The “Hwarot,” a symbol of Korean tradition and culture, is set to be showcased to the public, thanks to a generous donation from BTS’ RM. On September 15, the National Palace Museum of Korea will open a special exhibition. “Hwarot in Full Bloom, Joseon Royal Women’s Wedding Dress.” It’s a deep dive into the history and significance of the Hwarot.
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What is a ‘Hwarot’?
Traditionally worn by princesses and other members of the nobility during formal ceremonies in the Joseon Dynasty, the Hwarot later became a popular wedding dress. Currently, only 40 Hwalots exist worldwide, with RM’s contribution playing a significant role in preserving one of them. In September 2022, he donated 100 million KRW (approximately 75,000 USD) to the Overseas Cultural Heritage Foundation. RM did the same thing in 2021, but it wasn’t until this year that word of his generosity came to light.
According to reports, the only request BTS’ RM made was that the foundation put his contributions toward preserving, restoring, and utilizing cultural assets abroad. So it was that the foundation fell to work with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) to preserve a Hwarot. People believe artisans crafted this Hwarot back in the early 20th century. Art collector Bella Mabury donated it to LACMA in 1939. Its intricate designs make it a captivating piece for comparison and examination.
In 2022, an Overseas Cultural Heritage Foundation official said it would take around five months to restore the Hwalot to its former glory. Now that it’s in good condition, there are plans to exhibit it in LACMA next year. But it’ll stay in Gyeongbokgung Palace until December 13, surrounded by eight other exquisite Hwarots from the Joseon Dynasty. Reports say Princess Bokon, King Sunjo’s second daughter, wore one. “Visitors to the exhibit can feel the Hwarot’s beauty and the hopes for a happy life contained within it,” the museum shared.
What else is BTS’ RM up to?
But the philanthropy displayed by BTS’ RM doesn’t stop there. In a bid to introduce the beauty of Korean paintings to the world, his donation will fund the production of a catalog introducing Korean paintings. The Overseas Cultural Heritage Foundation plans to collaborate with experts to produce a catalog of Korean paintings scattered in galleries and museums worldwide. It’s unknown when and where this catalog will be distributed. But given BTS’ RM and his global popularity, it’ll surely boost interest in Korean cultural assets abroad.
RM’s dedication to preserving Korean heritage is commendable. As a foundation official said, “We’ll work with RM to spread interest in preserving and utilizing Korean cultural assets abroad.” Through his actions, BTS’ RM showcases the beauty of his country’s culture and sets an example for others to follow. – K-Pop News Writer
Featured Image: RM’s generosity helped preserve and restore an archaeological treasure. Source: Twitter/@kaerwyns.
