The National Museum of Korea held its annual cosplay contest awards ceremony on Saturday, celebrating participants who transformed ancient Korean artifacts into elaborate costumes and props. The event honored 10 finalists who were selected on September 16th from a pool of 83 participating teams, all of whom submitted creative recreations of the museum's historical treasures.
Among the most notable entries was a team with the creative name "If It Hangs on the Ear, It's an Earring," which crafted an impressive recreation of golden earrings from the Silla Dynasty (57 B.C. - A.D. 935). Their costume was inspired by the famous Gyeongju Hwango-dong Golden Earrings, showcasing the intricate craftsmanship of ancient Korean jewelry. Another standout team called "Human Hojakdo" featured three members who dressed as characters from traditional folk paintings, specifically recreating the tiger and magpies from Hojakdo, a popular art style from the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910).
The awards ceremony also featured visitors who came dressed in costumes resembling Korea's ancient artifacts, with participants wearing masks inspired by stone-carved Buddha heads from the Unified Silla Dynasty (668-935). These attendees were eligible for the "Best Dresser" award, and 20 selected participants received cultural merchandise from the National Museum of Korea as recognition for their creativity and effort.
Adding entertainment value to the ceremony, male dancers performed while dressed as the Saja Boys, fictional characters from Netflix's popular animated film "KPop Demon Hunters." The dancers showcased choreographed performances and posed for photos with visitors, bridging the gap between traditional Korean culture and contemporary entertainment. The event successfully demonstrated how historical artifacts can be brought to life through creative interpretation, making ancient Korean culture more accessible and engaging for modern audiences.
