What began as a remarkable exhibition—bringing together all six known Silla-dynasty gold crowns for the first time in more than a century—has evolved into a full-scale cultural phenomenon. The Gyeongju National Museum announced this week that its special exhibition, “Silla Gold Crowns, Power and Prestige,” will be extended to February 22, 2026, adding 72 days beyond its original December 14 closing date.
A Silla-era (57 B.C.–A.D. 935) gold crown from the Hwangnam Daechong tomb on display during a media preview for the special exhibition “Silla Gold Crowns: Power and Prestige” at the Gyeongju National Museum on Oct. 27.
The exhibition showcases 20 priceless artifacts, including all six surviving Silla gold crowns and a set of gold belts symbolizing royal authority. Bringing these works together under one roof in Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom, has generated extraordinary public anticipation. Since its opening on November 2, the show has drawn 26,608 visitors in just ten days, despite strict limits on daily attendance.
A further surge of interest appears to have been fueled by an unexpected cultural-diplomatic moment. During a state visit on October 29, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump received a replica of a Silla gold crown, modeled on one of the original treasures now on display. The ceremonial gift, presented alongside South Korea’s highest civilian honor, immediately captured international media attention, transforming the ancient crown into a symbol straddling both the past and the present. The replica’s appearance on the global stage sparked curiosity among the public, motivating many to see the original royal regalia in person.
For many visitors, the Silla gold crowns now embody two intertwined narratives: the refined artistry and royal power of an ancient kingdom, and the modern political theater in which these symbols were momentarily repurposed. Commentators have noted that the crowns carry values of openness and exchange, while museum leadership emphasized that the exhibition’s extension was made so more people could appreciate Silla’s gold culture in a comfortable environment. Long queues forming before opening hours prompted the museum to introduce an online reservation system to handle the overwhelming demand.
The Gyeongju National Museum is showcasing the ″Silla Gold Crowns: Power and Prestige″ exhibition, displaying 20 artifacts, including six gold crowns and gold belts, as shown here. [GYEONGJU NATIONAL MUSEUM]
The crown-gift episode also stirred debate. Some Koreans expressed discomfort over how the gesture was portrayed abroad, particularly when American late-night shows used it for satire. Yet even this controversy underlined how the Silla gold crowns have moved beyond the realm of archaeology into a wider cultural narrative—one that now encompasses diplomacy, tourism, and public imagination.
With the extended schedule now set, the museum has additional capacity to welcome visitors from across the country and overseas. Online reservations open weekly, while same-day tickets are distributed at the gate each morning. The extension offers fresh opportunities for those who missed earlier slots, but also places a responsibility on the museum to sustain both visitor experience and exhibit quality through February.
More broadly, the phenomenon raises larger questions: Can cultural heritage participate in diplomatic spectacle without losing authenticity? Will public interest endure once the novelty of “six crowns reunited” recedes? And could other institutions look to this model—where an unexpected political moment becomes a catalyst for deeper cultural engagement?
For now, the golden crowns of Silla shimmer under museum lights, drawing together the threads of time—from an ancient royal court to a modern exhibition hall, and even, unexpectedly, to the office of an American president.
SayArt.net Kelly.K pittou8181@gmail.com
What began as a remarkable exhibition—bringing together all six known Silla-dynasty gold crowns for the first time in more than a century—has evolved into a full-scale cultural phenomenon. The Gyeongju National Museum announced this week that its special exhibition, “Silla Gold Crowns, Power and Prestige,” will be extended to February 22, 2026, adding 72 days beyond its original December 14 closing date.
A Silla-era (57 B.C.–A.D. 935) gold crown from the Hwangnam Daechong tomb on display during a media preview for the special exhibition “Silla Gold Crowns: Power and Prestige” at the Gyeongju National Museum on Oct. 27.
The exhibition showcases 20 priceless artifacts, including all six surviving Silla gold crowns and a set of gold belts symbolizing royal authority. Bringing these works together under one roof in Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom, has generated extraordinary public anticipation. Since its opening on November 2, the show has drawn 26,608 visitors in just ten days, despite strict limits on daily attendance.
A further surge of interest appears to have been fueled by an unexpected cultural-diplomatic moment. During a state visit on October 29, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump received a replica of a Silla gold crown, modeled on one of the original treasures now on display. The ceremonial gift, presented alongside South Korea’s highest civilian honor, immediately captured international media attention, transforming the ancient crown into a symbol straddling both the past and the present. The replica’s appearance on the global stage sparked curiosity among the public, motivating many to see the original royal regalia in person.
For many visitors, the Silla gold crowns now embody two intertwined narratives: the refined artistry and royal power of an ancient kingdom, and the modern political theater in which these symbols were momentarily repurposed. Commentators have noted that the crowns carry values of openness and exchange, while museum leadership emphasized that the exhibition’s extension was made so more people could appreciate Silla’s gold culture in a comfortable environment. Long queues forming before opening hours prompted the museum to introduce an online reservation system to handle the overwhelming demand.
The Gyeongju National Museum is showcasing the ″Silla Gold Crowns: Power and Prestige″ exhibition, displaying 20 artifacts, including six gold crowns and gold belts, as shown here. [GYEONGJU NATIONAL MUSEUM]
The crown-gift episode also stirred debate. Some Koreans expressed discomfort over how the gesture was portrayed abroad, particularly when American late-night shows used it for satire. Yet even this controversy underlined how the Silla gold crowns have moved beyond the realm of archaeology into a wider cultural narrative—one that now encompasses diplomacy, tourism, and public imagination.
With the extended schedule now set, the museum has additional capacity to welcome visitors from across the country and overseas. Online reservations open weekly, while same-day tickets are distributed at the gate each morning. The extension offers fresh opportunities for those who missed earlier slots, but also places a responsibility on the museum to sustain both visitor experience and exhibit quality through February.
More broadly, the phenomenon raises larger questions: Can cultural heritage participate in diplomatic spectacle without losing authenticity? Will public interest endure once the novelty of “six crowns reunited” recedes? And could other institutions look to this model—where an unexpected political moment becomes a catalyst for deeper cultural engagement?
For now, the golden crowns of Silla shimmer under museum lights, drawing together the threads of time—from an ancient royal court to a modern exhibition hall, and even, unexpectedly, to the office of an American president.
