors can broaden knowledge by viewing unfamiliar items.” Considering that it is a mouthpiece of the government, it shows that the kingdom also was interested in the international exposition at the time.
Joseon officially participated in the 1883 World Expo in Chicago for the first time. Thirteen people were dispatched. They arrived in Chicago after a 35-day-long journey from Jemulpo, Incheon. Of the 13 people dispatched, 10 were members of the Korean traditional music troupe. King Gojong sent them with a plan to play the music when then U.S. President Grover Cleveland passed by the Korean Pavilion on the opening day.
After completing their mission, they returned home two days later. They could not stay longer due to the cost of accommodation. That was how the first Korean traditional music performance in the West was concluded.
The remaining three staffers exhibited items such as cotton cloth, bamboo shades, straw baskets and cabinets inlaid with nacre, also known as the mother-of-pearl. They looked out of place. The Chicago Expo was held to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ discovery of the Americas. It was a place where the U.S. got over the inferiority complex of Europe and showed off its technology and cultural level.
There was also an exhibition hall called “Anthropology Hall,” which displayed the racial superiority of white Americans. Japan decorated a vast exhibition hall and attracted the attention of American visitors.
In the arena of imperialist powers, the exhibition of a country swayed by imperial power looked shabby. Yoon Chi-ho, who had just graduated from Emory University at the time, wrote in his diary that he was “heartbroken” to see the Korean Pavilion.
President Yoon Suk Yol and singer Psy gave presentations in English on Tuesday in Paris, France, to help host the 2030 World Expo in Busan. Heads of global companies accompanied them, and electric vehicles from Hyundai and Kia traveled around Paris to promote the bid.
The Chicago Fair presentation team who did not speak English and put this posting — “Both Korea and Corea are not wrong, but please write Korea” — would not have imagined what Korea would look like 130 years later.
The author is a political news editor of the JoongAng Ilbo.
In the 1880s, interest in the World’s Exposition grew in the Joseon Dynasty. The influence of Hansung Sunbo and Hansung Jubo — government newspapers created to introduce new culture and promote enlightenment policies — was significant. An article in Hansung Sunbo in 1884 reported, “There is nothing lacking in fancy goods and local products, and visitors can broaden knowledge by viewing unfamiliar items.” Considering that it is a mouthpiece of the government, it shows that the kingdom also was interested in the international exposition at the time.
Joseon officially participated in the 1883 World Expo in Chicago for the first time. Thirteen people were dispatched. They arrived in Chicago after a 35-day-long journey from Jemulpo, Incheon. Of the 13 people dispatched, 10 were members of the Korean traditional music troupe. King Gojong sent them with a plan to play the music when then U.S. President Grover Cleveland passed by the Korean Pavilion on the opening day.
After completing their mission, they returned home two days later. They could not stay longer due to the cost of accommodation. That was how the first Korean traditional music performance in the West was concluded.
The remaining three staffers exhibited items such as cotton cloth, bamboo shades, straw baskets and cabinets inlaid with nacre, also known as the mother-of-pearl. They looked out of place. The Chicago Expo was held to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ discovery of the Americas. It was a place where the U.S. got over the inferiority complex of Europe and showed off its technology and cultural level.
There was also an exhibition hall called “Anthropology Hall,” which displayed the racial superiority of white Americans. Japan decorated a vast exhibition hall and attracted the attention of American visitors.
In the arena of imperialist powers, the exhibition of a country swayed by imperial power looked shabby. Yoon Chi-ho, who had just graduated from Emory University at the time, wrote in his diary that he was “heartbroken” to see the Korean Pavilion.
President Yoon Suk Yol and singer Psy gave presentations in English on Tuesday in Paris, France, to help host the 2030 World Expo in Busan. Heads of global companies accompanied them, and electric vehicles from Hyundai and Kia traveled around Paris to promote the bid.
The Chicago Fair presentation team who did not speak English and put this posting — “Both Korea and Corea are not wrong, but please write Korea” — would not have imagined what Korea would look like 130 years later.
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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