Yi Sun-shin Exhibition sets Visitor Record for National Museum of Korea
An exhibition on Admiral Yi Sun-shin (1545-1598) at the National Museum of Korea has drawn more than 300,000 visitors in less than three months, setting a record for an exhibit centered on Korean history and cultural heritage.
The museum said Thursday that its exhibition, “Our Yi Sun-shin,” which opened on Nov. 28, 2025, surpassed 305,142 visitors as of Wednesday, its 83rd day. The exhibition is averaging about 3,700 people per day. More than 110,000 people visited during the Lunar New Year holiday alone, according to the museum.
“Our Yi Sun-shin” features 258 artifacts totaling 369 items, such as the handwritten war diary “Nanjung Ilgi,” Yi’s swords, copies of reports submitted to the king compiled later as “Imjin Jangcho” and a collection of letters sent by Yi. The immersive exhibition, which combines video, audio and interactive elements, has drawn praise for resonating across generations and nationalities.
“This achievement shows that the narrative and emotional power of our cultural heritage have global competitiveness,” said Yoo Hong-jun, the director of the National Museum of Korea.
Main Image: ″The Great Admiral Yi Sun-sin″ exhibition at the National Museum of Korea [NATIONAL MUSEUM OF KOREA]