Giant Ryan and Choonsik "Bangasayusang" statues have appeared in the Open Plaza of the National Museum of Korea.
The National Museum of Korea (Director Yoo Hong-jun) announced that it will host "NMK Outing," a four-day event for family visitors, from May 2 to 5 in celebration of Children's Day. "This event features diverse programs spanning the Open Plaza, Mirror Pond Plaza, and Permanent Exhibition Hall, so that visitors can enjoy a full day of sightseeing, hands-on experiences, and learning at the museum," the museum said.
The biggest attraction is a 10-meter-tall "Banga-Ra-Choon-Sang" photo spot in the Open Plaza, created in collaboration with Kakao Friends. Two of the museum's signature National Treasures — the Gilt-bronze Pensive Maitreya Bodhisattva statues — have been reimagined as Ryan and Choonsik. The Pensive Bodhisattva with a Tower-shaped Crown (National Treasure No. 78) takes the form of Ryan, while the Pensive Bodhisattva with a Three-Peaked Crown (National Treasure No. 83) appears as Choonsik.
This marks the second time the National Museum of Korea has produced a character version of the Pensive Bodhisattva, following a 2023 collaboration featuring Line Friends' "Brown."
A "White Porcelain Choon Jar (Choonsik Moon Jar)" photo spot has also been set up around the Mirror Pond, allowing children and families to make special memories in one of the museum's iconic spaces. The unique scenery blending cultural heritage with beloved characters is expected to enhance the joy of a Children's Day museum visit.
At the Open Plaza, a fusion gugak (Korean traditional music) performance featuring "Akdan Gwangchil" will be held at 3 p.m. on May 2. On Children's Day, May 5, visitors can enjoy a rich lineup of performances including tall-clown balloon art, a bubble magic show, the Miracle Boys Ensemble, and a K-pop dance performance by YouTuber Sumile.
Family-oriented cultural experience programs will also be offered. The experience booths at the Open Plaza will feature "My Own NMK Treasure Exhibit," "NMK Treasure Postcard Making," and the "MU:DS x Kakao Friends Cultural Merchandise Experience."
The popular Children's Museum will run "A Look Inside the Children's Museum," built around 42 hands-on exhibits under the theme of "Discovery and Empathy." The program, designed to help children experience cultural heritage in an easy and engaging way, is open to visitors with reservations for the third time slot on May 5 and every Wednesday in May.
At the Permanent Exhibition Hall, visitors can enjoy "NMK Treasure Hunt," a QR stamp tour that guides them through the hall's key artifacts. Participants find items on a map and collect five cards.
"Children's Day Mission! Find the Treasure Stickers" will be held twice at the Permanent Exhibition Hall, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on May 5. Participants can pick up mission sheets at the NMK Cultural Heritage Education Cart along the Path of History, and those who complete the mission will receive souvenirs on a first-come, first-served basis (400 per session).
A special Children's Day docent program will also be offered. A "Children's Day Special Tour" for families with elementary school children will be held once, from 1:30 to 2:10 p.m. on May 5. Online reservations open April 28 via the National Museum of Korea's website.
On the same day, from 2 to 3:10 p.m., a "Children's Day Museum Garden Walk" will be offered to the first 10 families (including children) to sign up. The program invites children to explore the museum garden's native plants and outdoor stone artifacts at their eye level, offering a chance to learn about nature and cultural heritage together on Children's Day. Registration is on site on a first-come, first-served basis.
Additional events such as a book market and food zone will ensure visitors can spend a full day at the museum. During the "NMK Outing" event, 13 children's book sales booths run by independent bookstores will be set up around the Mirror Pond.
Pulmuone Food & Culture will also offer a variety of food through 10 food trucks and booths. The arrangement allows family visitors to enjoy books and food together in the museum's outdoor spaces, relaxing amid the springtime museum scenery.
The National Museum Foundation of Korea has unveiled 17 museum merchandise items (MU:DS) produced in partnership with Kakao Friends. The products are based on signature pieces from the National Museum of Korea's collection, including the Pensive Bodhisattva, Tiger and Magpie painting, Sun, Moon and Five Peaks screen, celadon openwork incense burner with cloisonné design, celadon inlaid prunus vase with cloud and crane design, and Danwon's genre painting album.
Another highlight is the family musical "Taekwon, Fly High," presented by the National Museum Foundation of Korea at "Theater Yong" inside the museum. Tickets are available on TicketLink and NOL Ticket.
"We have prepared the 'NMK Outing' event so that children and families can enjoy a more fun and fulfilling time at the museum this Children's Day," said Yoo Hong-jun, Director of the National Museum of Korea. "I hope our museum will be remembered as a place of enjoyable learning for children and a place of shared memories for family visitors."