Chuncheon Kwon Jin-kyu Museum of Art: The Joy of a Weekend Outing
Chuncheon Outskirts, nestled in a quiet area, Kwon Jin-kyu Museum of Art is a great place to visit during the autumn foliage season, with its beautiful mountain scenery as a backdrop. At first, I wondered if people would actually come to such a remote location, but upon arrival, I was surprised to see it bustling with families. It was fascinating to see how everyone found their way here.
The area around the museum wasn’t just an exhibition space; it formed a small town with a large parking lot, a bakery, a jjimjilbang (Korean sauna), a steakhouse, and an jade experience center. It seemed to be called ‘Dalasil’.
From Iron Man to Various Characters: An Intriguing Museum Entrance
An Iron Man sculpture greeted visitors at the museum entrance, seemingly a thoughtful touch for families with children. As you go up, various characters guard the entrance, and an admission fee of 10,000 won is charged from the 2nd to the 4th floor.
Amazing Stories Told Through Thousands of Miniature Collections
Inside the museum, a collection of what appeared to be thousands of miniatures captivated the eyes of both children and adults. I was amazed again to learn that one person had collected all of these. Upon inquiring at the information desk, I was told they were collected over a long period.
I spotted nostalgic robots like Mazinger, Robot Taekwon V, Tetsujin 28-go, and Z-Chappie. I looked for “Katchan,” which I used to enjoy watching as a child, but was a bit disappointed to find only a small model. The miniature figure of “Jumeok-Daejang” (Fist Captain) and various versions of Wonder Woman were also impressive. In particular, a certain Wonder Woman statue gave off a cool yet warm feeling from its eyes, making me want to own it, but it was difficult to find even with an internet search.
Given that vintage miniatures can now fetch tens of millions of won, I realized that collecting miniatures could be more than just a hobby; it could be a valuable asset.
Artist Kwon Jin-kyu’s Artistic World and the Charm of Terracotta
After viewing the miniatures, I proceeded to explore the works of artist Kwon Jin-kyu, the museum’s primary focus. To fully appreciate the art, I minimized photography. In addition to Kwon Jin-kyu’s works, various paintings were also on display.
I particularly gained insight into why artist Kwon Jin-kyu was so captivated by terracotta works. It made me think deeply about the charm of terracotta, and I found myself wishing to try sculpting or working with terracotta in a house with a large yard someday.
A Special Exhibition for a Competition with a 100 Million Won Grand Prize
I also learned that for the entire month of November 2017, the Kwon Jin-kyu Museum of Art would be exhibiting works by 20 artists selected through a year-long competition. In this exhibition, the grand prize winner would be determined by the votes of paying visitors, with a staggering grand prize of 100 million won. This news made me plan to visit again in November.
A Bakery and Surrounding Facilities Enhancing the Museum Outing Experience
After finishing my tour, I headed to the bakery to satisfy my hunger and have some coffee. Freshly baked bread was on display, and the staff were dressed in outfits suitable for children’s eye level. Some artworks were interspersed within the bakery, continuing the museum’s ambiance.
Many visitors were dressed in hiking attire, suggesting a diverse range of visitors drawn to the museum, harmonizing with the surrounding natural environment.
Outside, there was a space designed like a small park, where we could also see ponies. There was also a jjimjilbang and an jade experience center, but we didn’t visit them this time and headed home. My Saturday afternoon at Chuncheon Kwon Jin-kyu Museum of Art was a comfortable and enjoyable time.
